Risk, consequence and contingency planning

Recycling Victoria is now part of EPA

Not only the pollution and waste regulator, EPA now has an expanded role in Victoria’s transition to a circular economy.

A strengthened EPA will give the waste and recycling sector one clear regulatory framework, instead of several agencies with overlapping roles. This will deliver improved outcomes for the community, industry and the environment.

Your regulatory obligations will not change. Responsible entities are still required to manage risks under the CERCC Plan as detailed in the CE Act.

Circular Economy Risk, Consequence and Contingency Plan

The Circular Economy Risk, Consequence and Contingency Plan (CERCC Plan) is a state-wide plan for the waste, recycling and resource recovery sector.

It brings together government and industry in a shared commitment to provide Victorians with greater confidence in the reliability of waste, recycling and resource recovery services.

The CERCC Plan outlines serious risks in the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry that may disrupt services and how sector participants must mitigate them.

A CERCC Plan remains in force until revoked or updated through the publication of a subsequent plan on approval of the Minister.

Responsible entities

Responsible entities provide essential waste, recycling or resource recovery services that, if disrupted, present a serious risk to service continuity or Victoria’s progress towards a more circular economy.

If you provide essential waste, recycling or resource recovery services, you must assess whether you are a responsible entity and notify EPA. You must do this within 60 calendar days of publication of the CERCC Plan, or whenever a change in your circumstances means you meet the responsible entity criteria.

You must review your circumstances regularly, particularly when contracts or service offerings change. Each CERCC Plan updates the amount of waste managed in Victoria. You must use this information to assess your market share and responsible entity status.

If you determine that you are no longer a responsible entity, you must notify us of this change. If your status has not changed, you do not need to notify us again.

Download the responsible entity notification form and email it to responsible.entity@epa.vic.gov.au.

Responsible Entity Risk, Consequence and Contingency Plan (RERCC Plan)

Responsible entities must prepare a Responsible Entity Risk, Consequence and Contingency Plan (RERCC Plan) that is aligned to the CERCC Plan and submit this by 30 November 2026.

RERCC Plans must identify risks of serious failure, disruption or hinderance to the provision of waste, recycling or resource recovery services. RERCC Plans must specify the actions that the responsible entity is taking, or proposes to take, to prevent or minimise such risks and respond to measures in the CERCC Plan.

RERCC Plans remain in force until submission of a subsequent RERCC Plan.

Publication of a new edition of the CERCC Plan does not alter the requirement for responsible entities to comply with their existing RERCC Plan until a new RERCC plan is submitted.

Compliance

EPA takes a risk-based, proportionate and graduated approach to non-compliance. Compliance and enforcement action will be undertaken in accordance with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021.

To receive a copy of our policy, please contact us by emailing responsible.entity@epa.vic.gov.au.