- What are the Packaging Regulations?
- How do the Regulations affect my Business?
- What types of packaging are specified?
- What is meant by the term "Producer" of Packaging?
- What is meant by the term "A Major Producer" of Packaging?
- What Are Producers Obliged To Do?
- What happens if I do not comply?
What are the Packaging Regulations?
The European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 place some basic obligations on all producers of packaging in Ireland. This includes separating packaging waste by material type, collecting and treating packaging waste, and providing data for national statistics. The amending regulations will not change these primary obligations. The purpose of the Packaging Regulations is to ensure Ireland reaches national recovery and recycling targets as set out by EU Directives.
Under the regulations, packaging means any material, container or wrapping, used for or in connection with the containment, transport, handling, protection, promotion, marketing or sale of any product or substance, including such packaging as may be prescribed.
What types of packaging are specified?
Seven packaging material types are specified in the Regulations as materials that are readily recyclable and should not be placed in landfill. These materials are: Cardboard, Aluminium, Glass, Paper, Plastic sheeting, Steel & Wood.
How do the Regulations affect my Business?
The Regulations impose obligations on all Producers who in the course of their business supply packaging to the Irish market.
All Producers of packaging are obliged to separate it at source into specific waste streams (aluminium, fibreboard, glass, paper, plastic sheeting, steel and wood) and to arrange for its recovery, or return the used packaging to the Supplier, if applicable.
What is meant by the term "producer"of packaging?
Producer is a person who in the course of business supplies packaging material to the Irish market.
A Producer is required to segregate waste on-site for recycling/recovery purposes.
What is meant by the term "a major producer" of packaging?
A ‘major producer’ is a ‘producer’ with an annual turnover greater than €1 million and who supplies packaging / packaged goods onto the Irish market exceeding 10 tonnes per year. Under regulations which came into operation on 1 January 2023, ‘major producers’ of packaging waste are now required to become a member of an approved body.
What are producers obliged to do?
To comply with their obligations under the packaging regulations, 'major producers' are now required to become a member of an approved body. Repak operates Ireland’s only existing approved body for packaging. Previously, producers had the option to 'self-comply' under local authority oversight. However, this has been removed.
To assist producers impacted by the change, REPAK will provide switcher assistance for 'major producers' who previously self-complied.
The new regulations come into operation on 1 January 2023 and the legislation can be found here
What happens if I do not comply
Failure to comply with these Regulations is an offence and can result in a fine and/or prosecution. A person found guilty of an offence shall be liable to:
- Fines of up to €3,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment can apply for breaches of the regulations on summary conviction in the District Court.
Further information
For more information phone the environment section at 057 866 4000 or email environmentadmin@laoiscoco.ie