Consultation on removing the self-compliance option for packaging producers under the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014

The European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 place obligations on producers that put packaging on the Irish market. These include separating packaging waste by material type, collecting and treating packaging waste. Producers must also provide certain information on the weight of this packaging and packaging that is destined for reuse.

The Regulations place additional obligations on producers who generate a certain amount of packaging. These major producers currently have the option of self-complying with a local authority, or becoming members of an approved body (Repak) for the recovery of packaging and packaging waste.

The Programme for Government (PfG), published in June 2020, committed to strengthen the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model for packaging, to ensure the coverage of the full net costs related to the separate collection and treatment of the end-of-life products. It also committed to end self-compliance as an option under EPR, to ensure that all producers are equitably treated and to remove potential loopholes.

As a first step, net costs were introduced into Irish law in 2020 and reflected in the approval for Repak. To deliver on the PfG commitment, we have developed draft regulations which provide for the removal of the self-compliance option from the Packaging Regulations by the end of December 2022.

The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback on these draft regulations and identify any potential issues which may arise before any Regulations are signed into law by the Minister.

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm Friday 28 October 2022

Submissions should be sent by email to PRI@decc.gov.ie or by post to:

Packaging Regulations Consultation

PRI Unit

Circular Economy Materials Management Division

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Newtown Rd

Wexford

Y35AP90

We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. All submissions and feedback will be considered before the final version of the Packaging Regulations are published.

Please note that responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Please also note that we intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact personal data prior to publication. In responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information or confidential information which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains how and when we collect personal data, why we do so and how we treat this information. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.

Industry Submissions

Group/Organisation Submissions

Public Consultation Report