Changes to compliance requirements for Packaging Waste

Since 1997 Irish legislation has placed the responsibility for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste on those who handle packaging at any stage of the supply chain.

• A ‘Producer’ of packaging waste is a business who, for the purpose of trade or otherwise in the course of business sells or otherwise supplies other persons packaging material, packaging or packaged products.  
• 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.  Repak operates Ireland’s only existing approved body for packaging.  The option to ‘self-comply’ under local authority oversight has been removed.

To assist producers impacted by the change, REPAK will provide switcher assistance for ‘major producers’ of packaging waste who previously self-complied.