New regulations signed into law this week will place new obligations on major producers of packaging and packaging waste in Ireland.

The amending regulations apply to so-called 'major producers' – companies that place 10 tonnes or more of packaging a year on the market, and have an annual turnover of more than €1 million.

Under the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2020, such producers must become a member of an approved body, as the option to ‘self-comply’ under local-authority oversight has been removed.

Repak operates Ireland’s only existing approved body for packaging.

Packaging targets

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications says that the changes are being introduced to help producers to improve packaging design, education, accountability, and traceability.

It adds that the new system is designed to ensure that all producers play their part in meeting new 2025 and 2030 targets for individual packaging streams – especially plastic.

The regulations, which have been signed by environment minister Eamon Ryan (pictured), come into operation on 1 January 2023.