Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
12. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the agency or body that has been designated as the competent authority responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in Ireland. [28824/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific preparatory actions that have been undertaken by his Department and relevant agencies to support the application of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation from 12 August 2026. [28825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra14. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has developed, or intends to publish a national implementation plan, roadmap or guidance for stakeholders in advance of the application of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. [28826/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13 and 14 together.
The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) represents a step change in approaches to managing packaging. While it will start to apply generally from 12 August this year, its introduction is staggered over a number of years through 2030 and beyond. In addition, much of the detail required for full implementation will be elaborated in EU secondary legislation, in the form of Implementing and Delegated Acts that have yet to be negotiated.
Repak, as the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for packaging in Ireland representing producers affected by the change in legislation, has a key role to play in PPWR implementation. I recently renewed Repak’s approval to operate as packaging EPR scheme in Ireland for a period of 10 years. This extended period aligns with the period of rollout of measures in the PPWR and will afford continuity for stakeholders in both the private and public sectors as the significant changes introduced by PPWR are implemented. The new approval reflects the changes arising from PPWR, with requirements in relation to data gathering, reporting, cooperation with regulatory authorities, fee modulation, packaging minimisation and reuse, and awareness raising. It has also been framed so as to allow for flexibility to respond to the specificities of PPWR as further clarity is delivered through emerging EU secondary legislation.
As part of its work to ready the packaging sector for PPWR, Repak has prepared a guide to the new legislation which is available online (https://repak.ie/news-room/reports/), and a portal for members to submit queries. A dedicated team within Repak is rolling out a series of webinars for packaging producers on PPWR over the coming months and is available to deal with queries on a one-to-one basis. Repak is also working on a number of initiatives in the area of reuse and packaging waste prevention, in line with the emphasis in PPWR on measures further up the supply chain than recycling. These include a new Prevention and Reuse Strategy, and the development of a ‘matchmaker platform’ to connect suppliers of reusable packaging with operators seeking to move their packaging to reusable options.
Competent authorities for PPWR implementation were designated last year as required by PPWR. Those designations may be updated closer to the point of application when the secondary EU legislation is agreed. The European Union (Packaging and Packaging Waste)(Designation of Competent Authorities) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No 541/2025) lists the designations.
