Ireland EPR: Requirements for Producers and Importers（2025 New requirements)

Ireland implements Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to manage various waste streams. Based on the “polluter pays” principle, EPR systems have been established across seven waste categories, including packaging, batteries, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), tires, agricultural plastics, and single-use plastics.

Among these, the EPR programs for WEEE, batteries, packaging, and ELVs are based on EU directives, while the other EPR programs are governed by Irish national regulations.

This article provides an overview of Ireland’s key EPR compliance requirements. If you plan to import goods into Ireland, it is essential to understand the applicable EPR obligations in advance to avoid potential penalties.

Quick Overview 

Battery Regulations: 

Producers must register annually with the Irish national authority, submit monthly declarations on the types and quantities of batteries placed on the Irish market, and ensure compliance with hazardous substance restrictions and labeling requirements under the battery regulations.

WEEE:

Different requirements apply to B2B and B2C businesses, but all WEEE products must be marked with the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol, CE marking, and RoHS compliance labeling.

Packaging:

Non-Irish entities are not required to register but may do so voluntarily.

Tires:

Irish authorities have extended EPR obligations for tires to all categories, meaning all tire manufacturers and distributors must participate and fulfill compliance duties.

Ireland: Who Must Comply with EPR?

All businesses selling electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and batteries on the Irish market (including online/remote sales) must comply with Irish EPR regulations. Key obligations include registration, reporting, and fulfilling recycling responsibilities.

For packaging producers, registration under the Irish Packaging Act is mandatory only if all the following conditions are met:

• The company has a legal entity in Ireland.
• Annual turnover exceeds €1 million.
• The company places over 10 tonnes of packaging materials, packaging, or packaged products on the Irish market.

Note: Companies with annual turnover below €1 million or placing less than 10 tonnes of packaging on the market are not required to register but may do so voluntarily.

Key EPR Compliance Requirements in Ireland: Batteries, WEEE, Packaging and Tires

Batteries: 

Producers with EPR obligations under the Battery Regulations must either submit a 3-year battery waste management plan to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or join an approved Irish compliance scheme. Additionally, monthly reporting of battery sales data is required.

 WEEE:

• B2B businesses must submit a 3-year waste management plan to the EPA and provide an annual waste management report.
• B2C businesses must join a compliance organization, provide consumers with information on recycling services, and submit monthly WEEE sales reports by the 19th of each month.

All WEEE products should display the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol, CE marking, and RoHS compliance labeling, and WEEE sales reports must be submitted monthly by the 19th.

Packaging: 

Not all packaging producers are required to register under the Irish Packaging Act. If your company has a local subsidiary in Ireland, a valid Irish VAT number, and meets the turnover (€1M+) and tonnage (10T+) thresholds, then registration, reporting, and recycling obligations are mandatory.

Tires: 

Starting January 1, 2025, the Irish EPR system will expand to cover all tire categories, ensuring sustainable disposal solutions for used tires. Currently, the scope includes passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and motorcycle tires, with plans to include buses, trucks, agricultural, construction, and industrial tires. All tire manufacturers and distributors must comply with EPR obligations.