We have received a communication from the Environmental Protection Agency which highlights the fact that it is prohibited – since July 2021 – to place certain single use plastic (SUP) products on the market in Ireland. The European Union (Single Use Plastics) (No.2) Regulations 2021 as amended is the relevant legislation. In accordance with this legislation placing on the market refers to the manufacture and/or importation of these products and making available for sale for the first time in the state. These prohibited SUP products include cotton bud sticks and straws.
It should be noted that the prohibition applies to the ‘placing on the market’ and not to retail selling. Retailers and pharmacies can continue to sell existing stocks of cotton bud sticks (and other prohibited SUP products) provided these stocks were purchased prior to the cut-off date of July 2021. However, newly purchased stock must not include the prohibited SUP product types.
Since July 2021, certain products require labelling in accordance with the SUP Regulations. These products include moist towelettes/wet wipes. Again, existing stocks can be sold until exhausted, but new orders must contain only the correctly labelled products.
You are encouraged to discuss these requirements with your suppliers to ensure that you are only purchasing compliant products.
