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Packaging obligations in Ireland (2026)

Draft

Verified on: 2026-09-01

EU framework: PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026

National: European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 282/2014), most recently substantially amended by the European Union (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 659/2022): since 1 Jan 2023, 'Major Producers' must be members of an approved body; the earlier self-compliance route via the Local Authorities was abolished.

Repak is Ireland's only state-approved packaging compliance scheme; its approval was renewed in 2025/2026 for 10 years (valid 1 Jan 2026 to 30 Sep 2035, reviews in H1 2029 and H1 2032) and is expressly geared to the PPWR transition. Enforcement lies with the Local Authorities (coordinated via the WERLA regional waste enforcement authorities). For single-use beverage bottles (PET) and cans, the Re-turn deposit return scheme has additionally applied since February 2024; DRS packaging is shown separately as 'Non DRS' categories in the Repak 2026 tariff. Which Irish body will operate the PPWR producer register (Art. 44) had not yet been officially designated as at the review date.

Packaging EPR (Ireland)

Anyone placing packaged goods on the Irish market for the first time (including shipping packaging in online retail) falls under the Packaging Regulations 2014. 'Major Producers' – companies with more than €1 million annual turnover AND more than 10 tonnes of packaging per year in Ireland – have had to join Repak, the only approved scheme, and report packaging statistics since 1 Jan 2023. Since 12 Aug 2026, the PPWR obligations (registration under Art. 44, authorised representative for distance sellers under Art. 45) apply alongside, without any volume threshold.

Authorised representative: 
The Irish Packaging Regulations themselves contain no national authorised-representative requirement. Since 12 Aug 2026, however, Art. 45 PPWR requires distance sellers without an establishment in Ireland to appoint an authorised representative established there for the EPR obligations – with no volume threshold. Which Irish body will keep the PPWR producer register had not been designated as at the review date; according to industry sources, national implementation (including the phase-out of the 10-tonne threshold for the registration obligation) has been under way since August 2026. Monitor developments and appoint an authorised representative as a precaution.
Cross-border: 
Foreign online sellers delivering directly to Irish end customers count as the producer for this packaging under the PPWR producer definition. Above the national threshold (€1 million turnover and 10 t of packaging in Ireland) there is an obligation to join Repak as a 'Major Producer'. Below the threshold, the PPWR obligations (registration, authorised representative) nevertheless apply since 12 Aug 2026; under the PPWR, platforms and fulfilment service providers will in future have to check their sellers' compliance. Non-compliance risks enforcement action by the Local Authorities and up to 6 years of back payments ('back fees') for late Repak membership.
Costs: 
Repak fees for 2026 per tonne and material, differentiated by role in the supply chain; for brandholders/importers e.g. €41.60/t (paper/cardboard, recycled), €165.70/t (recyclable plastic), €616.22/t (non-recyclable plastic), €19.14/t (glass). Scheduled Membership (only for bricks-and-mortar direct retailers without imports/own brands) as a turnover-based flat fee. Up to 6 years of back fees for late membership.
Deadlines: 
Obligation to join once the Major Producer threshold is reached (including where exceeding it in the following year is foreseeable); statistics submissions each February and August. PPWR registration and authorised-representative obligations have applied since 12 Aug 2026.

Typical steps

  1. Check whether the 'Major Producer' threshold is met: annual turnover above €1 million AND more than 10 t of packaging (including shipping packaging) on the Irish market.
  2. As a Major Producer, join Repak (Regular Membership for brandholders/importers; apply online at repak.ie, 'Fast Track' option available).
  3. Submit packaging statistics half-yearly: in February (July–December of the previous year) and in August (January–June of the current year).
  4. Budget for possible back payments (back fees, up to 6 years) if joining late.
  5. Without an establishment in Ireland: appoint a PPWR authorised representative (Art. 45) and document the appointment.
  6. Monitor the establishment of the Irish PPWR producer register (Art. 44) and complete registration as soon as it becomes available.
  7. When selling beverages in PET bottles or cans, also check the obligations under the Re-turn deposit return scheme.

Providers for this obligation

Repak Limited

Sources: Repak – Regular Member Guide 2026 (Schwellen, Fees 2026, Statistik-Termine, back fees) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Irish Statute Book – S.I. No. 659/2022 European Union (Packaging) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (accessed 2026-09-01) · gov.ie – Minister Dillon approves 10-year licence for Repak (01.01.2026–30.09.2035) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Lexology – Important Changes for 'Major Producers' (Abschaffung der Selbst-Compliance zum 01.01.2023) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Pincvision (Dienstleisterquelle) – Auslaufen der 10-Tonnen-Schwelle für Registrierungspflichten ab August 2026 (PPWR) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Repax (Dienstleisterquelle) – PPWR-Produzentenregister/Bevollmächtigter in Irland, Betreiber noch offen (accessed 2026-09-01) · Gramta (Dienstleisterquelle) – Überblick EPR Irland inkl. Re-turn-Pfandsystem (Start Februar 2024) (accessed 2026-09-01)

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Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.