Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

121. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which the State can address the problem of producers avoiding their obligation under Extended Producer Responsibility rules by selling into Ireland by way of distant sales via third-country retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50168/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Producer Responsibility legislation is designed to ensure that producers of relevant goods contribute to the costs of collecting and recycling these goods when they are no longer in use. Ensuring all obligated producers pay their share is critical to the credibility and success of these schemes, known as Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPRs). In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local authorities both have enforcement roles under the legislation. Those bodies work together and with the EPR organisations to ensure compliance in the Irish market.

Distance sellers by virtue of their number and location present a particular challenge for EPR scheme compliance in Ireland and across the EU.

This is a critical issue for EPR. Free-riding distance sellers enjoy a cost advantage over their counterparts who have paid their EPR fees. Ensuring a level playing field across different business models is vital for fairness for EU producers.

The Department is working closely with the EPA and other stakeholders to tackle this issue systemically and at the level of individual operators. Recent circular economy legislation for batteries and packaging waste, refers Member States to provisions of the recent EU Digital Services Act. Whether such provisions are suitable to address non-compliance by distance sellers is being actively explored.

Furthermore, the European Commission is preparing a legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act to be published next year. This represents an opportunity for the EU to strengthen enforcement around this issue. Ireland will support measures proposed to promote fair competition in the EU market.