Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific responsibilities and powers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in relation to the enforcement of take-back obligations on distance sellers to protect consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55589/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The obligations regarding the “take-back” of goods, including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and batteries, are governed by the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 149 of 2014) and the European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 283 of 2014).

These regulations require retailers, including distance sellers, to take back WEEE and waste batteries from consumers free of charge on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis. This applies equally to online purchases, where the seller must arrange for the return of the old item, either by post or another suitable method.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the designated enforcement authority for these regulations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) does not have enforcement powers in relation to take-back obligations under these environmental regulations.

The CCPC’s mandate focuses on consumer protection and competition law, and while it does have responsibilities under the Digital Services Act (DSA) — specifically as the competent authority for Articles 30 to 32 — these provisions impose obligations on online marketplaces that facilitate distance contracts between traders and consumers. They relate to marketplace transparency, trader traceability, compliance by design, and the right to information, but apply to the platforms themselves—not to individual sellers—and do not extend to environmental obligations such as take-back schemes.

While the CCPC does not have enforcement powers in relation to take-back obligations, it can assist consumers by providing information on their rights when purchasing goods online, including guidance on returns, refunds, and complaint procedures. Consumers can contact the CCPC or visit its website for support in resolving disputes with traders.