130. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the existing major producer thresholds of €1 million annual turnover and 10 tonnes of packaging placed on the market continue to apply following the application of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 from 12 August 2026; whether micro-enterprises below those thresholds are now required to register as producers under Article 44 of that Regulation; the guidance that has been published for micro-enterprise and sole-trader online retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61091/26]

166. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the existing "major producer" thresholds of €1 million annual turnover and 10 tonnes of packaging placed on the market continue to apply following the application of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 from 12 August 2026; whether micro-enterprises below those thresholds are now required to register as producers under Article 44 of that Regulation; the guidance that has been published for micro-enterprise and sole-trader online retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62114/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 166 together.

Prior to the application of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) on 12 August 2026, packaging producers in Ireland were subject to the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014 which gave effect to the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). Under the 2014 regulations, businesses with an annual turnover exceeding €1 million and placing more than 10 tonnes of packaging on the Irish market were classified as ‘major producers’. The domestic regulations required these producers to join Repak, the approved Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). Many micro and small businesses fell below the ‘major producer’ threshold.

PPWR has now replaced those national ‘major producer’ thresholds with new requirements that apply to all who meet the new definition of ‘producer’ contained in the PPWR. In general, producer obligations will fall to the economic operator who places the packaging on the EU market for the first time, whether a manufacturer, importer, or distributor.

Some smaller businesses may now have EPR obligations for the first time i.e. where they package products themselves, produce products under their own brand, or have packaging designed or manufactured on their behalf. Micro-enterprises, again as defined under PPWR, if they meet the definition of ‘producer’, are required to join Repak but will be subject to reduced reporting obligations.

The availability of clear and consistent guidance is a vital support to implementation of the PPWR which is complex and a significant departure from the earlier PPWD. Given the importance of achieving a harmonised approach across the European Union, the European Commission has published guidance and Frequently Asked Questions on the interpretation and application of PPWR. This is vital to provide greater clarity for businesses and member states.

EU Commission Guidance document on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is available at this link:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_664.

EU Commission FAQs updated on 3rd August 2026 are available at this link:

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/faq-packaging-and-packaging-waste-regulation-ppwr_en.

In Ireland, Repak's online PPWR Hub includes a range of support tools for businesses, including a Producer Self-Assessment Tool and a Packaging Classification Tool. These resources assist businesses in determining whether they are considered a producer under the PPWR and whether particular items fall within the Regulation's definition of packaging. Repak has also introduced a dedicated online sellers' portal to support businesses affected by the new requirements.

Repak’s PPWR guidance is available at the following link: https://repak.ie/ppwr/.