Bulgaria
What sets fishing gear apart in Bulgaria
Fishing gear EPR in Bulgaria is a niche corner of the single-use-plastics rulebook. The 2021 ordinance (ПМС 354/2021) transposing the EU SUP Directive brought plastic-containing fishing gear under its own EPR provision.
Producers have had to register in НИСО since 1 September 2022.
What makes the fee different from tyres or oils is the purpose. The EPR scheme here funds collection, treatment and awareness for gear that ends up as marine litter, not a flat per-unit product fee.
An authorised representative is available under ЗУО чл. 14а for producers established in another EU state, but it is optional rather than a blanket requirement.
Who the fishing gear rules cover in Bulgaria
The duty falls on the first business to place fishing gear containing plastic on the Bulgarian market. Nets, lines, traps and floats all count. There is no volume threshold.
| Duty | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Register | In НИСО with a qualified electronic signature (КЕП) | Within one month of starting |
| Report | Annual НИСО report for the preceding year | By 31 March |
| Comply | Join a recovery organisation or pay the product fee | At registration |
Where the money goes in Bulgaria
The fee funds separate collection and awareness for waste fishing gear containing plastic. No official contribution amount was grounded on a public source. A producer either joins a recovery organisation and pays its tariff, or complies individually with a product fee.
Enforcement runs through ЗУО administrative sanctions. The wider picture across all streams sits on EPR in Bulgaria.
Frequently asked questions about fishing gear EPR in Bulgaria
Short answers to what producers ask most about the Bulgarian rules.
What does fishing gear EPR mean in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria requires producers of plastic-containing fishing gear to register in НИСО and fund collection, treatment and awareness for gear that ends up as marine litter. The scheme has been live since September 2022 under the 2021 SUP ordinance.
Do foreign or online sellers need an authorised representative in Bulgaria?
An authorised representative is available under ЗУО чл. 14а for EU-established producers, but it is optional. Whether a non-EU distance seller must appoint one has not been confirmed for this stream.
When are fishing gear reports due in Bulgaria?
The annual НИСО report for the preceding calendar year is due by 31 March, filed with a qualified electronic signature (КЕП).
What changes next for fishing gear EPR in Bulgaria?
Nothing major is dated beyond what is already in force. The SUP Directive requirement that drove the Bulgarian scheme is fully transposed.
