Cyprus
Where fishing gear EPR stands in Cyprus
Fishing gear EPR in Cyprus is a duty on paper without a system behind it. The 2022 amendment (Law 48(I)/2022) bolted Part VIA onto the 2011 Waste Law and transposed the SUP Directive's fishing-gear EPR into Art 36B. No approved collection scheme or PRO has been identified on official pages.
The Cypriot definition of a producer
You would count as a producer if you place plastic-containing fishing gear on the Cypriot market. That means makers, importers, and distance sellers.
Once a scheme runs, producers will cover the cost of collection at ports, transport, treatment and awareness. Today there is nothing to pay into because no scheme exists.
What to do now in Cyprus
There is no scheme to join, no fee to pay, and no register to file into for fishing gear. The legal duty is transposed, but the operational machinery is missing.
| What exists | What is missing |
|---|---|
| Legal duty in Part VIA Art 36B | Approved collection scheme or PRO |
| Producer definition (plastic-containing gear) | Published fee or tariff |
| Enforcement powers in Waste Law 185(I)/2011 | Operational registration process |
The practical move now is to keep records of fishing gear placed on the Cypriot market and watch for the Department of Environment to approve a scheme.
See the single-use plastics rules in Cyprus, which come from the same directive, and EPR in Cyprus for the broader picture.
Frequently asked questions about Cypriot fishing gear EPR
Questions gear sellers ask about the Cypriot system.
Who has to register for fishing gear EPR in Cyprus?
Producers of fishing gear containing plastic, meaning makers, importers and distance sellers placing it on the Cypriot market. The duty is in law (Part VIA Art 36B), but no approved scheme or register exists yet.
Is there a threshold or exemption for small producers?
No threshold or small-producer exemption is published for fishing gear in Cyprus. Once a scheme runs, the duty is expected to attach to any producer placing plastic-containing gear on the market.
Do foreign or online sellers need an authorised representative in Cyprus?
Not yet in practice. No authorised representative mechanism is established for this stream in Cyprus. When a scheme becomes operational, the rules for foreign sellers should follow.
What changes next for fishing gear EPR in Cyprus?
The missing piece is an approved collection scheme. The EU deadline (end of 2024) has passed, making this overdue. The Department of Environment will need to license a scheme before any registration, fees or reporting become live.
