Ireland
Who the Irish fishing gear rules cover
Fishing gear EPR in Ireland targets a narrow group. The obligation covers producers of plastic-containing fishing gear, meaning whoever first places nets, ropes, traps or floats on the Irish market.
That includes manufacturers, importers and distributors who bring the gear into Ireland for the first time.
No authorised representative route is confirmed for this stream. Unlike electronics and batteries where a distance seller can appoint an Irish AR, fishing gear has no documented AR mechanism in Irish law.
How compliance works in Ireland
Compliance runs through Haul It Back (formerly Reel It Back), the interim PRO approved from 1 January 2025. Producers join the scheme, which funds collection and recycling of end-of-life fishing gear. There is no separate PRL registration for this stream.
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| PRO | Haul It Back (interim approval to 31 Dec 2025) |
| Full-PRO approval for 2026 | Expected but not confirmed |
| 2026 collection target | 500 tonnes |
| Separate register | None (no PRL entry for fishing gear) |
The interim nature of the scheme is the key detail: full approval for 2026 onwards is expected but has not been confirmed on an official source.
Where the money goes in Ireland
Scheme membership contributions fund the collection, transport and recycling of waste fishing gear. Fee amounts are set by Haul It Back and are not published in our sources.
The legal basis is S.I. 612/2022, which transposes the fishing-gear provisions of the EU SUP Directive. Ireland set a 2026 national collection target of 500 tonnes.
What changes next for fishing gear in Ireland
The scheme is still new. Fishing gear EPR only started on 1 January 2025 under Irish EPR, making it the newest active stream. The transition from interim to full PRO approval is the next milestone to watch.
Frequently asked questions about fishing gear EPR in Ireland
The essentials for gear producers.
Who has to register for fishing gear EPR in Ireland?
Producers of plastic-containing fishing gear (nets, ropes, traps, floats) who first place the product on the Irish market. There is no separate PRL registration for this stream.
Is there a threshold or exemption for small producers?
None documented. The obligation applies to all producers of plastic-containing fishing gear.
Do foreign or online sellers need an authorised representative in Ireland?
No fishing-gear-specific AR route is confirmed in Irish official sources. Producers join Haul It Back directly.
What happens if I sell without registering?
Non-compliance with S.I. 612/2022 is enforceable. The EPA supervises the scheme.
