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Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland
Commencement: 1st April 2022
Amends: The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013
The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 writes into legislation that a 25 pence charge must be applied to all single-use carrier bags (supplied new) in Northern Ireland.
The Regulations are made under Sections 77, Section 90, and Schedule 6 of The Climate Change Act 2008.
The charge will apply from 1st April 2022, to all single-use bags, including those made from plastic, paper, plant-based material and natural starch. However, exemptions have been put in place for bags that are used to contain medical products, take-away hot food and drinks and bags used solely for unpackaged food.
250 million single-use carrier bags are consumed in Northern Ireland every year; the introduction of the levy is hoped to reduce this number by 80%. The funds generated by the scheme will be reinvested into environmental projects.
Changes are made to the carrier bag levy.
The definition of ‘net proceeds of the charge’ is updated to reflect the new minimum price sellers are required to charge for new single-use carrier bags. Sellers are required to charge customers at least 25 pence for each carrier bag.
Sellers are also required to keep a record of the new 25 pence charge. The record must include the monetary value and the chargeable VAT resulting from the charge.
The 25 pence levy applies to all new carrier bags with a retail price of £5 or less, regardless of material used and whether they are single-use or reusable.
Charge exemptions are removed for:
*A gusset is an extra piece of fabric which is added to increase the space and strength of a bag.
Single carrier bags are now exempt from the 25 pence charge if they:
The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 are revoked.
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Jurisdiction: England
Commencement: 21st May 2021
Amends: The Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015
The minimum amount that all sellers (i.e. a person who sells goods) must charge for a single use carrier bag in England is increased to 10 pence.
Small retailers, employing less than 250 staff, will no longer be exempt from the obligation to charge for a single use carrier bag.
Airports are now required to charge for single use carrier bags, to reduce their usage and the litter associated with them.
The expiry date of 5th October 2022 is removed from The Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015.
Sealed transit bags (a bag which is intended to be used to carry alcohol or tobacco) are now included in Schedule 2 to the list of excluded bags.
The requirement to report on the number of single-use plastic bags is not extended to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. This obligation remains with large retailers only.
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Jurisdiction: Northern Ireland
Commencement: 1st April 2020
Amends: Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013
The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 introduce a 5 pence charge to be applied to all single use carrier bags (supplied new) in Northern Ireland. The charge applies to all single use bags, including those made from plastic, paper, plant-based material and natural starch.
Single use carrier bags solely used to carry goods supplied by a seller for home delivery, as part of a grocery service, do not need to be charged for between 1st April to 30th September 2020. After this date, large retailers will need to once again charge for single use carrier bags used for home delivery.
This 6 month exemption has been put in place as part of the response to the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.
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Jurisdiction: Wales
Commencement: 8th April 2020
Amends: Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Wales) Regulations 2010
The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Wales) Regulations 2010 introduce a minimum charge of 5 pence for every single use carrier bag supplied new. The charge applies to sales in-store and distance selling.
Single use carrier bags only intended for use to carry goods that have been purchased for delivery as part of a grocery service (e.g. bags used to hold groceries delivered to a household by a supermarket) or for collection of groceries (e.g. click and collect) do not need to be charged for between 8th April 2020 and 8th July 2020. After this date, retailers will need to once again charge a minimum of 5 pence for all single use carrier bags.
This temporary exemption has been put in place as part of the response to the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.
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Jurisdiction: Scotland
Commencement: 2nd April 2020
Amends: Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014
Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014 introduces a 5 pence charge to be applied to all single use carrier bags (supplied new) in Scotland. The charge applies to all single use bags, including those made from plastic, paper, plant-based material and natural starch.
Single use carrier bags solely used to:
will not be charged for, between the 2nd April 2020 to the 3rd October 2020.
After this date these single use carrier bags will revert back to being charged for.
This 6 month exemption has been put in place as part of the response to the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.
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Jurisdiction: England
Commencement: 21st March 2020
Amends: Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015
Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015 brings into force the requirement of retailers with 250 or more employees to charge a minimum amount for unused single use (lightweight) plastic bags used for taking goods out of shops or for delivering them. The amount to be charged to customers for the use of a single use plastic bag is a minimum of 5p.
Single use carrier bags only intended for use to carry goods that have been purchased online for home delivery (e.g. bags used to hold groceries delivered to a household by a supermarket) do not need to be charged for between 21st March 2020 and 21st September 2020. After this date, large retailers will need to once again charge a minimum of 5 pence for single use carrier bags used for home delivery.
This 6 month exemption has been put in place as part of the response to the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.
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