Circular Economy (Environmental Levy) (Plastic Bag) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 343/2023).

These Regulations establish that from the 1st day of July 2023 there shall be charged, levied and paid a levy (which shall be known as an ‘environmental levy’ and in these Regulations referred to as ‘the levy’) in respect of the supply to customers, at the point of sale to them of goods or products to be placed in the bags, or otherwise of plastic bags in or at any supermarket, service station or any other retail premises. Excepted bags include: plastic bags solely used to contain fresh fish and fresh fish products, fresh meat and fresh meat products, fresh poultry and fresh poultry products, fruit, nuts or vegetables, confectionery, dairy products, cooked food, whether cold or hot, ice (however they need to meet certain size requirements); or plastic bags used to contain goods or products sold on board a ship or aircraft used for carrying; or plastic bags designed for re-use.