Businesses in Omagh and across Northern Ireland, as well as those placing packaging on the EU market, should be aware of new requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which applies since 12 August 2026.
The PPWR replaces the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and introduces new measures designed to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability and support a more circular economy across regions including local supply chains in towns such as Omagh.
What does the PPWR cover?
The new requirements are being introduced in phases over the coming years and cover areas including:
- packaging recyclability
- labelling requirements
- restrictions on certain types of single-use packaging
- measures aimed at reducing unnecessary packaging and waste
Businesses in Omagh and elsewhere in Northern Ireland should review the packaging they use and ensure they understand how the new requirements could affect their products, suppliers and wider supply chains.
Which businesses are affected?
The PPWR applies to businesses placing packaging on the market in Northern Ireland or the European Union.
It does not apply in the same way to packaging placed on the market in England, Scotland or Wales.
Businesses trading across different UK and EU markets, including those supplying goods from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland or further into the EU, should therefore be aware that different packaging requirements may apply depending on where their products are being sold.
How does the regulation apply in Northern Ireland?
Under the Windsor Framework, many elements of the PPWR apply in Northern Ireland, including requirements relating to:
- recyclability
- packaging labelling
- restrictions on certain single-use packaging
However, the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) provisions contained within the PPWR do not apply in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland businesses, including those operating in local manufacturing and retail hubs such as Omagh, may still have obligations under the separate UK-wide packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.
Extended Producer Responsibility is designed to make businesses responsible for more of the costs associated with managing and recycling the packaging they place on the market.
What should businesses do now?
Businesses selling packaged products in Northern Ireland or the EU should review their current packaging arrangements and identify any changes that may be required.
It is also important to consider upcoming implementation dates, as additional requirements will be introduced gradually over the coming years. Businesses in areas such as Omagh that supply both local and cross-border markets should pay particular attention to how dual regulatory requirements may affect their operations.
Further information
Businesses can find further guidance on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, including the phased implementation timetable and frequently asked questions, through the relevant government guidance.
Keeping up to date with the requirements now can help businesses prepare for future changes and avoid disruption to their products and supply chains, whether they are based in Omagh, elsewhere in Northern Ireland, or trading across the EU.
Find further information on the regulation, including details of the phased implementation timetable and frequently asked questions
