As part of a review of producer responsibility compliance schemes in Ireland, a specific module examined the structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the management of waste tyres. The report, published for consultation in November 2013 and in final form in April 2014 found:
- a non-compliance rate with the Tyres Regulations of 46%,
- a lack of consistent and accurate data,
- the extant system was not tracking data flows, and
- that between 25% and 50% of waste tyres were not accounted for.
The report recommended, inter alia, that the scope of the existing schemes should be changed to improve the environmentally sound management of waste tyres.
It is against this back drop that I intend introducing the new compliance scheme for tyres in early 2017.
I am very aware of the concerns of the tyre industry regarding the new structures for tyres. Extensive consultation has taken place with the industry since the PRI review report on Tyres and Waste Tyres was published in 2013. In addition, I recently met with the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) and the Independent Tyre Wholesalers and Retailers Association (ITWRA) to discuss their concerns.
The issue of market distortion is a valid concern. In this regard, distance sellers, i.e., those placing tyres on the Irish market but located outside the State, will have the same obligations as any operator based in Ireland. In addition tyres will be a priority area for enforcement in 2017 for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and I will be asking them to give particular attention to the border regions.
