The EU Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) aims to reduce the environmental impact caused by single use plastics and targets the 10 most commonly found single use plastic items on European beaches which includes beverage containers and their caps/lids.
The Directive was adopted in June 2019 and measures are being introduced on a phased basis in accordance with the timeline set out in the Directive. The first mandatory measure came into effect in July 2021, when a ban was placed on a range of single use items such as plastic cutlery, plates and straws. Much longer implementation dates were provided in the Directive for measures that impact product design or production, such as tethered caps, to ensure those businesses have sufficient time to make the necessary adjustments to their manufacturing processes.
The tethered cap requirement is coming into effect across the EU on 3rd July 2024 and, from that date, only plastic beverage containers where the cap/lid remains firmly attached to the product during use can be placed on the market. I have engaged previously with industry on SUPD measures, including the Irish Beverage Council at Ibec, however I have not been made aware of specific difficulties relating to tethered caps. I note these caps are already increasing in circulation.
While my Department engages regularly with EU colleagues on implementation of the Directive through a Technical Adaptation Committee, no issues in relation to tethered caps have been raised at that forum.
