The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024
Overview
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 aim to address the environmental concerns associated with disposable vapes. These regulations are part of a broader effort to reduce waste, encourage recycling, and minimise environmental harm caused by single-use vape products. They impose new responsibilities on manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to ensure proper disposal and recycling of these products.
Key requirements include:
- Producer Responsibility: Manufacturers of single-use vapes must ensure that their products are recyclable and contribute to a recycling scheme. They must take responsibility for the collection and disposal of waste from their products. Companies are also required to finance the collection, treatment, and recycling of disposable vapes, ensuring that they are not disposed of in landfill.
- Retailer Obligations: Retailers are required to provide clear information on how consumers should dispose of single-use vapes, ensuring proper recycling and reducing litter. Some retailers will be required to set up in-store collection points for used vapes, encouraging consumers to return them for recycling.
- Recycling and Waste Management: The regulations introduce a deposit return scheme for single-use vapes, where consumers pay a small deposit when purchasing a vape, which is refunded when the product is returned for recycling. Retailers and manufacturers must ensure that adequate recycling facilities are available to support this scheme.
- Environmental Impact and Design: Manufacturers are encouraged to design vapes that are easier to recycle, using materials that can be processed more efficiently. The regulations promote the use of sustainable materials to reduce the environmental impact of these products.
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 will come into force fully on the 1st of June 2025 and apply to Wales.
Do the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 affect my business?
The environmental implications of these Regulations are broad and significant, particularly for the retail and manufacturing sectors:
- Increased Compliance Costs: Businesses involved in the production, sale, and distribution of single-use vapes will incur costs related to setting up recycling programs and meeting producer responsibility requirements. Retailers will need to invest in collection systems and ensure proper staff training for compliance with the regulations.
- Operational Adjustments: Companies will need to modify their supply chains and product designs to comply with new recycling and waste management protocols. This may include using recyclable materials and ensuring their products can be returned easily.
- Reputation and Market Opportunity: Businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability by complying with these regulations may benefit from enhanced brand reputation and consumer loyalty, particularly among environmentally conscious consumers.
By introducing producer responsibility, recycling schemes, and encouraging sustainable product design, these regulations aim to minimise waste and promote more responsible consumption. While businesses face new compliance costs, the long-term benefits of sustainability, operational efficiency, and enhanced consumer trust will support the transition to more eco-friendly practices in the vaping industry.
Do I need the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 in my ISO Compliance Register?
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 will impact the following businesses and sectors:
- Vape Manufacturers: Manufacturers of single-use vapes are directly impacted, as they are responsible for ensuring that their products are recyclable and part of a waste collection system.
- Retailers: Vape shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores will need to manage the collection and recycling of used vapes, as well as inform customers about disposal options.
- Waste Management Companies: Waste management businesses will play a key role in collecting, processing, and recycling the vapes, creating new business opportunities in the waste disposal sector.
If this includes your business then we strongly recommend adding the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to your ISO Compliance Register.
Legislation related to the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024
Legislation related to the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 include:
- The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024
- The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024
- The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
- Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016
- The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Places (Scotland) Regulations 2006
- The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
- Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005
More information
Visit the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.
Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article to your Register.
