Leitrim retailers warned of vape compliance rules to avoid €2,000 fines

WEE advises retailers to be vigilant about the regulatory landscape of rechargeable vape devices

WEEE Ireland is warning Leitrim retailers to be vigilant about the regulatory landscape surrounding disposable and rechargeable vape devices and e-cigarettes, as non-compliance could result in significant fines and legal consequences.

Launching its Vape Retailer Compliance Awareness Campaign, the e-waste and battery recycling scheme said that purchasing vapes from an unregistered supplier could lead to fines ranging from €500 to €2,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

WEEE Ireland has 83 registered retailers in Leitrim who could be impacted if they unknowingly purchase from an unregistered importer of e-cigarettes or vape devices.

Enforcement campaigns are underway across the distribution and retail sector to ensure companies supplying e-cigarettes and vape devices comply with the regulations.

“Disposable and rechargeable vapes, as well as e-cigarette devices and their batteries, fall under the scope of the European WEEE Directive, European Battery Regulations, and Irish WEEE Regulations,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.

“Some importers may not be meeting their legal obligations and acting at an illegal competitive advantage over compliant producers.

“For distributors and retailers, purchasing products from an unregistered supply chain can incur extended producer responsibility under these regulations.

“This includes registration with the Producer Register Ltd, reporting monthly sales in Ireland, and financing take-back and recycling solutions for waste vapes and batteries from end-users.

“We encourage distributors and retailers to review new and existing supply chains and request confirmation of EEE and Battery Producer Registration in Ireland as part of procurement due diligence.

“Supplying unregistered products to other retailers or directly to consumers can lead to breaches of regulations and enforcement action,” she said.

Speaking of a retailer’s recycling obligations regarding vape devices, Elizabeth said it is essential for retailers to understand that so-called disposable or single-use and rechargeable vape devices contain batteries and are categorised as Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE) products.

“Like any used electronic item, vapes can and should be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Retailers are obligated to take these back on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis in-store or on delivery,” she added.

“We encourage retailers to participate in registered supply chains for electrical equipment and batteries, supporting responsible recycling to prevent resources from going to landfill, being illegally dumped, exported, or handled by unauthorised operators, and having a significant environmental impact.”