Starting January 1, 2025, the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive requires all Member States to set up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for fishing gear containing plastic. This means that companies selling fishing gear must take responsibility for its entire lifecycle—from production to waste collection, recycling, and raising awareness about proper disposal.
Each EU country is implementing EPR programs differently, following its own set of rules. Scandinavia has been among the first countries to take up this subject and set up systems to implement these EPR Schemes. In many other European countries, EPR programs and organizations for fishing gear are still being set up.
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To avoid fines, EFTTA advises tackle trade companies to first check whether they fall under the producer/seller definitions outlined in Article 3(11) of the SUP Directive (see also here below).
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If EPR applies, they should contact their national environmental agencies or authorities to understand the required actions and identify organizations responsible for fishing gear recycling in their area.
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Additionally, it is crucial to determine whether a national producer organization already represents the tackle trade. If none exists, steps should be taken to establish one, as seen in Sweden.
Case Study Sweden: Fiskekretsen AB
To get a better understanding of the EPR process we recommend to check out this fascinating article from Tackle Trade World about how Swedish distributor and EFTTA member, Per Henrik Bengtsson from Fladen Fishing, took the lead in adapting to new regulations in Sweden. By joining the national Swedish tackle trade association, Svensk Sportfiskehandel, they helped create a system to ensure EPR compliance. This initiative led to the establishment of Fiskekretsen AB, a producer organization that now manages EPR requirements for the Swedish tackle trade industry.
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Producers/sellers are to pay an annual fee SEK 6,000 (€520) and 10SEK (€0.87) per kg of plastic placed on the market.
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Swedish legislation may make it obligatory for tackle trade companies that are subject to EPR to be a member of 'Fiskekretsen AB'. If they refuse, the fine is SEK 20,000 (€1,743).
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Next fine will be double up SEK 40,000, and so on until the situation is remedied.
EFTTA welcomes the involvement of local tackle trade associations and congratulates in particular Per Henrik Bengtsson from Fladen Fishing on this outstanding initiative, providing a smart and practical solution to a complex regulation. EFTTA encourages companies in other countries to carefully examine this model and collaborate with their local tackle trade associations to develop compliant business strategies tailored to their national regulations.
Links & downloads
=>Article from Tackle Trade World from Jan 3, 2025
=>Website from the Swedish Environmental Agengy / EPR for fishing gear
Article 3
Definitions
(11)
‘producer’ means:
(a)
any natural or legal person established in a Member State that professionally manufactures, fills, sells or imports, irrespective of the selling technique used, including by means of distance contracts as defined in point (7) of Article 2 of Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (21), and places on the market of that Member State single-use plastic products, filled single-use plastic products or fishing gear containing plastic, other than persons carrying out fishing activities as defined in point (28) of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (22); or
(b)
any natural or legal person established in one Member State or in a third country that professionally sells in another Member State directly to private households or to users other than private households, by means of distance contracts as defined in point (7) of Article 2 of Directive 2011/83/EU, single-use plastic products, filled single-use plastic products or fishing gear containing plastic, other than persons carrying out fishing activities as defined in point (28) of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;