The legislation increasing the plastic bag charge in England was enacted yesterday 20 May, and comes into force today 21 May – this legislation is here. [I blog posted about this before]
It will be added to those Cardinal Environment EHS Legislation Registers & Checklists that monitor the Plastic Bag Charges. It amends the existing 2015 Order (the Carrier Bags Order).
[Separate legislation in Scotland, already added, has already increased the charge in Scotland.]
Article 3 amends the Carrier Bags Order by omitting the expiry date of 5th October 2022 in article 1(d), by which that Order would have ceased to have effect. Articles 6, 7, 10 and 11 make amendments to the Carrier Bags Order consequential on the omission of the expiry date.
Articles 4 and 8 amend the Carrier Bags Order in order to substitute a new definition of “seller”. This brings all sellers of goods under the obligation to charge in article 3 of the Carrier Bags Order and restricts the obligation relating to records in article 4 of, and Schedule 3 to, that Order to sellers within the meaning given in Schedule 1.
Article 5 amends the Carrier Bags Order in order to increase the minimum charge for each single use carrier bag (SUCB) supplied in a reporting year from 5 pence to 10 pence.
Article 9 amends the definition of SUCB in Schedule 2 to the Carrier Bags Order by amending the list of “excluded bags” in the table.
The effect of this is –
(1) The single-use carrier bag charge is increased to 10 pence and extended to all retailers in England from today (21 May). This includes small, medium and micro retailers (including airport retailers).
(2) An extra 10 pence is not chargeable if a charge of 10 pence or more is already charged for bags.
(3) Biodegradable bags are not exempt from the charge.
(4) Carrier bag use records or reports do not need to be made if the company employs fewer than 250 staff.
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