Q&A's EPR fishing gear

Yes, it is based on Directive (EU) 2019/904 of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment - Richtlijn - 2019/904 - EN - EUR-Lex

Producers of fishing gear containing plastic based outside the Netherlands (including online sellers) who offer gear directly to fishermen and shipping companies (or other end consumers) in the Netherlands are required to designate a Dutch-based (legal) entity as an authorized representative. This authorized representative ensures the fulfillment of the 'producer's' obligations. The authorized representative is amongst others obliged to register you at Rijkswaterstaat.

Are you offering fishing gear containing plastic for the first time on the Dutch market in a professional capacity? Then you are considered a ‘producer’ of this gear and must comply with the UPV obligations. The sales method used is not relevant, and offering the products online also falls under these obligations.

Offering products for the first time on the market is also referred to as ‘placing on the market.’ It does not matter to whom you offer the fishing gear for the first time. This could be, for example, another business that resells it, such as a trader or net maker. Or it could be to the end user of the gear, such as a fisherman or shipping company.

‘Producers’ may be manufacturers or importers based in the Netherlands, as well as suppliers from abroad.

Within the scope of fishing gear are any items or piece of equipment used in fishing or aquaculture to target, capture or rear marine biological resources or that is floating on the sea surface, and is deployed with the objective of attracting and capturing or of rearing such marine biological resources, and contains plastic.

Products which are not within the scope are:

• Fishing gear  not used in marine water
• Fishing gear entirely free of plastics