Draft Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012As part of the 2011-15 Budget settlement, the Northern Ireland Executive decided to introduce a carrier bag levy. The Department of Environment (“the Department”) has lead responsibility for the implementation of charging arrangements.
During 2011, the Department completed a policy consultation on its proposals for the levy. A phased approach for charging arrangements is to be adopted. Phase 1 entails the introduction of a 5 pence levy on single use carrier bags, effective from April 2013. In Phase 2 – effective from April 2014 -the levy will be increased to 10 pence and extended to lower cost reusable bags.