Updates

The Environmental Protection (Cotton Buds) (Scotland) Regulations 2019

  • Legal

Jurisdiction:  Scotland

Commencement:   12 October 2019

 

Mini Summary

These Regulations now make it an offence to manufacture, sell, intend to sell or be in possession to sell any plastic cotton bud, in Scotland from the 12th October 2019. Organisations can be found liable of offences as bodies corporate under this regulation. 

Enforcement officers now have powers of entry under warrant, enabling them to carry out investigations for suspected offences. Any parties found guilty, may be liable for punishment of either a fine not exceeding £5,000 and /or a prison sentence not exceeding 2 years. 

Summary

These Regulations prohibit the manufacture and sale of plastic stemmed cotton buds* in Scotland from the 12th October 2019 with the aim of protecting the marine environment from plastic pollution. 

*A plastic stemmed cotton bud is a rod of plastic which has cotton wrapped around both ends, with plastic meaning a synthetic polymeric substance that can be moulded, extruded or physically manipulated into various solid forms and that retains its final manufactured shape during use in its intended applications.  

Duties

It is an offence to manufacture, sell, intend to sell or be in possession to sell any plastic cotton bud. Organisations can also be found liable of offences as bodies corporate under this regulation. 

A party that is found guilty of an offence may be liable to punishment of either a fine, not exceeding £5,000 and/or a prison sentence not exceeding 2 years. 

Enforcement officers have powers of entry, enabling them to carry out investigations to determine whether an offence has been or is being committed. It also allows entry under warrant, where the use of force to effect entry may be required.

 

Link to full government text

 

The Legislation Update Service is the best way to stay up to date automatically with legislation in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our intuitive online system helps manage your compliance obligations for environment, health & safety and food.

 

 

These summaries (Newground Materials) are provided free of charge as an example of the Legislation Update Service’s content. They are not intended to constitute legal advice for any specific situation.  The Newground Materials are general and educational in nature and may not apply to the specific facts and circumstances of individual cases. Newground does not accept any responsibility for action taken by you or any User as a result of any Newground Materials provided by us. You should take specific legal advice when dealing with specific situations.