CBI Wales has commented on new Wales-only legislation that was introduced from 1 October by the Welsh Government that will impose a 5p levy on all single-use carrier bags used by retailers in Wales.
Leighton Jenkins, Head of Policy at CBI Wales, said:
“As the Welsh economy is struggling to create growth and jobs, this is not the time to be imposing additional regulation on Welsh businesses and consumers. Substantial progress has already be made by retailers and consumers over a number of years to voluntarily reduce carrier bags usage.
“We’re concerned that these changes will cause confusion at the tills as consumers and retail staff struggle to interpret these complex and far reaching regulations. Fast food restaurants and clothes stores are at a higher risk of facing such consumer confusion due to false public perceptions that the levy only applies to supermarket plastic bags when in fact it applies to all types of bags in all types of shops.
“Retailers have already been forced previously to retrain staff and change processes based on draft official guidance, now they will have to do this again due to the Welsh Government’s failure to issue the final guidance until Tuesday 27th September, just four days before the levy starts.
“Government plans to consult on local authority guidance in October, after the levy has started, only adds to the confusion for retailers.
“This implementation process is very complex so local enforcement authorities and the Welsh Government must now work closely with retailers and consumers to support them to enforce the levy and raise consumer awareness.”