Producer Participation Conditions
Participation Conditions
Who are we?
BCRS Malta Ltd. was incorporated by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association with the obligation, amongst others, to assume the collective extended producer responsibility on behalf of producers, importers and retailers of single use beverage containers and take the necessary measures to achieve beverage container collection targets in terms of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations 2020 – LN 311/2020 (‘’the Regulations’’).
BCRS Malta Ltd. was granted a license by the Circular Economy Malta (CEMalta) to establish and operate the national beverage container refund system and take responsibility of all collected single use beverage containers.
As mandated by the Regulations, Producers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Catering Undertakings making available, or intending to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with BCRS Malta Ltd., and shall register any such beverage container by providing BCRS Malta Ltd. all the details that it may require, for the successful operation of the beverage container refund scheme.
Scope of Beverage Container Refund Scheme
Only non-refillable beverage containers fall within the Scheme as operated by BCRS Malta Ltd.
Pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the First Schedule of the Regulations, the beverages falling within the scope of the beverage container refund scheme (‘’the Scheme’’) are:
- Water and flavoured water;
- Non-carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- Exception: Aloe Vera drinks are always in scope, even if fruit content is higher
- Carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- All kombucha products are in scope;
- Ciders, beers and other malt beverages (any alcohol % level);
- Ready to drink coffee;
- Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;
- Dilutables (syrups, concentrates, etc).
Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, the beverage container specifications within the scope of the Scheme must be:
- Made out of:
- Steel, or
- Aluminium, or
- Glass (clear/other), or
- Polyethylene terephthalate - PET (clear/light blue/other); and
- Bottles or cans; and
- With a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres
Scheme Participation – Requirements by Participant
- Company Registration
1.0 - Producers and Importers are to register with the scheme through the official portal of BCRS Malta Ltd.
A one-time company registration fee of €100 (Ex VAT) is to be paid through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal to complete company registration.
1.1 - Upon completion of company registration, BCRS Malta Ltd. will provide a registration number to each producer and/or importer. Scheme participants are bound to make their respective registration number clearly visible on their invoices and fiscal receipts. Producers and/or Importers who fail to comply will be guilty of an offence against the Regulations.
Deadline: Pursuant to Regulation 38 of the Regulations, all Producers and Importers are to register themselves with the Scheme by 31st July 2021.
1.2 - Disclaimer - Multiple Registrations
Pursuant to Regulation 13(2) & Regulation 13(3) of the Regulations, when registering in the scheme with BCRS Malta Ltd.:
- A person who operates in the supply chain in more than one function, shall duly register with BCRS Malta Ltd., for each function as producer and importer, and or distributor and, or retailer and, or catering undertaking as the case may be;
- A retailer who operates more than one retail establishment shall register each retail establishment; and
- a catering undertaking who operates more than one catering establishment shall register each catering establishment.
A separate company registration fee for each separate function/establishment registration applies.
1.2.1 - Pursuant to article 1.2, Producers and/or Importers who also operate as Distributors, are to make an additional, separate, registration as a ‘Distributor’ through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal.
- Beverage Container Registration
2.0 - Producers and Importers are bound to register any beverage container they place on the market with BCRS Malta Ltd. through the official portal registration process.
2.1 - Concurrently with submitting the product registration application on the BCRS portal, and prior to import / manufacturing of a new beverage container in Malta, Producers and Importers are to present an empty sample (with cap/crown) of the container being registered to the BCRS Clearing Centre in Hal-Far Industrial Park.
2.2 - The BCRS Portal sends an automated acknowledgement of registration application receipt once filed.
The automated acknowledgement reminds the applicant that unless the sample is received, the product will NOT be approved.
2.3 - Until the sample referred to in Participation Condition 2.1 is received by BCRS, the product registration application is kept 'PENDING APPROVAL' (meaning the product will not be released by The Customs Department and neither accepted by the RVMs).
2.4 - The container sample is required so that BCRS ascertains that criteria for barcode number, weight, length, etc., match with the product data entered by the Producer/Importer through the portal.
2.5 - BCRS approves the product registration once (i) the recognition criteria on the container sample and portal registration data match, and, (ii) labelling on the container is in accordance with S.L.449.46, whereby ingredients on the product's label are in English, Maltese or Italian language.
An automated email is sent to the Producer/Importer confirming product acceptance.
48 hours after confirmation of product acceptance, the Product can be placed on the market and becomes accepted by the RVMs and manual collection for deposit refund to consumers.
2.6 - Producers and/or Importers placing, or intending to place, single use containers on the market have the option to stamp or affix to single use containers a deposit logo developed by BCRS Malta Ltd.
2.7 - In the event that the shape, material, volume or type of a beverage container which is already registered, is altered, the producer/importer shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. of such alteration/s before placing the beverage in the altered beverage container on the market, even if the barcode remains the same. The producer/importer obliges itself to provide BCRS Malta Ltd. with all the details it may require for the new beverage container registration.
Container alterations being registered are considered as new container registrations, and accordingly, a beverage container registration applies.
- Product Placement Reporting
3.0 - BCRS Malta Ltd. is bound to report to CE Malta on a quarterly basis, aggregate information on products being placed on the market that are within the scope of the Scheme.
To enable BCRS Malta Ltd. to report the said information, Producers and Importers have the obligation to report with BCRS Malta Ltd. the following information on a monthly basis through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal:
- Volumes, by quantity per barcode, of the registered single-use containers placed on the market for the full previous month.
The Product Placement Report is to be lodged securely through the BCRS Portal between the 1st and 9th day of every month (both days included).
3.1 - In respect of each beverage container placed on the market, the producer/importer shall pay the following Administration Fees to BCRS Malta Ltd.:
| Market-Specific | Non-Market Specific Incl. 5% surcharge | |
| Container Material | €/Beverage Container | €/Beverage Container |
| PET - Clear | €0.019 | €0.020 |
| PET - Light Blue* | €0.019 | €0.020 |
| PET - Colour | €0.026 | €0.027 |
| Glass - Clear | €0.057 | €0.060 |
| Glass - Other | €0.057 | €0.060 |
| Aluminium | €0.017 | €0.018 |
| Steel | €0.026 | €0.027 |
The above rates are exclusive of VAT.
*Let down ratio 'LDR' (percentage colorant in resin) of less than 0.1
N.B. Administration Fees are subject to review by BCRS Malta Ltd. on a yearly basis.
3.2 - Single use-containers shall either have:
- a market-specific barcode; or
- a non-market specific barcode.
BCRS Malta Ltd. shall charge Producers/Importers which opt to use non-market specific barcodes an additional surcharge on the administration fee of 5%.
4 Deposit for Single Use Containers
4.0 - Every Single Use Container made available on the market shall be subject to the payment of a deposit of €0.10.
The deposit value shall not be subject to any Value Added Tax (VAT). The Producer/Importer shall indicate payment for the deposit separately from the price on all receipts and invoices.
N.B. Should the value of the deposit change, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be notifying all Scheme members on their registration contact email and also through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. website.
4.1 - The deposit shall be due by the Producer/Importer to BCRS Malta Ltd. upon the placement of the single use container on the market.
4.2 - Producers and/or Importers shall re-claim the full value of the deposit upon the onward sale of the beverage to their successor in the supply chain.
5 Product Placement Projections
5.0 - Producers and/or Importers, as Scheme participants, bind themselves to provide yearly updates regarding the following twelve month’s projections on the volumes of beverage containers to be placed on the market.
Projections are to be reported through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal upon beverage container registration and on a provided e-form annually thereafter.
- Participation
6.0 – Producers and/or Importers shall report to BCRS Malta Ltd., upon request by BCRS Malta Ltd. and if necessary for the proper operation of the Scheme and to the extent so necessary, the details of the persons to whom beverages in single use containers are sold, distributed or transferred, within five (5) working days from receipt of request for information.
7. Terms of Payment
7.0 – The BCRS Malta Ltd. portal enables automated invoice generation for either:
(a) immediate payment of fees to be effected via payment gateway service; or
(b) automated receipt of an invoice by email to be thereafter settled according to the below payment terms:
Fee Type / Deposit | Term for Settlement | Reporting Frequency |
Company Registration Fee | Immediate upon Registration through the Portal | N/A |
Beverage Container Registration Fee | N/A | Containers are to be registered prior to market placement. |
Administration Fee | 60-day credit | Monthly |
Deposit | 60-day credit | Monthly |
Transactions and Representation
All official transactions, including registration, reporting, fee and deposit payments are to be conducted directly with BCRS Malta Ltd.
Conclusion
The Participants shall comply with the Scheme participation conditions as laid down by BCRS Malta Ltd. from time to time.
The Scheme Participant shall ensure that the details registered with BCRS Malta Ltd. are correct at all times and provided through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. portal through the standard registration/reporting processes.
Where a Producer and/or Importer intends to stop its operations in the market for beverages, or where a producer intends to stop placing on the market particular beverages, it shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. in writing.
Scheme Participants are reminded that they are bound by the provisions of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
BCRS Malta Ltd. is empowered by the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations to report any market participant and, or scheme participant to the respective authorities in the event that the said market participation or scheme participant is not complying with the provisions of the aforementioned Regulations.
Should there be any changes to these participation conditions, BCRS Malta Ltd. will update the Participation page in the BCRS Malta Ltd. official website accordingly. It is therefore in the interest of scheme members to check the Participation page any time they access the portal, to keep abreast with any changes which may occur from time to time. Further, if any of the aforementioned changes are of a material nature, an email notification shall also be sent to all participants.
Scheme Registered Beverage Container Producers
Become a Member of your representative Association.
Importer Participation Conditions
Participation Conditions
Who are we?
BCRS Malta Ltd. was incorporated by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association with the obligation, amongst others, to assume the collective extended producer responsibility on behalf of producers, importers and retailers of single use beverage containers and take the necessary measures to achieve beverage container collection targets in terms of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations 2020 – LN 311/2020 (‘’the Regulations’’).
BCRS Malta Ltd. was granted a license by Circular Economy Malta (CEMalta) to establish and operate the national beverage container refund system and take responsibility of all collected single use beverage containers.
As mandated by the Regulations, Producers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Catering Undertakings making available, or intending to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with BCRS Malta Ltd., and shall register any such beverage container by providing BCRS Malta Ltd. all the details that it may require, for the successful operation of the beverage container refund scheme.
Scope of Beverage Container Refund Scheme
Only non-refillable beverage containers fall within the Scheme as operated by BCRS Malta Ltd.
Pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the First Schedule of the Regulations, the beverages falling within the scope of the beverage container refund scheme (‘’the Scheme’’) are:
- Water and flavoured water;
- Non-carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- Exception: Aloe Vera drinks are always in scope, even if fruit content is higher
- Carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- All kombucha products are in scope;
- Ciders, beers and other malt beverages (any alcohol % level);
- Ready to drink coffee;
- Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;
- Dilutables (syrups, concentrates, etc).
Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, the beverage container specifications within the scope of the Scheme must be:
- Made out of:
- Steel, or
- Aluminium, or
- Glass (clear/other), or
- Polyethylene terephthalate - PET (clear/light blue/other); and
- Bottles or cans; and
- With a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres
Scheme Participation – Requirements by Participant
- Company Registration
1.0 - Producers and Importers are to register with the scheme through the official portal of BCRS Malta Ltd.
A one-time company registration fee of €100 (Ex VAT) is to be paid through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal to complete company registration.
1.1 - Upon completion of company registration, BCRS Malta Ltd. will provide a registration number to each producer and/or importer. Scheme participants are bound to make their respective registration number clearly visible on their invoices and fiscal receipts. Producers and/or Importers who fail to comply will be guilty of an offence against the Regulations.
Deadline: Pursuant to Regulation 38 of the Regulations, all Producers and Importers are to register themselves with the Scheme by 31st July 2021.
1.2 - Disclaimer - Multiple Registrations
Pursuant to Regulation 13(2) & Regulation 13(3) of the Regulations, when registering in the scheme with BCRS Malta Ltd.:
- A person who operates in the supply chain in more than one function, shall duly register with BCRS Malta Ltd., for each function as producer and importer, and or distributor and, or retailer and, or catering undertaking as the case may be;
- A retailer who operates more than one retail establishment shall register each retail establishment; and
- a catering undertaking who operates more than one catering establishment shall register each catering establishment.
A separate company registration fee for each separate function/establishment registration applies.
1.2.1 - Pursuant to article 1.2, Producers and/or Importers who also operate as Distributors, are to make an additional, separate, registration as a ‘Distributor’ through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal.
- Beverage Container Registration
2.0 - Producers and Importers are bound to register any beverage container they place on the market with BCRS Malta Ltd. through the official portal registration process.
2.1 - Concurrently with submitting the product registration application on the BCRS portal, and prior to import / manufacturing of a new beverage container in Malta, Producers and Importers are to present an empty sample (with cap/crown) of the container being registered to the BCRS Clearing Centre in Hal-Far Industrial Park.
2.2 - The BCRS Portal sends an automated acknowledgement of registration application receipt once filed.
The automated acknowledgement reminds the applicant that unless the sample is received, the product will NOT be approved.
2.3 - Until the sample referred to in Participation Condition 2.1 is received by BCRS, the product registration application is kept 'PENDING APPROVAL' (meaning the product will not be released by The Customs Department and neither accepted by the RVMs).
2.4 - The container sample is required so that BCRS ascertains that criteria for barcode number, weight, length, etc., match with the product data entered by the Producer/Importer through the portal.
2.5 - BCRS approves the product registration once (i) the recognition criteria on the container sample and portal registration data match, and, (ii) labelling on the container is in accordance with S.L.449.46, whereby ingredients on the product's label are in English, Maltese or Italian language.
An automated email is sent to the Producer/Importer confirming product acceptance.
48 hours after confirmation of product acceptance, the Product can be placed on the market and becomes accepted by the RVMs and manual collection for deposit refund to consumers.
2.6 - Producers and/or Importers placing, or intending to place, single use containers on the market have the option to stamp or affix to single use containers a deposit logo developed by BCRS Malta Ltd.
2.7 - In the event that the shape, material, volume or type of a beverage container which is already registered, is altered, the producer/importer shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. of such alteration/s before placing the beverage in the altered beverage container on the market, even if the barcode remains the same. The producer/importer obliges itself to provide BCRS Malta Ltd. with all the details it may require for the new beverage container registration.
Container alterations being registered are considered as new container registrations, and accordingly, a beverage container registration applies.
- Product Placement Reporting
3.0 - BCRS Malta Ltd. is bound to report to CE Malta on a quarterly basis, aggregate information on products place on the market that are within the scope of the Scheme.
To enable BCRS Malta Ltd. to report the said information, Producers and Importers have the obligation to report with BCRS Malta Ltd. the following information on a monthly basis through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal:
- Volumes, by quantity per barcode, of the registered single-use containers placed on the market for the full previous month.
The Product Placement Report is to be lodged securely through the BCRS Portal between the 1st and 9th day of every month (both days included).
3.1 - In respect of each beverage container placed on the market, the producer/importer shall pay the following Administration Fees to BCRS Malta Ltd.:
| Market-Specific | Non-Market Specific Incl. 5% surcharge | |
| Container Material | €/Beverage Container | €/Beverage Container |
| PET - Clear | €0.019 | €0.020 |
| PET - Light Blue* | €0.019 | €0.020 |
| PET - Colour | €0.026 | €0.027 |
| Glass - Clear | €0.057 | €0.060 |
| Glass - Other | €0.057 | €0.060 |
| Aluminium | €0.017 | €0.018 |
| Steel | €0.026 | €0.027 |
The above rates are exclusive of VAT.
*Let down ratio 'LDR' (percentage colorant in resin) of less than 0.1
N.B. Administration Fees are subject to review by BCRS Malta Ltd. on a yearly basis.
3.2 - Single use-containers shall either have:
- a market-specific barcode; or
- a non-market specific barcode.
BCRS Malta Ltd. shall charge Producers/Importers which opt to use non-market specific barcodes an additional surcharge on the administration fee of 5%.
4 Deposit for Single Use Containers
4.0 - Every Single Use Container made available on the market shall be subject to the payment of a deposit of €0.10.
The deposit value shall not be subject to any Value Added Tax (VAT). The Producer/Importer shall indicate payment for the deposit separately from the price on all receipts and invoices.
N.B. Should the value of the deposit change, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be notifying all Scheme members on their registration contact email and also through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. website.
4.1 - The deposit shall be due by the Producer/Importer to BCRS Malta Ltd. upon the placement of the single use container on the market.
4.2 - Producers and/or Importers shall re-claim the full value of the deposit upon the onward sale of the beverage to their successor in the supply chain.
5 Product Placement Projections
5.0 - Producers and/or Importers, as Scheme participants, bind themselves to provide yearly updates regarding the following twelve month’s projections on the volumes of beverage containers to be placed on the market.
Projections are to be reported through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal upon beverage container registration and on a provided e-form annually thereafter.
- Participation
6.0 – Producers and/or Importers shall report to BCRS Malta Ltd., upon request by BCRS Malta Ltd. and if necessary for the proper operation of the Scheme and to the extent so necessary, the details of the persons to whom beverages in single use containers are sold, distributed or transferred, within five (5) working days from receipt of request for information.
7 Terms of Payment
7.0 – The BCRS Malta Ltd. portal enables automated invoice generation for either:
(a) immediate payment of fees to be affected via payment gateway service; or
(b) automated receipt of an invoice by email to be thereafter settled according to the below payment terms:
Fee Type / Deposit | Term for Settlement | Reporting Frequency |
Company Registration Fee | Immediate upon Registration through the Portal | N/A |
Beverage Container Registration Fee | N/A | Containers are to be registered prior to market placement. |
Administration Fee | 60-day credit | Monthly |
Deposit | 60-day credit | Monthly |
Transactions and Representation
All official transactions, including registration, reporting, fee and deposit payments are to be conducted directly with BCRS Malta Ltd.
Conclusion
The Participants shall comply with the Scheme participation conditions as laid down by BCRS Malta Ltd. from time to time.
The Scheme Participant shall ensure that the details registered with BCRS Malta Ltd. are correct at all times and provided through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. portal through the standard registration/reporting processes.
Where a Producer and/or Importer intends to stop its operations in the market for beverages, or where a producer intends to stop placing on the market particular beverages, it shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. in writing.
Scheme Participants are reminded that they are bound by the provisions of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
BCRS Malta Ltd. is empowered by the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations to report any market participant and, or scheme participant to the respective authorities in the event that the said market participation or scheme participant is not complying with the provisions of the aforementioned Regulations.
Should there be any changes to these participation conditions, BCRS Malta Ltd. will update the Participation page in the BCRS Malta Ltd. official website accordingly. It is therefore in the interest of scheme members to check the Participation page any time they access the portal, to keep abreast with any changes which may occur from time to time. Further, if any of the aforementioned changes are of a material nature, an email notification shall also be sent to all participants.
Scheme Registered Beverage Container Importers
Become a Member of your representative Association.
Distributor Participation Conditions
Participation Conditions
Who are we?
BCRS Malta Ltd. was incorporated by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association with the obligation, amongst others, to assume the collective extended producer responsibility on behalf of producers, importers and retailers of single use beverage containers and take the necessary measures to achieve beverage container collection targets in terms of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations 2020 – LN 311/2020 (‘’the Regulations’’).
BCRS Malta Ltd. was granted a license by Circular Economy Malta (CEMalta) to establish and operate the national beverage container refund system and take responsibility of all collected single use beverage containers.
As mandated by the Regulations, Producers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Catering Undertakings making available, or intending to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with BCRS Malta Ltd., by providing BCRS Malta Ltd. all the details that it may require, for the successful operation of the beverage container refund scheme.
Scope of Beverage Container Refund Scheme
Only non-refillable beverage containers fall within the Scheme as operated by BCRS Malta Ltd.
Pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the First Schedule of the Regulations, the beverages falling within the scope of the beverage container refund scheme (‘’the Scheme’’) are:
- Water and flavoured water;
- Non-carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- Exception: Aloe Vera drinks are always in scope, even if fruit content is higher
- Carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- All kombucha products are in scope;
- Ciders, beers and other malt beverages (any alcohol % level);
- Ready to drink coffee;
- Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;
- Dilutables (syrups, concentrates, etc).
Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, the beverage container specifications within the scope of the Scheme must be:
- Made out of:
- Steel, or
- Aluminium, or
- Glass (clear/other), or
- Polyethylene terephthalate - PET (clear/light blue/other); and
- Bottles or cans; and
- With a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres
Scheme Participation – Requirements by Participant
- Company Registration
1.0 - Distributors are to register with the scheme through the official portal of BCRS Malta Ltd.
A one-time company registration fee of €50 (Ex VAT) is to be paid through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal to complete company registration.
1.1 - Upon completion of company registration, BCRS Malta Ltd. will provide a registration number to each distributor.
Deadline: Pursuant to Regulation 39 of the Regulations, all Distributors are to register themselves with the Scheme by 31st November 2021.
1.2 - Disclaimer - Multiple Registrations
Pursuant to Regulation 13(2) & Regulation 13(3) of the Regulations, when registering in the scheme with BCRS Malta Ltd.:
- A person who operates in the supply chain in more than one function, shall duly register with BCRS Malta Ltd., for each function as producer and importer, and or distributor and, or retailer and, or catering undertaking as the case may be;
- A retailer who operates more than one retail establishment shall register each retail establishment; and
- A catering undertaking who operates more than one catering establishment shall register each catering establishment.
A separate company registration fee for each separate function/establishment registration applies.
1.2.1 – Pursuant to article 1.2, Distributors who also operate retail outlets within their premises, are to make an additional, separate, registration as a ‘Retailer’ through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal.
1.2.2 – Pursuant to article 1.2, Distributors who also operate as importers, are to make an additional, separate, registration as ‘Importer’ through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal.
- Participation
2.0 – Distributors shall report to BCRS Malta Ltd., upon request by BCRS Malta Ltd. and if necessary for the proper operation of the Scheme and to the extent so necessary, the details of the persons to whom beverages in single use containers are sold, distributed or transferred, within five (5) working days from receipt of request for information.
3 Deposit for Single Use Containers
3.0 - Every Single Use Container made available on the market shall be subject to the payment of a deposit of €0.10.
The deposit value shall not be subject to any Value Added Tax (VAT). The Distributor shall indicate payment for the deposit separately from the price on all receipts and invoices.
N.B. Should the value of the deposit change, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be notifying all Scheme members on their registration contact email and also through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. website.
3.1 – Distributors shall pay the deposit value to their predecessor in the supply chain.
3.2 – Distributors shall re-claim the value of the deposit from their successors in the supply chain.
Transactions and Representation
All official transactions, including registration, reporting, fee and deposit payments are to be conducted directly with BCRS Malta Ltd.
Conclusion
The Participants shall comply with the Scheme participation conditions as laid down by BCRS Malta Ltd. from time to time.
The Scheme Participant shall ensure that the details registered with BCRS Malta Ltd. are correct at all times and provided through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. portal through the standard registration/reporting processes.
Where a Distributor intends to stop its operations in the market for beverages, or where a producer intends to stop placing on the market particular beverages, it shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. in writing.
Scheme participants are reminded that they are bound by the provisions of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
BCRS Malta Ltd. is empowered by the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations to report any market participant and, or scheme participant to the respective authorities in the event that the said market participation or scheme participant is not complying with the provisions of the aforementioned Regulations.
Should there be any changes to these participation conditions, BCRS Malta Ltd. will update the Participation page in the BCRS Malta Ltd. official website accordingly. It is therefore in the interest of scheme members to check the Participation page any time they access the portal, to keep abreast with any changes which may occur from time to time. Further, if any of the aforementioned changes are of a material nature, an email notification shall also be sent to all participants.
Become a Member of your representative Association.
Retailer Participation Conditions
Participation Conditions
Who are we?
BCRS Malta Ltd. was incorporated by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association with the obligation, amongst others, to assume the collective extended producer responsibility on behalf of producers, importers and retailers of single use beverage containers and take the necessary measures to achieve beverage container collection targets in terms of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations 2020 – LN 311/2020 (‘’the Regulations’’).
BCRS Malta Ltd. was granted a license by Circular Economy Malta (CEMalta) to establish and operate the national beverage container refund system and take responsibility of all collected single use beverage containers.
As mandated by the Regulations, Producers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Catering Undertakings making available, or intending to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with BCRS Malta Ltd., by providing BCRS Malta Ltd. all the details that it may require, for the successful operation of the beverage container refund scheme.
Scope of Beverage Container Refund Scheme
Only non-refillable beverage containers fall within the Scheme as operated by BCRS Malta Ltd.
Pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the First Schedule of the Regulations, the beverages falling within the scope of the beverage container refund scheme (‘’the Scheme’’) are:
- Water and flavoured water;
- Non-carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- Exception: Aloe Vera drinks are always in scope, even if fruit content is higher
- Carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- All kombucha products are in scope;
- Ciders, beers and other malt beverages (any alcohol % level);
- Ready to drink coffee;
- Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;
- Dilutables (syrups, concentrates, etc).
Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, the beverage container specifications within the scope of the Scheme must be:
- Made out of:
- Steel, or
- Aluminium, or
- Glass (clear/other), or
- Polyethylene terephthalate - PET (clear/light blue/other); and
- Bottles or cans; and
- With a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres
Scheme Participation – Requirements by Participant
- Company Registration
1.0 - Retailers are to register with the scheme through the official portal of BCRS Malta Ltd.
A yearly company registration fee is to be paid through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal according to the outlet’s Retail Space Area as indicated here below:
Retail Space Area | Fee per Annum (Ex VAT) |
Larger than 500 sqm | €105 |
Between 250 sqm and 500 sqm | €52.50 |
Smaller than 250 sqm | €26.25 |
N.B. Registration Fees are subject to review by BCRS Malta Ltd. on a yearly basis.
1.0.1 – Subject that, Hawkers[1] shall also pay a yearly company registration fee through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal according to the here referenced Company Registration fee schedule.
1.0.2 – Subject that, Vending Machine Operators shall also pay a yearly company registration fee through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal according to the here referenced Company Registration fee schedule.
1.1 - Upon completion of company registration, BCRS Malta Ltd. will provide a registration number to each Retailer.
Deadline: Pursuant to Regulation 39 of the Regulations, all Retailers are to register themselves with the Scheme by 31st November 2021.
Disclaimer - Multiple Registrations
Pursuant to Regulation 13(2) & Regulation 13(3) of the Regulations, when registering in the scheme with BCRS Malta Ltd.:
- A person who operates in the supply chain in more than one function, shall duly register with BCRS Malta Ltd., for each function as producer and importer, and or distributor and, or retailer and, or catering undertaking as the case may be;
- A retailer who operates more than one retail establishment shall register each retail establishment; and
- a catering undertaking who operates more than one catering establishment shall register each catering establishment.
A separate company registration fee for each separate function/establishment registration applies.
- Participation
2.0 – Retailers shall report to BCRS Malta Ltd., upon request by BCRS Malta Ltd. and if necessary for the proper operation of the Scheme, documentation relating to invoicing of beverages in beverage containers and any related information, within five (5) working days from receipt of request for information.
- Deposit for Single Use Containers
3.0 - Every Single Use Container made available on the market shall be subject to the payment of a deposit of €0.10.
The deposit value shall not be subject to any Value Added Tax (VAT). The Retailer shall indicate payment for the deposit separately from the price on all receipts and invoices.
N.B. Should the value of the deposit change, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be notifying all Scheme members on their registration contact email and also through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. website.
3.1 - Retailers shall pay the deposit value to their predecessor in the supply chain.
3.2 - Retailers shall re-claim the value of the deposit from the consumer, who shall be entitled to claim the value of the deposit back from a redemption location against a purchase at the Retailer with the value of the deposit being deducted from their bill.
Redemption Locations
BCRS Malta Ltd. will establish redemption locations around Malta for:
- the collection of beverage containers from consumers, and
- processing of the deposit refund to consumers who return a single use container upon which a deposit has been paid.
Retail establishments will serve as redemption locations for these purposes.
4 Beverage Container Returns
4.0 - Collections of beverage containers from consumers, by Retailers, shall be carried out either manually or through a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), which RVM is to be handled by the Retailer according to the criteria set in these terms and conditions and an eventual RVM hosting contract.
4.1 - Upon Return to a redemption location, single use containers shall become the property of BCRS Malta Ltd.
4.2 – Upon return of a single use container at a redemption location, the consumer shall be entitled to a refund of the deposit that had been paid, even if the relative beverage had not been sold by that retail establishment, subject to the conditions here below:
4.2.1. – No Refund shall be due if:
(a) the barcode, or specific markings, if any, of the empty beverage container is not duly registered with BCRS Malta Ltd.; or
(b) the barcode, or, if any, the specific markings of the beverage container or deposit logo is damaged to an extent that the refund for the empty beverage container cannot be processed; or
(c) the beverage container is damaged to an extent that refund for the empty beverage container cannot be processed; or
(d) the empty beverage container contains or is otherwise contaminated by a substance other than residue of the beverage or ordinary dust; or
(e) more than twenty-four (24) months have passed since the beverage container was acquired by the consumer.
4.2.2 – Provided that where the retailer operates a manual redemption system for the return of beverage containers, the retailer shall not be obliged to accept the return of beverage containers where the barcode indicated on the beverage container is not the same as the barcode of beverages sold by that retailer.
4.2.3 – Redemption locations who operate a manual system for the return of beverage containers shall not be obliged to accept returns of beverage containers by consumers or other persons which exceed (50) beverage containers at any one time.
4.3 – Every Retailer operating as a redemption location shall be obliged to affix a deposit scheme informative sign within its premises, which sign shall be provided by BCRS Malta Ltd.
4.4 - BCRS Malta Ltd. shall refund the Retailers providing redemption locations the value of the deposits refunded by them on the return of single use containers by consumers, subject to the terms of payment here below:
Credit Term | Reporting Frequency |
90-day | Monthly |
4.5 – Pursuant to Regulation 18(2) of the Regulations, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall decide, on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria, which system for return of single use containers shall be used by a retail establishment, and whether an RVM shall be provided to a retail establishment.
4.6 – Any retailer hosting an RVM shall enter into a separate RVM hosting agreement with BCRS Malta Ltd. The service of the RVM to the public has to be operational at least between 0800hrs and 1900hrs, from Monday to Saturday.
4.7 - Retailers shall be paid a Handling Fee by BCRS Malta Ltd. on the basis of type of system used for return of beverage containers as described here below:
Return Point | Handling fee per Container (Ex VAT) |
RVMs | €0.0055 |
Retail B2B Card | €0.02 |
Retail Manual Collection | €0.02 |
N.B. Handling Fees are subject to review by BCRS Malta Ltd. on a yearly basis.
4.7.1 – Payment of Handling Fees by BCRS Malta Ltd. to Retailers will be carried out according to the Payment Terms below:
Return Point | Payment Terms | Reporting Frequency |
RVMs | 90-day credit | Monthly |
Retail B2B Card | 30-day credit | Monthly |
Retail Manual Collection | 30-day credit | Monthly |
Collection and Transportation to Clearing Centre
5.0 - BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be responsible for making arrangements for the gathering and delivery of single used containers from retail establishments operating as redemption locations to the clearing centre.
5.1 – Where the retailer operates a manual system, empty beverage containers shall be gathered in appropriate bags provided by BCRS Malta Ltd. Bags pertaining to a particular redemption location shall be identified by tags and counting of beverage containers shall be carried out by BCRS Malta Ltd. at the Clearing Centre. The count of BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be final.
N.B. Any rejects sent to BCRS through manual collection carry a charge of €0.10c per reject item.
5.2 – Where the retailer hosts an RVM, empty beverage containers shall be collected by BCRS Malta Ltd., where the counting of returned beverage containers shall be carried out by the BCRS Malta Ltd.’s RVM itself. The count of BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be final.
Transactions and Representation
All official transactions, including registration, reporting, fee and deposit payments are to be conducted directly with BCRS Malta Ltd.
Conclusion
The Participants shall comply with the Scheme participation conditions as laid down by BCRS Malta Ltd. from time to time.
The Scheme Participant shall ensure that the details registered with BCRS Malta Ltd. are correct at all times and provided through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. portal through the standard registration/reporting processes.
Where a Retailer intends to stop its operations in the market for beverages, it shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. in writing.
Scheme participants are reminded that they are bound by the provisions of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
BCRS Malta Ltd. is empowered by the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations to report any market participant and, or scheme participant to the respective authorities in the event that the said market participation or scheme participant is not complying with the provisions of the aforementioned Regulations.
Should there be any changes to these participation conditions, BCRS Malta Ltd. will update the Participation page in the BCRS Malta Ltd. official website accordingly. It is therefore in the interest of scheme members to check the Participation page any time they access the portal, to keep abreast with any changes which may occur from time to time. Further, if any of the aforementioned changes are of a material nature, an email notification shall also be sent to all participants.
[1] “Hawkers” includes individuals and companies that sell by retail from a vehicle or from any allocated site whether from any street , or within the precincts of an open-air market or otherwise.
Become a Member of your representative Association.
Catering Undertaking Participation Conditions
Participation Conditions
Who are we?
BCRS Malta Ltd. was incorporated by the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association with the obligation, amongst others, to assume the collective extended producer responsibility on behalf of producers, importers and retailers of single use beverage containers and take the necessary measures to achieve beverage container collection targets in terms of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations 2020 – LN 311/2020 (‘’the Regulations’’).
BCRS Malta Ltd. was granted a license by Circular Economy Malta (CEMalta) to establish and operate the national beverage container refund system and take responsibility of all collected single use beverage containers.
As mandated by the Regulations, Producers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Catering Undertakings making available, or intending to make available, on the market any beverage container shall register with BCRS Malta Ltd., by providing BCRS Malta Ltd. all the details that it may require, for the successful operation of the beverage container refund scheme.
Scope of Beverage Container Refund Scheme
Only non-refillable beverage containers fall within the Scheme as operated by BCRS Malta Ltd.
Pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the First Schedule of the Regulations, the beverages falling within the scope of the beverage container refund scheme (‘’the Scheme’’) are:
- Water and flavoured water;
- Non-carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- Exception: Aloe Vera drinks are always in scope, even if fruit content is higher
- Carbonated soft drinks;
- Includes drinks with up to 25% fruit content
- All kombucha products are in scope;
- Ciders, beers and other malt beverages (any alcohol % level);
- Ready to drink coffee;
- Flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%;
- Dilutables (syrups, concentrates, etc).
Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation 2, and as detailed in the Second Schedule of the Regulations, the beverage container specifications within the scope of the Scheme must be:
- Made out of:
- Steel, or
- Aluminium, or
- Glass (clear/other), or
- Polyethylene terephthalate - PET (clear/light blue/other); and
- Bottles or cans; and
- With a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres
Scheme Participation – Requirements by Participant
- Company Registration
1.0 – Catering Undertakings are to register with the scheme through the official portal of BCRS Malta Ltd. according to their Malta Tourism Authority license category for catering establishments.
A yearly company registration fee is to be paid through the BCRS Malta Ltd. portal according to the respective Catering Establishment’s area as indicated here below:
Catering Establishment Area | Fee per Annum (Ex VAT) |
Larger than 500 sqm | €105 |
Between 250 sqm and 500 sqm | €52.50 |
Smaller than 250 sqm | €26.25 |
N.B. Registration Fees are subject to review by BCRS Malta Ltd. on a yearly basis.
1.1 – If in the opinion of BCRS Malta Ltd. the catering undertaking/establishment does not qualify as a catering undertaking and, or a catering establishment, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall refuse registration as such.
1.2 - Upon completion of company registration, BCRS Malta Ltd. will provide a registration number to each Catering Establishment.
Deadline: Pursuant to Regulation 39 of the Regulations, all Catering Undertakings are to register themselves with the Scheme by 31st November 2021.
Disclaimer - Multiple Registrations
Pursuant to Regulation 13(2) & Regulation 13(3) of the Regulations, when registering in the scheme with BCRS Malta Ltd.:
- A person who operates in the supply chain in more than one function, shall duly register with BCRS Malta Ltd., for each function as producer and importer, and or distributor and, or retailer and, or catering undertaking as the case may be;
- A retailer who operates more than one retail establishment shall register each retail establishment; and
- A catering undertaking who operates more than one catering establishment shall register each catering establishment.
A separate company registration fee for each separate function/establishment registration applies.
- Participation
2.0 – Catering Undertakings shall report to BCRS Malta Ltd., upon request by BCRS Malta Ltd. and if it is necessary for the proper operation of the Scheme, documentation relating to the invoicing of beverages in beverage containers and any related information, within five (5) working days from receipt of request for information.
- Deposit for Single Use Containers
3.0 - Every Single Use Container made available on the market shall be subject to the payment of a deposit of €0.10.
The deposit value shall not be subject to any Value Added Tax (VAT) and shall be indicated separately from the price on all receipts and invoices.
N.B. Should the value of the deposit change, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be notifying all Scheme members on their registration contact email and also through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. website.
3.1 – Catering undertakings shall pay the deposit value to their predecessor in the supply chain.
3.2 – Catering undertakings shall only re-claim the value of the deposit from the consumer where the consumer removes the beverage container away from the catering establishment.
3.3 – Catering undertakings shall not charge the amount of the deposit to the consumer who consumes the beverage at the catering establishment and leaves the beverage container at the catering establishment.
3.4 – Pursuant to articles 3.2 and 3.3, the applicant is to inform BCRS Malta Ltd., through their company registration process, whether the majority of his beverage sales business is carried out as ‘consumed on premises’ or ‘take-away’. This information is required for data collection purposes.
3.5 – Further to article 3.3, the catering undertaking shall only be entitled to claim the value of the deposit from BCRS Malta Ltd., subject to the conditions here below:
3.5.1. – No Refund shall be due if:
(a) the barcode, or specific markings, if any, of the empty beverage container is not duly registered with BCRS Malta Ltd.; or
(b) the barcode, or, if any, the specific markings of the beverage container or deposit logo is damaged to an extent that the refund for the empty beverage container cannot be processed; or
(c) the beverage container is damaged to an extent that refund for the empty beverage container cannot be processed; or
(d) the empty beverage container contains or is otherwise contaminated by a substance other than residue of the beverage or ordinary dust; or
(e) more than twenty-four (24) months have passed since the beverage container was acquired by the consumer.
3.6 – Pursuant to article 3.3, BCRS Malta Ltd. shall refund Catering Undertakings the value of the deposit subject to the terms of payment here below:
Credit Term | Reporting Frequency |
| 120-day | Monthly |
30-day | Monthly |
4 Beverage Container Returns
4.0 – Catering undertakings are obliged to gather single use beverage containers consumed at catering establishments.
4.1 - Collections of beverage containers by Catering undertakings, shall be carried out either manually or through the provision of a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), which RVM is to be handled by the Catering undertaking according to the criteria set in these terms and conditions and an eventual RVM hosting contract.
4.2 – Catering undertakings shall return the used beverage containers consumed at catering establishments to BCRS Malta Ltd. according to instructions issued on the beverage container collection service, in line with the provisions of Section 5 below.
4.3 – BCRS Malta Ltd. shall decide, on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria, which system for return of single use containers shall be used by a Catering undertaking and whether an RVM shall be provided to a Catering undertaking.
4.6 – Any Catering undertaking hosting an RVM shall enter into a separate RVM hosting agreement with BCRS Malta Ltd.
4.7 - Empty single use containers in possession of catering undertakings are the property of BCRS Malta Ltd.
4.8 – Where a Catering undertaking does not have an RVM on the premises, the catering undertaking can request BCRS Malta Ltd. to be associated with a multiple stores RVM which is placed in a public area close to the catering establishment.
Collection and Transportation to Clearing Centre
5.0 - BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be responsible for making arrangements for the gathering and delivery of single used containers from catering undertakings to the clearing centre.
5.1 – Empty beverage containers shall be gathered in appropriate bags provided by BCRS Malta Ltd. Bags pertaining to a particular Catering Undertaking shall be identified by tags and counting of beverage containers shall be carried out by BCRS Malta Ltd. at the clearing centre. The count of BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be final.
N.B. Any rejects sent to BCRS through manual collection carry a charge of €0.10c per reject item.
5.2 - Where the Catering undertaking hosts an RVM, empty beverage containers shall be collected by BCRS Malta Ltd., where the counting of returned beverage containers shall be carried out by the BCRS Malta Ltd.’s RVM itself. The count of BCRS Malta Ltd. shall be final.
5.3 – BCRS Malta Ltd. will charge Catering undertakings for the collection and transportation service of beverage container returns to the clearing centre at the going market rates.
Transactions and Representation
All official transactions, including registration, reporting, fee and deposit payments are to be conducted directly with BCRS Malta Ltd.
Conclusion
The Participants shall comply with the Scheme participation conditions as laid down by BCRS Malta Ltd. from time to time.
The Scheme Participant shall ensure that the details registered with BCRS Malta Ltd. are correct at all times and provided through the official BCRS Malta Ltd. portal through the standard registration/reporting processes.
Where a Catering Undertaking intends to stop its operations in the market for beverages, it shall inform BCRS Malta Ltd. in writing.
Scheme Participants are reminded that they are bound by the provisions of the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations.
BCRS Malta Ltd. is empowered by the Beverage Containers Recycling Regulations to report any market participant and, or scheme participant to the respective authorities in the event that the said market participation or scheme participant is not complying with the provisions of the aforementioned Regulations.
Should there be any changes to these participation conditions, BCRS Malta Ltd. will update the Participation page in the BCRS Malta Ltd. official website accordingly. It is therefore in the interest of scheme members to check the Participation page any time they access the portal, to keep abreast with any changes which may occur from time to time. Further, if any of the aforementioned changes are of a material nature, an email notification shall also be sent to all participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme and the related Deposit Refunds commence on the 1st of April 2022.
The Beverage Container Refund Scheme has been set up by three Associations, the Malta Beverage Producers Association, the Malta Beverage Importers Association and the Malta Beverage Retailers Association, in an effort for these Associations as Producers and Retailers of beverages to assume the extended producer responsibility for beverage container waste in the Maltese islands.
Beverage Containers are more likely to be consumed on the go, hence are more likely to be littered or thrown away in mixed waste.
Beverages tend to be consumed quickly and soon after they are purchased, thus making up a big portion of single-use waste.
The beverages that form part of the Scheme include:
- water and flavoured water;
- non-carbonated soft drinks;
- carbonated soft drinks;
- ciders, beers and other malt beverages;
- ready to drink coffee;
- flavoured alcoholic beverages having an alcoholic content level which does not exceed 5%; and dilutables.
The following beverages are out-of-scope of the Scheme:
- Beverages in refillable containers
- Dairy
- Juice and Nectars
- Wines and Spirits
- Beverages in Carton
- Beverages in HDPE
- Beverages in a Pouch
Only single-use, non-refillable beverage containers in steel, aluminium, glass and PET (plastic), with a capacity of between 0.1 litres and 3 litres, form part of the beverage container refund scheme.
Prior to the Scheme going Live in April of 2022, the BCRS Malta website shall have an easy-to-use function whereby any user may enter the barcode of any particular beverage product and will be advised whether that product is part of the Deposit Refund System.
Reverse Vending Machines shall be placed all around the Maltese islands at retail shops and common areas. The BCRS website shall, closer to the 1st of April 2022, host an interactive map showing all locations of RVMs around the Maltese islands.