CCPC Reminds Retailers to Display Prices for Paper Bags and Similar Products

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has written to retailers around the country reminding them that they must display prices for paper bags and similar products in line with consumer law. A letter to retailers is dated 22 October 2026.

Consumers have contacted the CCPC helpline to say there is no display signage in store or around the checkout area showing the price of shopping bags for sale. Under consumer law, retailers must clearly display prices for items being sold. These prices must be unambiguous, easily identifiable, clearly legible and on or near the product.

In its letter, the CCPC states that it considers paper bags sold to consumers for a fee to be products for the purposes of S.I. No. 639/2002, the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulation 2002. Under paragraph 4(3) of those regulations, a person who contravenes them is guilty of an offence. The regulations are available to read online.

The letter also states that the price displayed must be in euro and reflect the final price for a unit of the product or a given quantity of the product, including VAT and all other taxes. It adds that a failure to indicate the price of paper bags near or at the till register is a contravention of the 2002 Regulations.

The CCPC requests that retailers review their in-store signage to ensure the charge for paper bags is clearly displayed to consumers before they make a purchase. If a retailer charges multiple prices depending on the bag selected, the letter says all prices should be clearly displayed.

Where breaches of the law are detected, the CCPC may take further action to ensure retailers comply with price display laws and consumers are properly informed when shopping. These actions range from the issuing of fixed payment notices and compliance notices up to prosecution in the courts.

Aoibhín de Búrca, Director of Communications and Consumer Information for the CCPC, said:

“Retailers must comply with consumer law, and consumers have a right to know the price of any product they purchase, including shopping bags. They should not be put on the spot at the till to pay it or notice it afterwards on their receipts.

The contacts we’ve received through our helpline highlight potentially concerning practices around price displays, so we are writing to traders to remind them of their legal obligations.”

Generally, traders in Ireland are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, however, they must display their prices clearly and in a way that is not misleading. The letter to retailers is available to read online, and more information is available on the CCPC’s product prices guidance.