EPR for Packaging Delayed

After weeks of speculation, Defra have confirmed the cost element of the changes is delayed until 2025.

Key points:

Companies handling packaging in the UK will have two pieces of legislation to comply with for 2024:

1. The current Packaging Waste Regulations will remain in force for 2024 – they will continue to provide the basis for packaging compliance by all obligated companies.
2. The new (2023) Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) Regulations will also remain in force – they will enable current and new producers to collect and report data – this will be the basis for Packaging EPR in 2025 and beyond.

What does this mean for 2024 packaging compliance?

Costs in 2024 will be on the same basis as they are in the current system (environment agency registration + PRN costs).

The significant additional costs for collection of packaging waste from households will not be passed on to producers until 2025.

What does this mean for packaging data reporting?

For packaging handled / placed on the UK market in 2023, Producers will need to collect and report data under two systems!

1. Packaging handled - as required by the current Packaging Waste Regulations

• Report by April 2024
• This will form the basis for PRN requirements for 2024 packaging compliance

2. Packaging placed on the market – as required by the various national Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) Regulations

• Report H1 2023 by end of September 2023
• Report H2 2023 by end of March 2024
• Report nation of sale by end of December 2024 (NB this remains to be confirmed)

How ERP can help

ERP’s compliance team are supporting hundreds of companies navigate these changes – enquire today about becoming a member.

ERP’s data services team are specialists in collecting, checking and calculating the data companies need for packaging data reporting – enquire today about how they can help

Want to know more?

Download our Factsheets:

Data Services Factsheet here:

Packaging Compliance Factsheet here:

EPR Factsheet here:

Contact us today:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 6452 E-mail: uk@erp-recycling.org

Defra’s revised guidance is here:

Author: John Redmayne, Managing Director of ERP UK