RAM Roadmap 2026

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RAM Roadmap: The UK packaging compliance landscape continues to evolve at pace. With two full years of Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) reporting now complete, businesses need to be prepared for the year ahead. Under the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) packaging decisions you make in 2026 will directly impact pEPR fees, operational efficiency and competitive positioning for years to come.

As pEPR moves into full implementation, modulated fees based on RAM assessments become progressively more influential. The gap between fees for highly recyclable packaging and poorly recyclable alternatives widens each year.

Consider a business shipping 100 tonnes of packaging annually. Even modest differences in modulated fees can translate to tens of thousands of pounds in annual compliance costs. Multiply this across multiple product lines, markets and packaging formats, and the financial implications become substantial.

Beyond direct costs, RAM assessments affect competitive positioning. Businesses demonstrating genuine commitment to recyclable packaging can communicate this to environmentally conscious customers. Those struggling with complex, hard-to-recycle formats face both higher fees and potential reputational challenges.

Understanding what lies ahead will enable strategic preparation, cost control and packaging systems that align with both regulatory requirements and commercial objectives. And, with the UK's £1.5 billion annual packaging waste disposal bill now being redistributed based on recyclability ratings, there is a lot of change still to come.

What is RAM and why does it matter for pEPR?

The Recyclability Assessment Methodology provides the framework for evaluating how recyclable your packaging truly is. It's not simply about whether packaging can theoretically be recycled. RAM assesses the entire journey: from collection systems and sorting infrastructure to reprocessing capabilities and end markets.

RAM evaluates packaging across eight material types (aluminium, fibre-based composites, glass, paper/board, plastic, steel, wood and other materials) through a five-stage process: Classification, Collection, Sortation, Reprocessing and Application. Each stage must meet specific criteria for packaging to achieve a favourable recyclability rating.

This matters because RAM assessments directly determine your modulated fees under pEPR. Packaging that scores RED on recyclability attracts significantly higher fees. Packaging designed with recyclability in mind benefits from reduced costs. As modulation becomes more stringent each year, these differences become increasingly significant.

For large producers (businesses with £2 million or more turnover handling 50 tonnes or more of packaging annually), who report household packaging, RAM assessments are now fundamental to financial planning. The methodology affects everyone from luxury brands managing complex multi-material packaging to manufacturers shipping products in straightforward corrugated boxes.

Packaging that remains unassessed receives an automatic 'Red' classification, attracting escalating penalties: twice the base fee in 2026/27, six times the base fee in 2027/28, and ten times the base fee in 2028/29. This means the cost of inaction compounds rapidly, with unassessed packaging attracting some of the highest possible pEPR fees.

The PackUK RAM Roadmap: Your guide to 2025-2030

The RAM Roadmap 2025-2030, published by PackUK on 1 October 2025, provides essential visibility on planned developments. The roadmap outlines annual policy alignment reviews, publication timings, materials updates and industry engagement through the quarterly RAM Technical Advisory Committee.

The current version, RAM v1.1, became effective on 1 January 2025 and includes important improvements following industry feedback. These include removing the retained residue condition for paper and board packaging, and eliminating the 40% label coverage condition for plastic bottles. These changes make it easier for certain packaging formats to achieve better recyclability ratings.

Crucially, RAM rules remain stable until the July 2026 revision takes effect in January 2027. This three-year stability period provides businesses with the confidence to invest in packaging redesign and optimisation strategies, knowing the assessment criteria won't shift unexpectedly.

The roadmap establishes recurring annual activities that provide structure and predictability. These include quarterly Technical Advisory Committee meetings where industry stakeholders can engage with the development process, four nations policy alignment reviews to ensure consistency across the UK, annual RAM publications following a July update cycle, and ongoing reviews of core definitions and criteria.

All timings remain subject to change, but the roadmap provides the clearest indication yet of where packaging compliance is heading. For businesses planning packaging specifications, supply chain investments or product launches, this forward visibility is invaluable.

RAM Roadmap 2026: Key UK Packaging compliance dates

January 2026: Data collection begins

From 1 January 2026, amended pEPR regulations come into force. Producers must start gathering Nation of Sale data and Self-managed Organisation Waste data. This information will be required for reporting by 1 April 2027 and 1 August 2026 respectively. Therefore, the time to establish robust data collection processes is now, not when deadlines approach.

July 2026: RAM 2027 release

PackUK is expected to publish the RAM 2027 methodology in July, setting updated recyclability criteria that will apply from January 2027. This gives businesses a six-month window to assess implications, review packaging specifications and make necessary adjustments before the new methodology takes effect.

The 2026 focus includes updates to core definitions, reconsideration of criteria removed from RAM v1, improvements to language clarity and a review of Fibre-based Composites guidance.

August 2026: Mid-year reporting

Large producers face their mid-year reporting deadline on 1 August 2026, covering January to June packaging data. This includes mandatory self-managed organisation waste data, representing an expansion of reporting requirements compared to previous periods.

Summer 2026: Labelling updates

Potential updates on mandatory labelling requirements are expected during summer 2026. Clear, accurate labelling helps consumers make informed recycling decisions and supports the broader objectives of the circular economy.

October 2026: Notice of Liability

The 2026 Notice of Liability will be issued in October, providing producers with their fee obligations based on packaging data submitted and RAM assessments applied. This represents the financial reality of your packaging decisions throughout the year.

Remember that producers maintain PRN (Packaging Recovery Note) obligations alongside their Notices of Liability. PRNs will usually be procured by your compliance scheme if you are registered with one, or will need to be self-fulfilled if registered directly with the appropriate authority.

November 2026: Regulatory amendments

Potential future regulatory amendments may be debated in parliament during November. These discussions will shape the longer-term direction of packaging regulations and provide insight into what lies beyond 2026.

December 2026: 2027 fee structure

Illustrative 2027 base fees will be published in December, including separate fees for rigid and flexible plastic for the first time. This differentiation reflects the distinct recycling challenges and infrastructure requirements for different plastic formats.

Beyond 2026: What the RAM roadmap reveals

2027: Technical refinements

The 2027 RAM review will focus on rigid plastics guidance, printing inks specifications, security tags and food/cosmetics contamination guidance. These technical reviews will help businesses understand how specific packaging components affect recyclability assessments.

2028: The DRS decision point

If the Deposit Return Scheme is not operational by 2028, drinks containers made from PET plastic, aluminium and steel will become subject to pEPR obligations. This represents a significant potential shift in compliance requirements for beverage packaging producers.

2029: Bioplastics and compostables

A major review is scheduled for 2029 to assess the inclusion of bioplastics and compostables in RAM. Currently, these materials are not considered recyclable due to their interference with sorting and recycling systems. This review could fundamentally change how alternative materials are assessed.

Beyond packaging: The wider compliance picture

Deposit Return Schemes (DRS)

The UK Deposit Management Organisation[3] is expected to transition from set-up phase to delivery phase during 2026. This involves building sorting centres, developing IT systems, establishing return points, finalising labelling details and conducting system testing ahead of the October 2027 go-live date.

While DRS primarily affects beverage containers, the infrastructure and consumer behaviour changes it drives will influence broader packaging decisions and recycling systems.

Circular economy strategy

Scotland's Circular Economy Strategy consultation closes on 31 January 2026, with England's strategy expected as a consultation in spring 2026. These strategies will set the policy framework for waste reduction, resource efficiency and circular business models across the UK.

Simpler Recycling

From 31 March 2026, households in England must separate recycling (excluding flexible plastics) and collect waste food under Simpler Recycling Year 2. Scotland is co-designing a new Code of Practice for Household Waste Recycling, with consultation expected by end 2026.

These collection system changes affect what packaging can realistically be recycled, influencing RAM assessments and packaging design decisions.

Packaging compliance: How ERP UK can help

At ERP UK, we simplify Extended Producer Responsibility compliance through expertise, data-driven solutions and comprehensive support. Our team understands the complexities of RAM assessments, modulated fees and the broader pEPR landscape.

We've developed RAM Assess, our dedicated platform for accurate recyclability assessments, confident reporting and smarter packaging decisions. The platform combines detailed packaging data with up-to-date RAM criteria to provide clear, actionable insights into your compliance obligations and opportunities for improvement.

Beyond technology, we offer strategic guidance on packaging specifications, data services[5] and long-term compliance planning. Whether you're managing a straightforward packaging portfolio or navigating complex multi-material formats across multiple markets, our team can help you chart the most efficient course.

The road ahead for pEPR RAM

2026 represents a landmark year in packaging compliance. The foundations laid during the first two years of pEPR reporting now support increasingly sophisticated recyclability assessments and modulated fee structures. The businesses that thrive will be those that view RAM as a framework for strategic decision-making.

The RAM Roadmap provides the visibility you need to plan effectively. Will you now use this visibility to stay ahead of requirements or simply react as deadlines approach?

At ERP UK, our advice is to strengthen data processes, review packaging specifications and take concrete steps to improve recyclability ahead of future submissions. After all, the decisions you make in 2026 will determine your compliance costs, competitive positioning and operational efficiency for years to come.

Ready to navigate the RAM Roadmap with confidence? Our team can guide you through the process, from initial assessments to ongoing compliance support.

Contact our team today to discuss how our RAM service can simplify your compliance journey whilst protecting your bottom line. Don't let your packaging compliance get left in the cold this festive season.

Related services

ERP UK's Packaging EPR for Large Producers: Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) - visit the webpage here

Extended Producer Responsibility - visit the webpage here

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