RAM 2027: Key Changes for Packaging Producers

On 1 July 2026, PackUK published RAM 2027, the latest update to the Recyclability Assessment Methodology used for Packaging EPR. The methodology determines how household packaging is assessed for recyclability and directly influences the Household Packaging Waste Disposal fees producers pay. Understanding the changes now will help producers prepare for 2027 reporting requirements and avoid costly compliance mistakes.

What Is the Packaging Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM)?

If you're new to RAM, here's the short version. The Recyclability Assessment Methodology is the framework producers use to assess whether their household packaging is easy to recycle or more difficult to recycle. Each piece of packaging is rated red, amber or green based on how recyclable it is in the UK's current collection and reprocessing infrastructure.

Those ratings feed directly into pEPR fee modulation applied to the Household Packaging Waste Disposal fees. Green-rated packaging attracts lower fees. Red-rated packaging attracts higher ones. Getting your assessments right isn't just a compliance exercise, it has a real financial impact on your business.

RAM is designed to be updated annually. RAM 2027 is the first update under the new annual update cycle set out in Pack UK’s RAM Roadmap, building on version 1.1, which was published in April 2025.

Why Packaging Producers Need to Prepare for RAM 2027

Annual updates are good news for the long-term health of the packaging system. But they do create a practical challenge for producers and compliance teams.

You need to know which version of RAM applies to which reporting period, what has changed between versions and how those changes affect your packaging assessments. Get it wrong and you risk submitting inaccurate data, which can mean incorrect fee calculations and potential compliance exposure.

There's also the question of timing. It’s important to keep track of which methodology applies to which reporting period, see “When Does RAM 2027 Apply “

RAM 2027: Key Changes for Packaging Producers

RAM 2027 was developed following significant industry consultation, involving producers, trade associations and technical specialists. The changes are designed to reduce ambiguity and make the methodology easier to apply in practice.

One obvious change is to the naming – out go version numbers such as 1.1 and in comes a year suffix such as 2027.

Key technical updates include refinements to material rules and definitions, improvements to assessment guidance, and structural changes to improve usability. PackUK has also published a set of Infographics comparing the changes between v1.1 and RAM 2027 for each material category, which are a useful starting point for understanding what has shifted for your specific packaging types.

You can find full RAM 2027 materials assessment guidance here

Importantly, RAM 2027 strengthens the link between recyclability ratings and real-world recycling outcomes. By aligning more closely with how the UK's collection and reprocessing infrastructure actually performs, the methodology becomes a more accurate and meaningful tool for producers making packaging design decisions.

RAM 2027 Reporting Deadlines for Packaging Producers

This is the critical question, it's worth being precise – and the new naming convention helps.

RAM 2027 applies to the household packaging data you will submit for your 2027 reporting periods:

• H1 2027 (1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027) — ERP UK's submission deadline is 31 August 2027
• H2 2027 (1 July 2027 to 31 December 2027) — ERP UK's submission deadline is 29 February 2028

RAM 2027 does not affect reporting for 2025 or 2026 – RAM 1.1 should be used for these.

The practical implication is this: now is the right time to familiarise yourself with RAM 2027 and understand how the changes affect your packaging portfolio. You don't need to act on it immediately, but leaving it until 2027 reporting is underway will create unnecessary pressure.

How RAM 2027 Can Reduce Packaging EPR Costs

It's easy to view annual methodology updates as another layer of complexity to manage. But RAM 2027 represents a genuine opportunity for producers who engage with it early.

Clearer definitions and reduced ambiguity mean more consistent assessments across your packaging range. Better alignment with real-world recycling outcomes means your ratings more accurately reflect the recyclability of your packaging, which matters both for fee modulation and for the credibility of your sustainability reporting.

For businesses actively working to improve their packaging design, RAM 2027 provides a more reliable framework for evaluating the recyclability of new or reformulated packaging. Understanding the updated material rules now means you can factor them into packaging decisions ahead of the 2027 reporting year, so staying close to these updates positions your business well for what comes next.

Get Expert Help with RAM 2027 Reporting

Navigating annual methodology updates alongside your broader pEPR obligations takes time and expertise. ERP UK's role is to make that process as straightforward as possible.

As a registered packaging compliance scheme and Data Service provider, ERP UK helps producers understand their obligations, submit accurate data and stay on top of changes like the RAM 2027 update. Our team monitors regulatory developments closely, so you don't have to track every publication and guidance note yourself.

If you have questions about how RAM 2027 affects your specific packaging types, or you want to sense-check your approach ahead of 2027 reporting, our compliance specialists are here to help.

Next Steps: Preparing for RAM 2027

The guidance is published and there is a lot of information to digest. Use the time between now and your 2027 reporting periods to review the RAM 2027 changes, assess the impact on your packaging portfolio and make sure your data collection processes are set up to capture what you need.

Read the RAM 2027: overview on GOV.UK 

Read the full RAM 2027 materials assessment guidance

If you're an ERP UK customer with questions about RAM 2027 or your 2027 reporting obligations, get in touch with your account manager. We're here to help you prepare.

Related blog

If you missed our previous guide on the rules that came in with RAM v1.1, it's worth a read alongside this update: RAM v1.1: 7 key rules UK packaging producers must follow

About ERP UK

ERP UK is part of the Landbell Group, one of the world's leading environmental compliance networks, operating across more than 30 countries. That global reach means we bring international perspective to UK compliance, including insight into how EPR schemes in other markets have evolved and what that means for producers operating across borders.

With over 700 businesses relying on ERP UK for their compliance needs, we have deep experience across packaging, WEEE and batteries. Our approach is practical and data-driven, focused on helping you meet your obligations accurately and efficiently, without unnecessary complexity.

ERP UK contact details:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 6452

E-mail: uk@erp-recycling.org

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