Understand enforcement actions under EPR

Non-compliance with the packaging EPR regulations can lead to a range of enforcement actions against your business. Find more in this article.

22 January 2026

The environmental regulators will usually also seek to recover their costs, via enforcement cost recovery notices.

Regulators and regulator charges

In addition to producer registration charges, regulators charge for resubmitting EPR data and for late registration:

• Resubmitting a packaging data report costs £807, or £512 via a compliance scheme.
• Late registration costs £386, whether or not the business is in a compliance scheme.

If a business needs to resubmit EPR data, it will usually only incur the resubmission fee. However, missing the reporting deadline entirely can lead to significant monetary penalties or criminal proceedings.

Regulators ensure producers, compliance schemes and recyclers comply with the rules and can provide technical guidance. They cannot advise on policy direction or suggested changes to the regulations.

• Environment Agency (England) – Contact via email
• Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Northern Ireland) – Contact via email
• Natural Resources Wales (Wales) – Contact via email
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Scotland) – Contact via email

If you need to contact a government department directly in relation to EPR, various departments are responsible for different aspects of the system.

Defra

Defra, working with the devolved governments, develops EPR policy, drafts the regulations, and also develops and hosts the RPD digital platform. With support from regulators, it also produces guidance, so Defra can answer questions on policy, policy intent and the digital system.

• Telephone: 0300 060 0002
• Email the Defra Service Desk

Scheme Administrator (PackUK)

PackUK sets disposal fees payable by producers, invoices producers, and transfers funds to local authorities. It also runs public information campaigns and develops and publishes the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). Direct any questions on these areas to PackUK using the same contact details as Defra.

Ecosurety deadlines

Ecosurety requires members to submit packaging data and other information ahead of regulatory deadlines so it can be checked and verified. You must meet these deadlines to avoid the consequences outlined in this article. Repeated failures may lead to contract termination and non‑compliance.

External resources

Read the official packaging EPR data guidance on gov.uk