UK Packaging EPR
Get essential support to comply with the UK packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
What is packaging EPR?
EPR is a policy tool to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. It holds producers accountable for their packaging throughout its whole life cycle and encourages the use of minimised, easier-to-recycle and reusable packaging. It is a legal requirement for all obligated producers to report detailed data on the packaging they handle and supply in the UK.
Large producers must also cover the cost of collecting and recycling their packaging. The financial obligation always sits with a single organisation, usually the brand owner, and is modulated to encourage the use of easier-to-recycle packaging materials and formats.
Who is impacted?
Your organisation is likely obligated for packaging EPR if you meet the threshold below. Your required actions will depend on your activities and business size.
Are you obligated?
Your organisation is likely classed as an obligated producer under the UK packaging EPR regulations if you:
- Have a business, subsidiary or group with a UK presence
- AND have a UK annual turnover of £1m or more
- AND are responsible for more than 25 tonnes of packaging per year
What do you need to do?
All obligated producers must collect and report detailed data to government about all the packaging they handle or supply in the UK. Large producers with an annual turnover of £2m or more and responsible for more than 50 tonnes of packaging per year, must also:
- Conduct a recyclability assessment on all household packaging
- Pay waste management fees for all household packaging
- Procure PRNs for all packaging
EPR support to suit your organisation
Our support packages help you meet your packaging EPR obligations as efficiently as possible, powered by our global packaging data management capabilities that ingest, validate, calculate and submits your data.
From light-touch support to fully outsourced, we’ve got you covered.
You will also benefit from extensive online resources to help you understand packaging EPR and what you need to do. Essential data insights, policy support, PRN procurement and commercial updates are also included as standard.
That’s just the start. Explore our additional services below that help you take it to the next level.
Recyclability Assessment Methodology support
Large obligated producers must apply the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) to all the household and commonly street-binned packaging they handle. This classes each packaging component as either:
- Green – Widely recyclable
- Amber – Recyclable but needs special infrastructure
- Red – Difficult to recycle
The results must be reported to government and are used to modulate your EPR Waste Management Fees, with difficult to recycle packaging attracting higher costs. Unknown RAM ratings default to Red and attract the highest fees.
We have a range of support to confirm your RAM ratings as efficiently as possible:
Data screening service
Our data screening services can efficiently recommend RAM outputs based on your existing data to avoid applying an automatic red status to your components.
RAM component checker
An online RAM component checker tool enables you to quickly identify the RAM output of a specific packaging component, by answering simple Yes/No questions.
Supplier outreach
We can reach out to your suppliers directly on your behalf, to request the RAM information you need for each packaging component.
Model the impact of eco-modulation on your business
Our higher levels of support provide online Smart review tools that model the cost impact of the RAM and the eco-modulation of EPR fees on your business, based on data from your latest packaging EPR submissions.
Benefit from essential insights, including:
- Forecast your future EPR fees
- Create up-to-date cost estimates as you assess your packaging
- Model the impact of future improvements to your packaging
Mitigate the impact of eco-modulation on your business
We can support you to efficiently improve your packaging and reduce EPR costs, highlighting where you can increase recyclability or reduce packaging.
We've got you covered with:
- Leading policy insight
- Packaging strategy development
- Scenario modelling & packaging advice
- Training for your team
Trusted by major brands and retailers
We build partnerships that last
Become a member
Whether you’re a small business or a global brand, discover the benefits of working with us as your trusted packaging data and compliance partner.
Get the knowledge
What is packaging EPR?
Understand what packaging EPR is, why it is taking place and how it impacts your organisation.
Identify if your organisation is impacted by packaging EPR
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) impacts most UK organisations handling packaging - find out if it applies to you.
Required actions for large organisations under packaging EPR
If you are classified as a large organisation under packaging EPR, this article explains all your required actions.
You may also like
Ingest, check, calculate and submit your EPR obligations across markets, with in-depth insights to guide decision-making.
Secure competitive PRNs with confidence with audited recycling evidence, deep market insights and the option to active-buy.
Model scenarios, make packaging changes with confidence and improve sustainability.
Get in touch
Our team are here to help - use this form to get in touch.