UK EPR Packaging Regulations 2.0: More Seller-Friendly for Chinese Sellers

1. Handled 50 tonnes of packaging materials or packaging in the previous calendar year. Handled 50 tonnes of packaging materials or packaging in the previous calendar year. 2. Have a turnover of more than £2 million a year (based on the last financial year’s accounts). Had an annual turnover exceeding £2 million (based on the accounts for the most recent financial year). Additional note: If your business grants licences to other businesses—such as franchises or pub tenancy agreements—the packaging handled by those licensees may count toward your 50-tonne threshold. Secondly, obligated packaging producers must fulfil the following annual requirements: 1. Register as a packaging producer by 7 April. Register as a packaging producer with the relevant environmental regulator by 7 April each year. 2. Meet their recycling obligation. Fulfil their recycling obligation: Upon joining a compliance scheme, you assume legal responsibility for meeting recycling targets and submitting a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Ensure you provide accurate information and data to the scheme. 3. Obtain evidence of compliance. Obtain evidence of compliance: Certified reprocessors and exporters may issue electronic Packaging Recovery Notes (ePRNs) and electronic Packaging Export Recovery Notes (ePERNs) for the waste packaging they recover. 4. Submit a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) by 31 January the following year. Submit a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) by 31 January of the following year. Direct registration: You handle registration yourself, obtain compliance evidence, and submit the CoC. Joining a compliance scheme: An operator handles your registration with the correct environmental regulator, obtains your compliance evidence, and submits the CoC annually. Thirdly, which UK organisations must report 2023 packaging data and pay fees? EPR for packaging fees have been deferred for a year. You will not have to pay any EPR for packaging fees in 2024. However, you must still follow this guidance and report your packaging data for 2023.

European sellers take note: National EPR packaging recycling schemes are becoming a major trend across Europe

"Switzerland is planning a nationwide recycling system for plastic packaging and beverage cartons. Previously, the country had rejected establishing a packaging waste collection system." As part of the 'Collection 2025' initiative, over 70 organisations across the entire value chain—from Swiss producers, brand owners, and retailers to recyclers and disposal companies—are collaborating to develop a circular economy for plastic packaging and beverage cartons. Major retailers including Aldi, Coop, Denner, Lidl, and Migros are actively involved. The goal is to introduce a unified waste collection and recycling management system for plastic packaging and beverage cartons, achieving cost savings, ecological efficiency, and customer-friendliness. To this end, Switzerland will soon provide standardised national waste collection bags—uniform in colour, size, and printed information. Moreover, according to Swiss Recycling—the umbrella organisation for recycling in Switzerland—a nationwide standardised fee structure for recycling is currently under review. Funding required for the operation of the waste collection and recycling system will be secured through revenue from the sale of these waste bags, recycling fees paid by distributors, and income generated from recycling activities. All costs—from collection and sorting to recycling—will be covered. By 2030, the recycling rate for plastic packaging is expected to reach 55%, and that for beverage cartons, 70%. UK delays implementation of EPR packaging fees "Manufacturers will not need to pay for packaging recycling until 2025—delayed by one year from the originally planned 2024 deadline. However, registration requirements remain unchanged." Since the beginning of this year, the UK has implemented new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging, replacing the previous Packaging Waste Regulations. These new regulations include plans to levy an EPR fee on packaging. Now, distributors are temporarily exempt from paying this packaging recycling fee until 2025, rather than the originally scheduled 2024. In different circumstances, the recycling costs incurred by obligated companies depend on the types and quantities of packaging placed on the market. The higher the recyclability of the packaging, the lower the recycling fee. However, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) emphasises that although the implementation of the packaging recycling fee has been postponed, distributors must begin registration this year and provide information on packaging types, materials, and weights. Germany’s airport plastic bottle recycling project celebrates its 10th anniversary! "Since 2013, the airport plastic bottle recycling project has partnered with eight German airports to create over 40 jobs." On 3 September 2023, the 'Spende Dein Pfand' (Donate Your Deposit) airport plastic bottle recycling project celebrated its 10th anniversary. Initially launched by students, the project was later jointly developed by Germany’s Green Dot organisation and Stuttgart Airport into a concrete recycling initiative—and officially launched on 3 September 2013. The 'Spende Dein Pfand' project places specially designed plastic bottle recycling bins at security checkpoints in eight major German airports.

UK Environment Agency Sets 83% Threshold for 2026 Plastic Packaging Recycling Obligations

2 days ago

The UK Environment Agency set an 83% enforcement threshold for 2026 plastic recycling obligations, stabilizing PRN prices after a market shortage drove costs up. This policy adjustment impacts Extended Producer Responsibility compliance for packaging producers facing significant recycling targets.

icis

2026-10-09

UK Environment Agency Sets 83% Threshold for 2026 Plastic Packaging Recycling Obligations

UK Environment Agency Sets 83% Threshold for 2026 Plastic Packaging Recycling Obligations

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