The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is set to implement significant new packaging regulations in 2025 as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, aimed at improving packaging waste management and recycling efforts. These regulations will impact suppliers and importers of packaging, with businesses required to comply with new requirements based on factors such as company size and the use of branding.
Key EU EPR Packaging Requirements for 2025
Under the new EU EPR packaging regulations, companies in the UK may be subject to levies, reporting obligations, and additional fees. These include:
- Reporting packaging data
- Paying a waste management fee
- Covering scheme administrator costs
- Paying a charge to the environmental regulator
- Obtaining packaging waste recycling notes (PRNs) or packaging waste export recycling notes (PERNs) to meet recycling obligations
- Reporting on the nation in which packaging is supplied and discarded (nation data)
These rules will apply to all UK businesses that import or supply packaging. A business will need to collect and report packaging data for a given year if it meets specific criteria, including having an annual turnover of £1 million or more, importing or supplying over 25 tonnes of packaging, and conducting packaging activities.
Defra’s Definition of Packaging Activities
Defra defines packaging activities as:
- Supplying packaged goods under a company’s own brand
- Placing goods into packaging
- Importing products in packaging
- Owning an online marketplace
- Hiring or loaning reusable packaging
- Supplying empty packaging
Small vs. Large Organizations
Obligations under the new regulations will depend on whether a company is classified as a small or large organization. This classification is based on annual turnover and the tonnage of packaging supplied or imported. Companies are required to start reporting packaging data from 2023 onward, with fees for packaging placed on the market in 2024 issued starting in October 2025.
For businesses importing or supplying packaging to the UK market, staying compliant with the new EU EPR packaging regulations is essential to avoid penalties and ensure environmental responsibility.
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