United Kingdom
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Packaging
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EEE
About
Packaging
About
Packaging
About
EEE
About
EEE
Packaging
EEE
Packaging
EEE
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging in United Kingdom
On January 1, 2023, the UK government introduced new EPR rules for packaging. This means that new rules have come into force requiring companies to take responsibility for their packaging and its subsequent recycling.Who must register for packaging EPR in United Kingdom
The rules will be relevant to any packaging-importing or supplying entities within the UK. You must report your packaging if:- you are an independent enterprise, a subsidiary, or part of a larger organization (excluding charities)
- your annual revenue is £1 million or greater
- your contribution to packaging exceeded 25 tonnes in the year 2022
- you engage in any packaging-related actions
What the package includes
The EPR packaging regulations encompass various packaging activities, including:- Supplying packaged goods to the UK market under your own brand
- Placing goods into packaging
- Importing products in packaging
- Selling empty packaging
- Hiring or loaning reusable packaging
- Running an online marketplace
Packaging
Packaging is the materials or wrappings used to protect, store, transport and present goods. Packaging can be made from a variety of materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, or other combined materials, and is designed to ensure the safety and integrity of goods as they move through the supply chain and interact with consumers. The following falls under packaging in UK:- Plastic
- Paper/Board
- Aluminium
- Glass
- Steel
- Wood
- Fibre-based composites
- Other
Threshold
Manufacturers, brand owners and importers who produce more than 25 tons of packaging but do not reach the 50-ton threshold and have an annual turnover of more than £1 million (small companies) are subject to the Packaging Requirements (EPR), but only in terms of the data reporting obligation, while those who produce more than 50 tons and have a turnover of more than £2 million (large companies) will be required to pay fees (license fees) to comply with the EPR.EPR registration procedure in the United Kingdom
Organizations obligated under EPR for packaging must:- Create an Account: Set up an account on the 'Report Packaging Data' service
- Submit Organization Details: Provide necessary information about your organization
- Register with Environmental Regulators: Complete the registration process and pay the applicable fee
Authorized representative
If your organization is based outside the UK, you must appoint an authorized representative within the UK to fulfill your EPR obligations. This representative will be responsible for registering, reporting, and ensuring compliance on your behalf.Reporting deadline
Reporting requirements vary based on organization size:- Large Producers: Must collect and submit packaging data every six months. For example, data collected from 1 January to 30 June 2025 must be submitted by 1 October
- Small Producers: Required to collect and submit packaging data annually. For instance, data for the year 2025 must be submitted by 1 April 2026
Who assumes responsibility?
Responsibility under the EPR scheme lies with:- Producers: Organizations that supply packaging to the UK market
- Authorized Representatives: Appointed by non-UK based producers to fulfill obligations
Duties of each group
- Large Producers: Must register, report packaging data biannually, pay registration and waste management fees, and meet recycling obligations
- Small Producers: Required to register, report packaging data annually, and pay registration fees
- Authorized Representatives: Responsible for ensuring their represented organizations comply with all EPR requirements
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for EEE in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to ensure that producers bear the full cost of managing EEE waste. This initiative aims to enhance recycling rates and reduce environmental impact by shifting the financial responsibility from local authorities to producers.Who must register for EEE EPR in the United Kingdom
Under the UK's EPR regulations for EEE, obligations apply to organizations that:- Manufacture or import EEE into the UK
- Rebrand EEE produced by others and sell it under their own brand
- Sell EEE directly to UK consumers via distance selling
What the package includes
As for now, there are 5 categories prescribed in the UK:- Large Household Appliances
- Small Household Appliances
- IT and Telecoms Equipment WEEE
- Consumer Equipment
- Lighting Equipment
Thresholds
No threshold is applied; every company that brings products to the market must register.EPR registration procedure in the United Kingdom
To comply with EEE regulations in the UK, follow these steps:- Register as an EEE manufacturer after placing EEE on the UK market
- Complete registration on the National Packaging Waste Database (for smaller producers)
- Participate in a compliance scheme to address the expenses associated with WEEE collection and recycling
- Pay the applicable license fee
- Obtain the company’s EPR number
- Report the quantity of EEE released onto the market
Authorized representative
To register for the EPR rules for electronic and electrical appliances in the UK, foreign companies must either appoint an authorized representative in the UK or join an approved producer responsibility scheme.Reporting deadline
Reporting requirements vary based on organization size:- Small Producers: Must report EEE data annually by 31 January for the previous calendar year
- Large Producers: Must provide data to their PCS, which reports quarterly for household EEE and annually for non-household EEE
Sanctions in case of violation
The standard criminal and offense-specific responses for violating the Legislative Decree are warning, formal caution, and prosecution.Who assumes responsibility?
Responsibility under the EPR scheme lies with:- Producers: Organizations that place EEE on the UK market
- Authorized Representatives: Appointed by non-UK based producers to fulfill obligations
- These entities are accountable for registering, reporting, and meeting recycling obligations
Duties of each group
- Large Producers: Must join a PCS, report EEE data, and finance the collection, treatment, and recycling of WEEE
- Small Producers: Required to register, report EEE data annually, and may need to finance the recycling of WEEE
- Authorized Representatives: Responsible for ensuring their represented organizations comply with all EPR requirements
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