Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR)

With sustainability in focus, UK businesses are preparing for major changes in packaging waste management. The 2024 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations require producers to fully account for the environmental impact of their packaging.

What is pEPR?

Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) is legislation that aims to make producers responsible for the cost of the collection, management, and recycling of packaging.

EPR’s full regulations became law on 1st January (reporting laws have been in place since 2023)

Producers’ obligations under 2007 regulations no longer apply.
Regulations for DRS & Simpler Recycling passing through Parliament.

Who does pEPR affect?

Brand Owners

Those who sell packaged goods under their brand name (UK).

Importers

Entities that bring packaged products into the UK.

Service providers

Companies that hire out or lend reusable packaging (e.g., supermarket crates).

Distributors

Businesses that manufacture or import empty packaging and sell it to UK businesses.

Online marketplaces

Platforms that allow non-UK sellers of packaged products or empty packaging to UK consumers.

Sellers

Those who sell packaged products or packaging directly to the end-user.

What does this mean?

A single business in the packaging supply chain is responsible for reporting data and paying fees from 2025 (based on 2024 activity).

EPR requires all large producers to cover local authorities’ net costs of managing household packaging waste, from October 2025.

On top of EPR fees, producers will still need to pay:

Environment Agency registration fees
Compliance scheme membership fees
Recycling evidence (PRN) acquisition costs

Please note: Actual EPR fees to be confirmed by PackUK in June/July 2025.

EPR Fees:

Third release of illustrative EPR base fees for 2025 to 2026 for all packaging materials.

As stated by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the illustrative base fees are derived from the agreed final proposed modelling scenario for the total disposal costs to be recovered through EPR in 2025. These final disposal costs are currently undergoing quality assurance checks.

For more information and further updates, please visit GOV.UK.

EPR fees	/tonne	/kg
Aluminium	£435	£0.44
Plastic	£485	£0.49
Fibre Composite	£455	£0.46
Steel	£305	£0.31
Glass	£240	£0.24
Wood	£320	£0.32
Paper/Card	£215	£0.22
Other	£280	£0.28

Important deadlines:

Large organisations must submit data for July to December 2024 by April 1, 2025, while small organisations need to submit data for the whole year of 2024 by the same date.

Additionally, all organisations must register with their environmental regulator by April 1, 2025.

Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, so ensure you meet these deadlines.

For guidance on registering and reporting visit: GOV.UK

Want to know more?

If you'd like more information, please contact us, and we can provide guidance on where to find the relevant resources.

epr@go-pakuk.com

www.go-pakuk.com

Disclaimer: This guidance represents our interpretation of a complex set of regulations and guidance, which can sometimes appear inconsistent. We advise readers to conduct their own research to identify the necessary steps for their organisation. Additionally, new elements of the legislation will be introduced in the coming months and years, further increasing its complexity. The Go-Pak Group does not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in this guidance.