At Clarity we work in partnership with our compliance members, providing them with hands-on support and tailored advice throughout the year. As we approach the annual packaging data submission deadline, our dedicated team is on hand to ensure our members complete their submission on time and stress-free. Here we share some of the tips we give to our members each year:
1. Start Early!
Being reliant on your suppliers providing accurate information means you should start the ball rolling by the end of December.
2. Set aside designated time for completion
It’s easy to think this can be put off for ‘when you’ve got time’ but it’s all too easy for the days to slip away. Set yourself blocks of time to focus purely on your data gathering.
3. Chase your suppliers
Brief your supplier in advance and ensure they know that the information you need is due in January. When setting aside time for data submission ensure to send out reminders to your suppliers that you require the weights. Tenacity is key – keep chasing those figures!
4. Get your head around the data form
Review the data submissions form in plenty of time and if you’ve got any issues get in touch with our team, we’re always on hand to help.
5. Don’t rely on last year’s data
Although production may be similar year on year, it’s essential that you provide accurate figures. Don’t rely on previous years’ data and then find yourself panicking the week before submissions because the figures need to be changed.
6. Have your draft submission completed a week before the deadline date
Ensuring you have a draft complete will allow you time to go over your figures and save you a lot of stress in the final week before the submission’s deadline 15th February.
7. Check your figures.
Thoroughly checking and double checking your data ensures no last-minute surprises.
8. Have a clear step-by-step outline of how to gather your information
a. Prepare analysis of the volumes of packaging materials you have used in the previous year e.g. Plastic, cardboard bought in around supplied products, imported, or added by you.
b. Prepare analysis of how you have used these materials
– Primary packaging: the packaging immediately around the product – the last packaging to be removed in use and often the first to be added.
– Secondary packaging: protective packaging that often binds several items of product together e.g. cardboard outer packaging that contains several product packs (often removed by a retailer).
– Tertiary packaging: shrink wrap, and binding packaging that protects multiple packs of product on their way from your premises to your customer (often shrink wrap, pallet padding, and wooden pallets on first use in UK).
Martin, our Packaging Compliance Scheme Manager shares “Ensuring a smooth process for your data submissions is essential and as such we are continually working to help make the data submission process easier for our members. We offer support over the telephone and in person and have introduced Data Assist for those who require additional support.”
To contact our Packaging Compliance Team and learn more about how we can help you with data submission call 01273 929 227
