Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Consultation Released

The waste and resources sector have been waiting for the second consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to be released, after waiting over a year. The consultation will further outline details into how EPR will be implemented, and how this will impact stakeholders.

As expected in the weeks leading up to the release the transitional implementation of EPR has been confirmed to 2024, instead of 2023. This will allow businesses to better prepare for measures, including greater reporting requirements and will ensure sufficient time for a Scheme Administrator (SA) to be appointed.

Alongside the summary of consultation responses there is another consultation released looking for responses to proposed reforms of the PRN/PERN system, which will continue to run alongside EPR. The consultation can be found here.

Expected timeline

2023

– Current PRN system will run, without direct funding to Local Authorities

– Scheme Administrator will be mobilising

-Enhancements to data gathering for producers

2024

– Phased introduction of EPR

– Local Authorities begin receiving payments from obligated producers (April 4th)

-Additional changes to data submission for producers

2025

– Modulated fees introduced based on recyclability assessment of packaging

2026/27

– Scheme Administrator will be mobilising

-Review of EPR system

2027

– Plastic films and flexibles will need to be labelled as ‘recycle’ or ‘do not recycle’ by 31 March 2027

Martin Trigg-Knight, Head of Compliance at Clarity Environmental, was pleased to finally have something to move forwards with, to ensure continued development and investment in the sector to reach the ambitious targets set out.

“It was great to see Defra’s consultation response summary released over the weekend. This has been much anticipated, and we welcome the pragmatic approach to implementing EPR that Defra has taken. With the costs for producers now set to be £1.7 billion pounds, the delay in introducing EPR will hopefully relieve some of the pressures businesses are currently facing. Defra’s approach to ensuring that recycling infrastructure is still funded through the PRN system was also welcomed and will now give reprocessors the confidence to make the investments necessary to ensure that EPR delivers an even better UK recycling capability.”  

“Also crucial to the success of EPR is how the other parts of the Resource and Waste Strategy are brought into play, so that they all interact in a cohesive manner. For compliance schemes I believe it will be essential to understanding how the EPR Statutory Instrument (SI) and Data Reporting SI will inform how we prepare packaging producers, and ensuring steps are in place to manage these changing data requirements effectively.”

Further information

We will be supporting our Packaging Compliance Members through these changing regulations, to understand how best to future proof your business against the potential impacts. Sign up to our newsletter below or get in touch to find our how to keep up to date with Extended Producer Responsibility.