Defra delays EPR fees to October 2025

However, the department said that other timescales “have not changed”, so producers still have to report packaging data for 2023.

This means that payments to local authorities, which were due to start in October 2024, will now start in October 2025.

A live reaction blog featuring a roundup of views on the decision can be found here.

Defra’s update explained: “There’s been a decision to defer extended producer responsibility for packaging fees for one year. This update reflects that, and also explains that other timescales have not changed – producers still have to report packaging data for 2023.

“As soon as we can, we will give you an indication of what the material fees will be. These will vary depending on the materials you report.

“In future, the waste management fees will also vary depending on how easily the packaging can be recycled. Your fee will be lower if you use packaging that is easier to recycle.”

Delay

The announcement confirms strong rumours which have been circulating in recent weeks that the policy will be pushed back.

Published minutes from the Advisory Committee on Packaging meeting showed that Defra was planning to “transition” the rollout of the legislation, adding that “there will need to be a degree of pragmatism in years 1 and 2 of operation as the new systems and processes bed in”.

This led to further rumours that the legislation itself could be rolled out, but payments made at a later date (see letsrecycle.com story).

Despite this, Defra has said throughout that its position on EPR remains “unchanged”.

Producers have also been lobbying hard for a delay, even meeting with the Prime Minister to raise concerns over EPR in light of cost-of-living fears.

The latest delay will push the main part of EPR to after the 2024 election, potentially adding further delays.