Under extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR), current reporting deadlines are set for October this year and April 2025.
The new legislation applies to individual businesses, subsidiaries or groups which have an annual turnover of £1 million or more, carry out packaging activities and were responsible for importing or supplying more than 25 tonnes of it to the UK market in the previous calendar year.
Those obligated may have to pay a waste management fee, administrator costs and a charge to the appropriate environmental agency.
Andrew McCaffery, chief strategy officer at Ecoveritas, noted: “The new regulations bring a level of complication that many businesses simply aren’t equipped to handle on their own.
“Leveraging technology and expert guidance, such as what we provide at Ecoveritas, will be essential for companies to steer through these requirements efficiently and avoid potential penalties.
“If businesses fail to accurately report this data, they may end up paying more than is necessary and, while a penalty is yet to be set, they could be fined in the future.
“The new robust producer packaging responsibilities are not just about compliance- they represent a significant shift in how companies must manage their environmental impact, both within the UK and internationally.”
With the first deadline set for 1 October, Ecoveritas is encouraging companies to submit their data – even if it is late.
McCaffery added: “These new regulations are here to stay, whether companies like it or not. It is crucial that those affected adapt now, or they risk incurring hundreds of thousands of pounds in unnecessary costs.
“We have a responsibility to not only comply but also to protect our planet for future generations.”
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