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Four nations issue joint statement on PackUK

Defra, the Scottish government, Welsh government and DAERA in Northern Ireland have published a Joint Policy Statement on Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR).

EPR packaging

A plan for the initial modulation of fees charged for managing waste materials based on their recyclability is thought to be available by June.

The statement outlines some of the initial aims for scheme administrator PackUK, focusing on the key outcomes below:

  • The use of environmentally sustainable packaging and the prevention of packaging becoming waste
  • An increase in the reuse of packaging, and in the quantity and quality of packaging materials recycled
  • A reduction in the packaging material placed on the market

The four nations view the delivery of these outcomes as “crucial to supporting the transition to a circular economy, while maximising the carbon efficiencies associated with the lifecycle of packaging materials”.

The statement continued: “The Scheme Administrator must deliver public information campaigns to provide consumers and businesses with information about how to recycle, re-use and dispose of packaging, and prevent packaging from becoming litter.”

With an annual progress reported to be released in September 2026, the four nations concluded:  “Should the administrator fail to set suitably stretching objectives, goals or performance indicators, or deliver against them, the four nations will consider whether it is appropriate to rely on their powers contained in regulation 59 of the Packaging Regulations 2024 to formally direct the scheme administrator to take, or refrain from taking, specified actions in order to improve performance.”

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