Government Guidance and Legislation
Extended Producer Responsibility
If you use, handle, import or generate a certain level of packaging, then you may be affected by the new extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation.
This work is being led by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency, and for companies in scope, there is a requirement to collate, upload and submit data by 1 October 2023.
Please note that there are different obligations depending on how much packaging you supply and how you supply it in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For details on the legislation, and to assess your obligations, click here.
Environment Act 2021
The Environment Act, which became law in 2021, acts as the UK's new framework of environmental protection.
Plastic Packaging Tax
The plastic packaging tax is an environmental tax designed to provide a financial incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of plastic packaging. It was introduced on 1 April this year, and companies who manufacture or import plastic packaging into the UK may need to register and pay any tax due. More information is available here.