EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (EPR)
EPR will require companies who have a turnover of
more than £1 million and who handle more than 25 tonnes of packaging per annum
to report their packaging data from 1 March 2023. If turnover is
greater than £2 million and a company is handling more than 50 tonnes of
packaging annually then there will also be a financial obligation which is
likely to start in Autumn 2025.
BPIF have in collaboration with Valpak produced a technical guide to the introduction of EPR. Also see the Executive Summary here.
As the vast majority of BPIF Cartons Converter
members are already obligated under the existing Packaging Waste Regulations
and will be members of a Compliance scheme our advice is that you liaise
closely with your existing scheme to ensure that you are fully compliant with
both the existing and future legislation.
The fees that will be charged under EPR (including
the Eco-Modulation fees) have not yet been announced. As soon as indicative
costs are known they will be communicated to you.
Lobbying is continuing with regard to ensuring that
we get the best possible outcomes for fibre based packaging on both the
Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) and the materials that will be
collected under Simpler Recycling. Currently the government is looking to
exclude Laminated paper/card from household recycling collections. We are
obviously challenging this decision.
We have set up a helpline on EPR at eprhelp@bpif.org.uk for any
queries that you may have on this subject.