United Kingdom (UK) EPR for Packaging: EPR Registration and Data Reporting
United Kingdom EPR Regulations for Manufacturers, Importers and Ecommerce
Quick answer: If your UK business has ≥ £1m turnover, handles ≥ 25 tonnes of packaging, and performs in-scope activities (brand owner, packer/filler, importer, online marketplace, service provider, or empty-packaging supplier), you must collect and report packaging data. From 2025 onwards, both small and large organisations must report, and waste management fees will apply based on recyclability. Nation data for 2024 must be submitted by 1 December 2025.
Workflow: Check if obligated → Create RPD account / or join a compliance scheme → Collect & verify packaging + nation data → Submit by deadlines → Pay 2025 fees.
United Kingdom EPR for Packaging: EPR Registration and Data Reporting
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) shifts packaging waste costs to producers. UK organisations must minimise packaging waste, design for recyclability, and meet recycling targets. Under the UK EPR packaging regime: register (or join a compliance scheme), report required data, and—starting from 2025—pay waste management fees.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom EPR Regulations for Manufacturers, Importers and Ecommerce
Businesses are in scope if all apply: individual business/subsidiary/group (not a charity), ≥ £1m turnover, ≥ 25 tonnes packaging handled in prior year, and perform any in-scope packaging activity. Key activities include brand owner supply, pack/fill, import, owning an online marketplace, hiring/loaning reusable packaging, or supplying empty packaging.
- Small organisation: £1m–£2m turnover >25t, or >£1m turnover and 25–50t.
- Large organisation: ≥£2m turnover and >50t.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
Covered and Exempted Packaging under United Kingdom EPR
- Covered scope: household and non-household packaging; primary, secondary, shipment, tertiary classes.
- Exports: Packaging exported from the UK is exempt from obligations—maintain a robust audit trail for 7 years.
- Duty-free goods: treated as exported (not obligated).
- Reused packaging: Primary packaging reused in its original form is exempt; secondary/tertiary reused is exempt unless imported. Keep evidence that reuse occurred and exemption was applied appropriately.
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Who Must Register under United Kingdom EPR
- Meet the turnover and tonnage thresholds noted above.
- Carry out one or more in-scope packaging activities (brand owner, packer/filler, importer, online marketplace operator, service provider for reusable packaging, empty-packaging supplier).
- Register individually via the government service or join an approved compliance scheme.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom EPR Data Reporting
From 2025, both small and large organisations must report packaging data. Data elements include:
- Packaging activity (brand owner, packer/filler, importer, distributor of empty packs, online marketplace, service provider).
- Packaging type (household or non-household).
- Packaging class (primary, secondary, shipment, tertiary).
- Material and weight (including components).
- Nation data: where packaging is supplied in the UK and where it is discarded.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom EPR Schedule and Deadlines
- From 2025 onwards:
- Large organisations — report packaging data every 6 months.
- Small organisations — report packaging data annually (first report due April 2025 for 2024 data).
- Nation data — 2024 calendar-year submission due 1 December 2025.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom EPR Fees and Penalties
- No EPR packaging fees applied in 2024; fees start in 2025 based on 2024 data.
- Waste management fees vary by recyclability and other factors.
- Registration charges apply when registering with the environmental regulator.
- Recycling obligations are evidenced via PRNs/PERNs obtained from accredited reprocessors/exporters.
- Late reporting may incur a late fee.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
Common EPR Compliance Challenges in United Kingdom
- Classifying packaging correctly (household vs non-household; class and material splits).
- Maintaining audit-ready evidence for exports, duty-free treatment, and reuse.
- Gathering accurate nation data across UK supply and discard points.
- Co-ordinating biannual (large) vs annual (small) submissions.
- Planning early for PRN/PERN procurement and 2025 waste-management fees.
Get access to our comprehensive EPR guide for the United Kingdom
Why choose RegSurance as your United Kingdom EPR Compliance Partner
RegSurance is a trusted EPR compliance service provider for international businesses needing to comply with United Kingdom packaging EPR rules. We support manufacturers, importers, and e-commerce sellers with complete EPR solutions — including EPR registration, packaging compliance assessments, ongoing regulatory updates, and accurate EPR data reporting for United Kingdom. With our in-depth knowledge of United Kingdom EPR requirements, we ensure your business stays fully compliant and up to date with changing legislation.
Get expert help with EPR registration for United Kingdom with compliance assessment and data reporting
- Get a free EPR compliance Assessment
- Receive a personalized registration roadmap
- Book a 1:1 consultation with our experts
- Register or Sign-in for our comprehensive EPR Compliance Guide
Frequently Asked Questions — UK EPR for Packaging
1) Who is obligated under UK EPR for packaging?
Organisations with ≥ £1m turnover that handled ≥ 25 tonnes of packaging in the previous year and carry out in-scope activities.
2) How do I know if I’m a small or large organisation?
Small: £1m–£2m turnover >25t, or >£1m turnover and 25–50t. Large: ≥£2m turnover and >50t.
3) Which packaging is covered and what is exempt?
All household/non-household packaging across all classes. Exports, duty-free goods, and qualifying reused packaging have exemptions (subject to evidence).
4) What data must I collect and report?
Activity, type, class, material & weight, and nation data.
5) When are the key submission deadlines?
From 2025: Large organisations report every 6 months; Small organisations report annually; Nation data for 2024 is due 1 Dec 2025.
6) Do I pay EPR packaging fees in 2024?
No. Fees start from 2025 based on your 2024 data.
7) What are PRNs and PERNs?
PRNs and PERNs are evidence that packaging waste has been recycled, obtained from accredited reprocessors/exporters.
8) How do exports affect my data?
Exported packaging is excluded from obligations, but you must keep evidence for 7 years.
9) What is “nation data” and who must submit it?
Information on the UK nation where packaging is supplied and discarded. Organisations meeting EPR scope with specific activities (direct to end users, empty packs to non-obligated/small orgs, reusable hire/loan, online marketplaces, or imports for own use) must submit it.
10) Can I use a compliance scheme?
Yes. You may join an approved compliance scheme on the public register.