Consultation on Reforms to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Note (PERN) System and Operator Approval

The Government Response to the 2021 consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) outlined our decision to retain the PRN/PERN system as an interim solution for managing payments for non-household packaging waste. This system was originally introduced under the 1997 Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations as a way for producers to demonstrate that they have met their statutory recycling obligations each year, by obtaining evidence notes. These evidence notes, called Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Notes (PERNs), are issued by accredited recycling processors or exporters for each tonne of eligible packaging waste recycled. While wider EPR measures (including full net cost payments for household packaging, modulated fees, mandatory labelling and enhanced communications) should address many of the issues identified with the current producer responsibility arrangements, there are several