Closed 89 events
Lifecycle stage Implementation
843 days in stage

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR), led by DEFRA and devolved administrations, shifts waste management costs to producers and is being reformed through changes to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) system and modulated disposal fees. The scheme is active and includes emerging focus on PFAS contamination and polluter-pays principles for persistent chemicals.


Showing all 89 signals
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Signal
Year
Body
Role

2026

7 events
5 May 2026 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on proposals for reform to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) system — consultation closed

The PRN/PERN system was 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, and to fund investment in recycling, by obt

23 Apr 2026 | Committee report linked

Lack of supply chain transparency fundamentally undermines the UK’s ability to manage PFAS at end-of-life, leaving councils, waste operators and regulators unable to prevent products with PFAS entering landfill, and leading to further pollution of waterways, soil and the wider environment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93)

Lack of supply chain transparency fundamentally undermines the UK’s ability to manage PFAS at end-of-life, leaving councils, waste operators and regulators unable to prevent products with PFAS entering landfill, and leading to further pollution of waterways, soil and the wider …

24 Mar 2026 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on proposals for reform to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) system — consultation opened

The PRN/PERN system was 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, and to fund investment in recycling, by obt

2025

4 events
27 Feb 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) PackUK Scottish Government Welsh Government linked

UK joint policy statement on extended producer responsibility for packaging

A joint policy statement from Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and DAERA in Northern Ireland on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging

2024

2 events

2023

9 events
9 Oct 2023 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 — consultation closed

Following consultations in 2019 and 2021, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales confirmed in March 2022 the proposals to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging. Since then, we have been working to develop the …

28 Jul 2023 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consultation on the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 — consultation opened

Following consultations in 2019 and 2021, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales confirmed in March 2022 the proposals to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging. Since then, we have been working to develop the …

2022

32 events
7 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

The new Government should commit to reporting on progress against all these targets annually. We also recommend that the Government should devise mechanisms to enforce these targets either through an existing regulator or upcoming reforms. (Paragraph 26) Extended producer responsibility for packaging

The new Government should commit to reporting on progress against all these targets annually. We also recommend that the Government should devise mechanisms to enforce these targets either through an existing regulator or upcoming reforms. (Paragraph 26) Extended producer responsibility …

7 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the new Government reaffirms its commitment to Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging and a re-accelerated process to implement the system in order to meet the targets set for 2025. This requires publication of a consultation on EPR fees and any accompanying guidance in early 2023 and the introduction of the fee system by 2024.

We recommend that the new Government reaffirms its commitment to Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging and a re-accelerated process to implement the system in order to meet the targets set for 2025. This requires publication of a consultation on EPR …

7 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

Achieving the widespread adoption of reusable packaging and refill would require fundamental changes to a large part of our economy and to the mindset and behaviour of companies and consumers—it will not be possible to deliver this using the Extended Producer Responsibility reforms alone.

Achieving the widespread adoption of reusable packaging and refill would require fundamental changes to a large part of our economy and to the mindset and behaviour of companies and consumers—it will not be possible to deliver this using the Extended …

7 Nov 2022 | Committee report linked

We also recommend that, by the end of 2023, the new Government conduct a feasibility study of other mechanisms to encourage investment, including measures to rationalise the plastics market and introduce price-stabilising mechanisms for plastic recyclate, similar to those used for renewable energy. (Paragraph 84) Recycling “difficult” plastics

We also recommend that, by the end of 2023, the new Government conduct a feasibility study of other mechanisms to encourage investment, including measures to rationalise the plastics market and introduce price-stabilising mechanisms for plastic recyclate, similar to those used …

28 Oct 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste recycling notes reform — outcome published

We are seeking views on our proposed reforms to the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system.

18 Aug 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Call for Evidence on a Proposed Landfill Tax Grant Scheme for the Remediation of Contaminated Land — consultation closed

The government is aware of instances in which the redevelopment, remediation, and / or protection of land affected by contamination or the consequences of previous development may be prevented by the cost of landfill, including the Landfill Tax. Landfill Tax …

21 Jul 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Call for Evidence on a Proposed Landfill Tax Grant Scheme for the Remediation of Contaminated Land — consultation opened

The government is aware of instances in which the redevelopment, remediation, and / or protection of land affected by contamination or the consequences of previous development may be prevented by the cost of landfill, including the Landfill Tax. Landfill Tax …

21 May 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste recycling notes reform — consultation closed

We are seeking views on our proposed reforms to the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system.

21 May 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

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

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 …

26 Mar 2022 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste recycling notes reform — consultation opened

We are seeking views on our proposed reforms to the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system.

26 Mar 2022 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

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

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 …

13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked

We recommend that Ofwat require water companies, as a condition of their continued licensing, to deliver year-on-year reductions in the number of pollution incidents, with a target of zero serious incidents by 2030.

We recommend that Ofwat require water companies, as a condition of their continued licensing, to deliver year-on-year reductions in the number of pollution incidents, with a target of zero serious incidents by 2030. Type: recommendation | Number: 33 | Paragraph: …

2021

7 events
4 Jun 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

consultation closed

Following strong support, Government committed to introduce packaging Extended Producer Responsibility following a further consultation. This second consultation focuses on specific policy proposals for its introduction, including the scope of full net costs, producer obligations, scheme gove

24 Mar 2021 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

consultation opened

Following strong support, Government committed to introduce packaging Extended Producer Responsibility following a further consultation. This second consultation focuses on specific policy proposals for its introduction, including the scope of full net costs, producer obligations, scheme gove

2020

8 events
26 Nov 2020 | Government response linked

Producers, local authorities and recyclers have little or no incentive to re-use products over recycling them. (Paragraph 116) Recommendation 15

Producers, local authorities and recyclers have little or no incentive to re-use products over recycling them. (Paragraph 116) Recommendation 15 Type: conclusion | Number: 25 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: The Government recognises the importance of encouraging reuse to …

26 Nov 2020 | Government response linked

The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied when targets are missed. These targets must be set long term and ratchet over time to give the industry clarity and time to prepare. (Paragraph 117) Recycling Recommendation 17

The UK Government should set similar re-use targets for producer compliance schemes, with penalties levied when targets are missed. These targets must be set long term and ratchet over time to give the industry clarity and time to prepare. (Paragraph …

26 Nov 2020 | Government response linked

The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new products. This could be done through taxes on virgin materials, or through rewarding producers that use recycled products through eco-modulated fees. (Paragraph 150) Conclusion

The Government should find ways of driving the use of more recycled materials in new products. This could be done through taxes on virgin materials, or through rewarding producers that use recycled products through eco-modulated fees. (Paragraph 150) Conclusion Type: …

26 Nov 2020 | Committee report linked

Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years. For 2020 the target has been brought down to match the actual amount collected in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19. Targets are set annually, which prevents all parties in the system from investing in long term collection and treatment. (Paragraph 36) Recommendation 2

Targets for producer compliance schemes have been missed over recent years. For 2020 the target has been brought down to match the actual amount collected in 2019 due to the impact of Covid-19. Targets are set annually, which prevents all …

4 Sep 2020 | Statutory Instrument Scottish Government linked

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Reverse Vending Machines) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020

This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992. Article 2(2) introduces new class 9H of permitted development which creates permitted development rights for the installation, alteration, or replacement of reverse vending machines in a …

2019

2 events
5 Nov 2019 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Single use plastic: banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England — outcome published

Seeking views on plans to ban the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England.

2018

4 events
3 Dec 2018 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Single use plastic: banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England — consultation closed

Seeking views on plans to ban the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England.

22 Oct 2018 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Single use plastic: banning the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England — consultation opened

Seeking views on plans to ban the distribution and/or sale of plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England.

2017

3 events

2016

5 events

2015

6 events
23 Dec 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste: changing business targets for plastic and glass — consultation closed

Seeking views on options for plastic recycling targets between 2016 and 2020 and glass recycling targets for 2018 to 2020.

26 Nov 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste: changing business targets for plastic and glass — consultation opened

Seeking views on options for plastic recycling targets between 2016 and 2020 and glass recycling targets for 2018 to 2020.

26 Nov 2015 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Packaging waste: changing business targets for plastic and glass — outcome published

Seeking views on options for plastic recycling targets between 2016 and 2020 and glass recycling targets for 2018 to 2020.