Manufacturing & Engineering UK-wide

Packaging Producer Responsibility

Register for EPR, report packaging data, and meet recycling obligations through PRN/PERN purchases or compliance schemes.

Guide summary

Register for packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) if your annual turnover is £2 million or more and you handle 50 tonnes or more of packaging a year. You must report your packaging data twice a year and buy Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) to meet recycling targets. The deadline for January to June 2024 data is 1 October 2024. Late registration can lead to a fine of up to £200,000 or 12 months in prison.

  • Register if turnover is £2m+ AND packaging is 50+ tonnes a year
  • Report packaging data twice a year (Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec)
  • Submit Jan-Jun 2024 data by 1 October 2024
  • Buy PRNs or PERNs to meet recycling targets per material
  • Join an approved compliance scheme to handle registration and reporting
  • Pay fees based on packaging type and tonnage
  • Penalty for late registration: up to £200,000 or 12 months in prison
  • Lower fees if your packaging is recyclable or contains recycled material
  • Brand owners must pay full disposal costs for their branded packaging
On this page

Related guides in EPR Packaging

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging makes businesses financially responsible for the packaging they place on the UK market. If you meet the thresholds, you must register, report data, and pay fees towards packaging waste collection and recycling.

Who is obligated

  • Large producers: £2m+ turnover AND 50+ tonnes packaging
  • Brand owners: Pay full disposal costs for branded packaging
  • Importers: Obligated for packaging on imported goods
  • Online marketplaces: May be obligated for third-party sellers

Recycling obligations and the PRN system

Obligated businesses must contribute to UK recycling targets by purchasing Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) or Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) as evidence that packaging waste has been recycled.

How the PRN system works

  • Government sets annual recycling targets by material
  • Your obligation is calculated based on packaging you handle
  • Buy PRNs/PERNs from accredited reprocessors or exporters
  • Submit evidence to prove you've met your obligation

Compliance options

You can comply through an approved compliance scheme (who handle registration, reporting, PRN purchasing and evidence submission on your behalf) or register directly with the national regulators.

Compliance schemes

Most businesses join a compliance scheme for simplicity. Schemes charge membership fees plus per-tonne costs based on your packaging mix and the PRN market price. They handle all regulatory reporting and evidence submission.

Direct registration

Larger businesses may choose direct registration with the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, SEPA (Scotland), or NIEA (Northern Ireland). This requires managing your own data submissions and PRN purchases.