Packaging producer compliance journey
- 1 step
UK Statutory Instrument
2024
United Kingdom
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
82 compliance obligations, 9 practical guides across 2 topics · 8 journeys
Penalty landscape
5 of 82 obligations carry a criminal penalty. 2 carry different penalties and 75 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Plus 25 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Export to the EU after Brexit
- 1 step
Meet environmental compliance requirements
- 2 steps
Manage your export compliance
- 1 step
Environmental compliance for manufacturers
- 2 steps
Start a retail business - compliance essentials
- 1 step
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
4 guidesMentioned in related content
4 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Except where the application is made under regulation 28(2), the...
- Report the tonnage of packaging supplied in the relevant calendar year
Whether or not the producer is liable to pay disposal...
- Declare disposal fee liability status in your registration application
Where the producer is a brand owner—
- Provide details of branding marks on packaging and unbranded packaging
Where the producer is a partnership, the names of all...
- Provide names of all partners if your business is a partnership
If the producer performs more than one such function, which...
- Identify your main packaging function if you perform more than one role
(1) In this Schedule, all references to the weight of...
- Report packaging weights in kilograms and keep evidence for any exclusions
(1) The weight in kilograms, in each packaging category, of...
- Report weights of packaging waste collected and recycled from consumers
Confirmation that the scheme operator has, where applicable, satisfied the...
- Scheme operator must show compliance with regulations 55 and 56
Complaints procedure
- Scheme administrator must establish a complaints procedure for producers and authorities
Strategy
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish a strategy within 6 months of appointment Statutory regulator
Operational plan
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish annual operational plan by 28 February Statutory regulator
Annual report
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish annual report on packaging EPR Crown / Minister / Government department
Accounts
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish auditable accounts by 30th September Statutory regulator
Revocation of appointment of a PRO
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must revoke PRO appointment and follow due process on revocation Statutory regulator
Principles
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must act fairly, transparently and efficiently in running the packaging waste scheme Statutory regulator
Communications
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must maintain communication and consultation arrangements Statutory regulator
Public information
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must inform public and businesses about packaging waste Statutory regulator
Guidance, etc., to relevant authorities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish and update guidance for local authorities and businesses Statutory regulator
Methodology and guidance on assessment of recyclability
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must develop and publish recyclability assessment methodology and guidance Statutory regulator
Statement of policy on modulation of disposal fees
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must publish and consult on disposal fee modulation policy Statutory regulator
Lists
- Scheme administrator must compile, update and publish packaging waste lists
A reprocessor must report the following information to the appropriate...
- Report packaging waste recycling data to your environment agency
An exporter must report the following information to the appropriate...
- Report packaging waste exports to the environmental regulator
Application of conditions
- Comply with accreditation conditions and submit monthly/annual PRN and PERN reports
Conditions applying to reprocessors
- Issue PRNs only within accreditation limits and recycle received waste
A reprocessor must, in relation to each PRN it issues,...
- Keep records for each Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) you issue
(1) A reprocessor must provide a monthly report to the...
- Reprocessors must submit monthly and annual packaging waste reports
Conditions applying to exporters
- Meet conditions before issuing PERNs for exported packaging waste
An exporter must, in relation to each PERN it issues,...
- Keep detailed records for each PERN you issue
(1) An exporter must provide a monthly report to the...
- Submit monthly and annual PERN reports to the environment agency
Conditions applying to both reprocessors and exporters
- Implement your business plan, sampling plan and accreditation procedures
A reprocessor or exporter— (a) must not issue PRNs or...
- Issuing PRNs and PERNs — rules for reprocessors and exporters
The records required to be kept by a reprocessor under...
- Keep and retain records of packaging waste reprocessing or export
(1) Where in relation to the year in which NC...
- Meet packaging waste obligations when joining a corporate group mid-year
Where, in relation to the year during which XC leaves...
- Register individually within 28 days if your company leaves a packaging waste group registration
Where, in relation to the year during which XC leaves...
- Cover packaging waste obligations when a group member leaves mid-year
Where, immediately before leaving the first group, CC is registered...
- Comply with packaging waste obligations for the full year when leaving a corporate group
Individual and group registrations
- Register as a packaging producer each year (individually or via group)
Effect of group registration: producer responsibility obligations
- Holding company must manage group's packaging obligations and keep records
(1) Where PB has obligations under this Part, PB must...
- Collect and retain packaging waste data from tenants for 7 years
Obligations of licensors
- Comply with packaging waste obligations as a licensor
(1) Where LR has obligations under this Part, LR must...
- Collect and keep packaging waste data for at least 7 years
(1) The relevant appeal body or other person determining an...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Appeal body must give written decision and reasons to appellants Tribunal / Court
A compliance notice must include information as to—
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulator must include key information in compliance notices Statutory regulator
(1) An enforcement agency which is satisfied that an enforcement...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement agency must issue compliance certificate within 14 days Statutory regulator
Reprocessors, exporters, PRNs and PERNs
- Accredited reprocessors/exporters: meet 2007 obligations until February 2026
Producers: transitional reporting obligations for 2024 data
- Report 2024 packaging data under transitional rules
Producers: calculation of disposal fees
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must calculate producer disposal fees using reported data and scaled-up amounts Statutory regulator
Amendment of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (Prescribed Relevant Offences and Relevant Enforcement Action) Regulations 2013
- Commit certain offences under packaging waste regulations
Browse 158 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Payment of charges
Producers
Compliance schemes
Registration of producers which are compliance scheme members
Reprocessors and exporters: registration
Reprocessors and exporters: accreditation
Abatement
Annual increases for inflation
Charging schemes
In this Schedule— “the 1986 Act” means the Insolvency Act...
For the purposes of these Regulations, an insolvency event takes...
For the purposes of these Regulations, an insolvency event takes...
For the purposes of these Regulations, an insolvency event takes...
The name, address and telephone number of—
The producer’s turnover in the financial year referred to in...
If the producer is not habitually resident in the United...
The business name of the producer if different from that...
The name and contact details, including an email address, of...
The address for service of notices on the producer if...
Which of the functions described in regulations 16 to 22...
The relevant SIC code for the function the producer performs...
The weight in kilograms of household packaging in each packaging...
(1) The weight in kilograms of— (a) all packaging supplied...
(1) The weight in kilograms , in each packaging category,...
The number of plastic or paper bags supplied in England...
The weight of packaging in each packaging category which the...
The weight of household packaging in each packaging category which...
A description of the methodology used by the producer to...
A breakdown of the packaging in each packaging category which...
The weight of household packaging in each packaging category which...
The weight of packaging, and the number of units of...
(1) In relation to each relevant producer to whom the...
Where the producer has instituted a system of reusing reusable...
(1) A producer’s obligations to recycle packaging waste in a...
(1) The amount of packaging waste to be recycled by...
The following percentages are prescribed as the recycling target “Y”...
The following percentage targets are prescribed as the recycling targets...
Where the appropriate agency is satisfied that a producer has...
For the purposes of this Schedule, recycling “by re-melt” means...
The information to be contained in the operational plan referred...
The name of the scheme operator, and where the scheme...
The address and telephone number of— (a) the registered office...
The name and contact details, including an email address, of...
The business name of the scheme operator, if different from...
The address for service of notices on the scheme operator...
Full particulars of the agreement for the constitution of the...
In relation to each producer who is a member of...
Which of the functions described in regulations 16 to 22...
If a member performs more than one such function, which...
The relevant SIC code for the function each member of...
That sufficient financial resources and technical expertise will be available...
How the recycling obligations of the scheme operator underregulation 43(3)(c)...
The steps the scheme operator proposes to take to recycle...
In relation to PERNs and PRNs which the scheme operator...
The contracts the scheme operator anticipates will be made with...
How the scheme operator is assisting reprocessors to direct resources...
How information referred to in regulation 45(1) is to be...
The name of the compliance scheme.
Power to delegate functions
Appointment of a PRO: supplementary
Transfer of assets etc.
Transitional provision in connection with paragraph 1C
Continuity in exercise of functions
Guidance, etc., to producers
Reprocessors
Exporters
The name and contact details, including an email address, of...
The trading name of the exporter if different from the...
The address for service of notices on the exporter if...
Where the exporter is a partnership, the names of all...
The category of packaging waste for which the application is...
The locations in the United Kingdom from which the packaging...
In relation to each overseas reprocessing site to which the...
Information on the recycling operations carried out at the overseas...
(1) In this Part, “reporting period” means—
The name and contact details, including an email address, of...
(1) In this Part, a reference to the weight of...
The trading name of the reprocessor if different from that...
The address for service of notices on the reprocessor if...
Where the reprocessor is a partnership, the names of all...
The name and address of the reprocessing site for which...
A list of all the categories of packaging waste the...
The category of packaging waste for which the application is...
Information on the recycling operations the reprocessor wishes the registration...
Application and interpretation
The proportion referred to in paragraphs 9(2) and 10(2) is...
Producer ceasing to be a member of a corporate group
Producer changing corporate groups
Where, immediately before leaving the first group, CC is registered...
Large and small producers: application of thresholds to relevant group companies
Application for group registration
Effect of group registration: liability for disposal fees and administration fees
Producer joining a corporate group
NC must be registered with the appropriate agency either—
(1) Where, in relation to the year in which NC...
Meaning of “licence agreement”, “licensor” and “licensee”
The case in this paragraph is that—
The case in this paragraph is that—
(1) PB must report every 12 months—
For the purposes of paragraphs 10 to 13, the packaging...
Interpretation of this Schedule
The case in this paragraph is that—
The case in this paragraph is that—
(1) LR must report every 12 months—
For the purposes of paragraphs 3 to 6, the packaging...
Meaning of “pub operating agreement”, “pub operating business” and “tenant”
Obligations of pub operating businesses
Application
Appeals to First Tier Tribunal
Appeals to Planning Appeals Commission or Scottish Ministers
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the notice of appeal must...
Where under regulation 106(3) the appeal is by way of...
Appeals to the Sheriff
Modifications to the 1995 Act
Modifications to the 1997 Order
(1) The following table sets out requirements and prohibitions for...
(1) A variable monetary penalty may not be imposed on...
(1) Where an enforcement agency proposes to impose a variable...
A person on whom a notice of intent is served...
(1) After the end of the period for making representations...
A final notice for a variable monetary penalty must include...
(1) The person receiving the final notice may appeal against...
(1) If a notice of intent for a variable monetary...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a compliance notice may not...
(1) The person receiving the notice may appeal against it....
(1) The amount of a fixed monetary penalty under these...
(1) An enforcement undertaking must specify— (a) action to secure...
If an enforcement agency has accepted an enforcement undertaking then,...
(1) Each enforcement agency must establish and publish the procedure...
(1) A person who has given inaccurate, misleading or incomplete...
(1) This paragraph applies where an enforcement undertaking is not...
(1) Where an enforcement agency proposes to impose a fixed...
A person on whom a notice of intent is served...
(1) If the person who has received a notice of...
A final notice must include information as to—
(1) The person receiving the final notice may appeal against...
(1) The penalty must be paid within a period of...
(1) If a notice of intent to impose a fixed...
The name and address of the registered office, head office...
The number assigned to each producer, compliance scheme, reprocessor and...
In relation to each registered producer— (a) whether the producer...
In relation to each registered compliance scheme—
In relation to registered reprocessors and exporters, and accredited reprocessors...
Any information which the appropriate agency is required to publish...
Record-keeping obligations
Information notices
Appropriate agencies: reports
Producers: amendment of reports submitted under the 2023 Data Regulations
Producers: transitional reporting obligations for 2025 data
Producers: scaling up of data reported for part of a reporting period
Producers: transitional packaging
Producers: approved persons
Compliance schemes
Amendment of the 2007 Regulations
Amendment of the 2007 (NI) Regulations
Amendment of the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
The following instruments are revoked— (a) the Packaging Waste (Data...
The following instruments are revoked on 1st January 2026—
Appropriate agency
- Elect which UK regulator applies if you have no UK office
Recyclability assessments
- Carry out and maintain recyclability assessments for packaging you supply
Corporate mergers
- Merged company must register and take on packaging waste obligations
Application for producer registration
- Apply for producer registration by the relevant deadline
Record keeping obligations
- Keep packaging data and recycling evidence for at least 7 years
Obligation to report results of recyclability assessments
- Report recyclability assessment results for household packaging every 6 months
Obligation to report data on plastic or paper bags supplied in England
- Report data on plastic or paper bags supplied in England
Recycling obligations
- Large producers must meet recycling obligations by acquiring PRNs or PERNs
Certification obligation
- Submit annual certificate of compliance for packaging recycling obligations
Mid-year changes to compliance scheme membership
- Handle all packaging waste obligations yourself if you leave your compliance scheme mid-year
Power to direct the scheme administrator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must consult and explain directions given to the scheme administrator Statutory regulator
Calculation of disposal fee: household packaging waste
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must calculate household packaging disposal fees for each producer Statutory regulator
Calculation of disposal fee: costs of providing public information
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must calculate your share of public information costs Statutory regulator
Household packaging waste disposal fees: modulation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must modulate disposal fees based on packaging sustainability Statutory regulator
Adjustments to disposal costs: effective service
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must assess local authority waste management effectiveness Statutory regulator
Distribution to relevant authorities and the scheme administrator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scheme administrator must distribute disposal fees to local authorities quarterly Statutory regulator
Relevant authorities: costs of providing information
- Respond to regulator cost proposals and pay reasonable information costs
Registration: reprocessors
- Register as a packaging waste reprocessor with the environment agency
Registration: exporters
- Register as an exporter of packaging waste for recycling
Prohibition on issuing PRNs and PERNs unless accredited
- Do not issue PRNs or PERNs unless accredited and conditions met
Applications for accreditation: reprocessors
- Apply for accreditation to issue packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs)
Applications for accreditation: exporters
- Apply for accreditation to issue PERNs as a packaging waste exporter
Monitoring plans and reports
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must publish annual packaging monitoring plans and reports Statutory regulator
Offences: producers
- Fail to register, report, or comply as a packaging producer
Offences: scheme operators
- Fail to meet scheme operator obligations under packaging waste regulations
Offences: reprocessors and exporters
Unlimited fine- Operate without being registered or violate accreditation conditions for packaging waste
Further offences
- Provide false information, fail to comply with notices, or obstruct regulators
Penalties for offences
Unlimited fine- Commit an offence under the Packaging Waste Regulations
Offences: supplementary
- Be personally liable for packaging waste offences committed by your company
Enforcement cost recovery notices
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement agencies must include required details in cost recovery notices Statutory regulator
Publication of enforcement action
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement agencies must publish civil sanctions on a public register Statutory regulator
Public register
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment agencies must maintain online public register of packaging producers and schemes Statutory regulator
Delegation of approved persons’ functions: supplementary
- Apply for delegation of approved person functions in the agency's specified form
Browse 111 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation, commencement, extent and application
Interpretation
Modification of the Waste Directive
Establishment in the United Kingdom
Drink
Packaging and packaging categories
Household packaging
Household packaging waste
Supply
Exempt packaging
Exclusion of charities
Charges for applications etc.
Electronic documents etc.
Producers
Brand owners
Packer/fillers
Importers and first UK owners
Distributors
Online marketplace operators
Service providers
Sellers
Large and small producers
Threshold criteria: large and small producers
Producer responsibility obligations
Insolvency, etc., of producers
Transfers of ownership of a brand or business
Transfers of ownership: further obligations where the transferor is a large producer
Making an application for producer registration
Determination of applications for producer registration
Conditions of registration of a producer
Cancellation of registration of producers
Information to be collected and reported by producers
Reporting obligations: large producers
Reporting obligations: small producers
Reporting obligations: general provisions
Producers: effect of compliance scheme membership
Obligations of compliance schemes
Producer responsibility obligations carried out by scheme operators
Provision of information by producers to compliance schemes
Application for approval of a compliance scheme
Conditions of approval of a compliance scheme
Withdrawal of approval of a compliance scheme
Voluntary withdrawal of approval
Application for registration of a compliance scheme
Determination of application for compliance scheme registration
Conditions of registration of a compliance scheme
Cancellation of registration of a compliance scheme
Records and reports
Statement of compliance
Interpretation of this Part
Scheme administrator
Liability of producers to pay annual disposal and administration fees
Calculation of disposal fees
Calculation of administration fee
Provision for impairments
Notice of liability
Late assessment of disposal and administration fees
Payments and interest
Disposal costs of relevant authorities for household packaging waste
Assessment by the scheme administrator: relevant authority disposal costs
Adjustments to disposal costs: waste income and determination of net efficient disposal costs
Procedure for assessments
Notice of assessment
Assessment of disposal costs: scheme administrator public information services
Recalculations
Recalculation of disposal and administration fees
Recalculations: chargeable disposal costs
Recalculations: supplementary
Recalculation notices: producers
Recalculation notices: relevant authorities
Interpretation
Determination of registration applications
Conditions of registration and annual charge
Variation of sampling and inspection plan
Cancellation of registration of reprocessors and exporters
Records and reporting requirements for registered reprocessors and exporters
Requirements for accreditation
Applications for accreditation: general requirements
Determination of accreditation applications
Conditions of accreditation
Variation of accreditation
Suspension and cancellation of accreditation
Packaging supplied by corporate groups
Packaging supplied by licensors and their licensees, and by pub operating businesses and their tenants
Interpretation
Right of appeal: decisions of the appropriate agency and civil sanctions
Right of appeal: disposal costs and scheme administrator costs
Procedure on appeals
Status pending appeal
Determination of appeals
Monitoring
Powers to obtain information
Powers of entry etc: England, Wales and Scotland
Powers of entry etc: Northern Ireland
Interpretation
Civil sanctions
Civil sanctions: Scottish enforcement agencies
Payment of penalties into Consolidated Fund etc
Withdrawing or amending a notice
Policy statement
Guidance and protocols
Database of reported information
Fit and proper person test
Approved persons
Delegation of approved persons’ functions
Information sharing
Implementation of relevant deposit schemes
Transitional, transitory and saving provisions
Consequential amendments
Revocations
Review
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Natural Resources Wales / Regulatory Statement 035.2: Small-scale heat treatment of waste plastics for recovery (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
- Natural Resources Wales / Regulatory statement 119: pEPR recyclability assessment obligations for January to June 2025 (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
- Natural Resources Wales / Regulatory statement 114: pEPR producer data requirements (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
- Natural Resources Wales / Regulatory statement 118: pEPR – definition of fibre-based composite material (FBC) (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
- FSA — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) (opens in a new tab) from FSA Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: check if you need to register for Plastic Packaging Tax (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- HSE — food manufacturing (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Northern Ireland waste legislation (NetRegs) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Plastic packaging tax (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Extended producer responsibility for packaging 2025 base fees (opens in a new tab) Publication
- ... and 8 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Northern Ireland's environmental regulator. Part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Issues environmental permits, regulates waste and emissions, …
Natural Resources Wales
Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental …
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Regulators
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