The pEPR scheme was devised in order to shift the cost of dealing with household packaging waste onto the businesses that produce it, rather than taxpayers.

Small organisations need to submit their data for January-December 2024 by 1 April.

Large organisations need to submit for the July-December 2024 period, also by 1 April.

Obligated companies of all sizes need to register with the environmental regulator by the same date.

Firms with turnover of more than £1m, and that imported or supplied more than 25 tonnes of packaging to the UK market in the previous year, need to register.

Further details about the definition of packaging and packaging activities, and what firms need to do to comply with the rules can be found here.

Legislation regarding the obligations came into force on 1 January 2024.

PackUK, which administers the scheme, was officially launched last month.

Head of PackUK Dr Margaret Bates commented: “We urge all businesses to check their obligations under pEPR and to report their data and register with environment regulators by 1 April. 

“Together, we will deliver a fair and collaborative scheme that addresses the challenges of packaging waste and lays the foundation for a more sustainable and responsible approach to packaging.”