Labelling temporarily removed from packaging EPR
Mandatory packaging labelling obligation under packaging EPR is postponed.
Government have taken the decision to remove the packaging labelling provisions in the Main pEPR Statutory Instrument (SI), which was notified to the World Trade Organisation and the European Union on the 1st May 2024.
The Main pEPR SI is due to enter into force for the 1st of January 2025 and will repeal The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 and The Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) Regulations 2023 in each UK nation. The Main pEPR SI contains the provisions for the operation of the packaging compliance system from 2025 onwards.
What does this mean for packaging producers?
As the mandatory packaging labelling obligation has been removed from the Main pEPR SI, this means that producers will not have an obligation to label their packaging by the 1st of April 2027, as previously required, when the Main pEPR SI enters into force in 2025.
Before this news, the recycling label to be applied onto all primary and shipment packaging by producers was the Recycle Now swoosh, which is also used by the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme. Producers can still opt to be a member of OPRL and apply the OPRL labels to their packaging in this interim period, to inform customers of how to recycle packaging.
Could government bring in a labelling obligation in future?
Government has stated that this removal of the obligation is a temporary position and that they remain committed to implementing a mandatory packaging labelling obligation in the pEPR regime in future, to make it easier for consumers to understand how to recycle packaging correctly.
Government has indicated it will likely bring in a mandatory packaging labelling obligation via an amendment to the Main pEPR Regulations when in force. Government plans to review the incoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations, which will replace the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive that was adopted in the 1990s, to explore if there can be consistency in labelling approaches between the EU and the UK.
Further support for producers
We are waiting for more information from Government on their future plans for incorporating the mandatory packaging labelling obligation within the pEPR regime and shall keep our members informed when new information is released.
Beyondly are here to support our members every step of the way during the pEPR reform, so if you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts with us, please drop a line to our team on packaging@beyond.ly
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