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The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007

Overview

The primary objective of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 is to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste and encourage a circular economy approach. The regulations place the onus on producers to take responsibility for the packaging waste they generate throughout its lifecycle.

The regulations apply to businesses that meet specific criteria. Generally, a producer is defined as any person or company involved in the supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, packers, and sellers, who place packaging on the market. It is important for businesses to understand whether they fall under the scope of these regulations to ensure compliance.

Under the regulations, obligated businesses are required to fulfill certain obligations, primarily related to the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. Key obligations include:

  • Registration: Producers must register with the appropriate regulatory agency, such as the Environment Agency in England, to declare their packaging obligations.
  • Packaging Waste Recovery and Recycling Targets: Producers are assigned annual targets based on the type and quantity of packaging they place on the market. These targets aim to encourage the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.
  • Packaging Waste Reporting: Producers must maintain accurate records and submit annual reports on the amount and type of packaging they handle, as well as the measures taken to meet recycling targets.
  • Compliance Schemes: Producers can choose to join a compliance scheme, which helps them fulfill their obligations by organizing and funding recycling activities on their behalf.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 were made on the 15th of March 2007. 

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 fall under the jurisdiction of national authorities in the following countries: 

  • United Kingdom; 
  • England; 
  • Scotland; 
  • Wales; and 
  • Northern Ireland. 

Do the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 affect my business?

If your business uses packaging in any way, then you will have certain obligations as a producer under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007. For instance, obligated packaging producers must: 

  • Register with the Environment Agency as a packaging producer (and pay a fee) by 7 April; 
  • Complete an annual data submission detailing the amount and type of packaging you have handled; 
  • Meet your annual recovery and recycling obligation set by the government – so you need to calculate the number of tonnes of packaging waste to be recovered and recycled that you must finance; 
  • Provide evidence of this in the form of Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs), that can be bought from accredited recycling companies. If you are exporting packaging materials, you need to buy Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs); and 
  • Submit a certificate of compliance (CoC) by 31st January the following year. 

It is important to note that you can join a Producer Compliance scheme, for a fee, to outsource activities 1 – 5 above. 

Do I need the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 in my ISO Compliance Register?

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 apply to you, and will be needed in your ISO Compliance Register, if your business: 

  • Produce packaging or place it on the market; or 
  • Recycle packaging. 

Legislation related to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007

Legislation related to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 include: 

  • The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015 
  • Council Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste 

More information

Visit the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 article on the legislation.gov.uk website.

Create an account in the ISO Compliance Register App and add this article to your Register.