Don’t Panic! EPR Data Reporting Deadline Extended

Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2023

Producers of packaging are required to collect and report data on the amount and type of packaging that they place on the market in England from March 2023 (or January 2023 if they have this data). 

A producer means an organisation operating in the UK as: 

• a brand owner; 
• a packer / filler; 
• an importer; 
• a distributor; 
• an online marketplace operator; 
• a service provider; or 
• a seller. 

Packaging is any material that is used to cover or protect goods that are sold to consumers and includes anything that is designed to be filled at the point of sale, e.g. paper coffee cups. 

The new regulatory position statement 

A new regulatory position statement (RPS) has been issued regarding Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2023 (the Data Regulations).

Organisations are now allowed to submit both packaging data reports by 31st May 2024 without the threat of enforcement action being taken. This extends the previous deadlines of 1st October 2023 for the first report and 1st April 2024 for the second report. 

Although the dates of enforcement have been extended, organisations are still required to record and report the data starting from 1st March 2023 (or January 2023 if they have it).

Records of this must be kept for two years to show compliance with the RPS. 

The decision to extend the deadline follows the Government’s decision to delay the payment regime under the EPR Regulations until October 2025, instead of October 2024. 

It’s advised that companies take this time to collect the data and ensure that it is accurate.

• To view the RPS on the Government website click here.
• To view the list of RPSs for England on the Legislation Update Service, click here.