Regulation guidance: Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is now in effect. What does it mean for those in the print industry? Sustainability consultant Rachel England outlines everything you need to know.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme shifts the costs of managing household waste onto the producers of packaging. This is designed to create a more circular economy, by encouraging producers to reduce their use of packaging and take steps to make sure the packaging they do use is easier to recycle. Under EPR, producers are also expected to meet ambitious recycling targets and support consumer action through clear recyclability labelling.

In the UK, EPR is a reform of the previous UK Packaging Waste Regulations (not to be confused with the Plastic Packaging Tax) and will be introduced in a phased approach with full implementation by 2027. Since January 2025, the scheme has been overseen by a new administrator called PackUK – hosted by the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) working on behalf of the four UK nations (and known as PecynUK in Wales).

The reporting complexities of EPR may represent a challenge for printers, largely because compliance relies on having full and granular oversight of supply chains and processes. George Atkinson, Head of Policy at EPR compliance provider Valpak, says that printers are in a unique position because it’s not always clear what packaging they are obligated for.

“They’re right in in the middle of that supply chain and EPR requires data that lots of businesses don’t have centrally gathered, so it represents a real administrative burden,” he says. “And even though the government is pushing lots of information about EPR – and in my experience, knowledge of the scheme is increasing across the sector – the cost of business is increasing, so EPR is being pushed back down organisations’ agendas.”

However, it’s critical that printers take action on their obligations, especially as the first reporting deadline has now passed. “It won’t be a case of ‘no harm, no foul’,” says Atkinson. “We can expect the environment agencies to bring some sort of enforcement against those that aren’t complying, whether that’s financial penalties or full prosecutions.”

Given the complexities of EPR reporting, many businesses – including printers – are turning to compliance schemes for help. According to Atkinson, there are some 20 compliance schemes in the UK supporting…