In today’s evolving regulatory landscape, UK manufacturers are facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is a key piece of legislation driving this shift, holding producers accountable for the full lifecycle of their packaging—from production to end-of-life management. Introduced under the Environment Act 2021 and phased in since 2023, EPR aims to foster a circular economy by minimising waste, boosting recycling rates, and encouraging eco-friendly design. For UK businesses in sectors like food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, compliance isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s an opportunity to enhance efficiency and reduce long-term costs.
As a leading provider of industrial coding and marking solutions in the UK, REA-JET is here to support manufacturers through this transition. In this post, we’ll break down EPR in simple terms, highlight key considerations, provide a link to in-depth resources, and explain how our traceability systems can ensure your operations remain compliant and competitive.
What is EPR? A Simple Breakdown
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) shifts the financial and operational burden of managing packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to the producers themselves. Under the scheme, producers must cover the “full net costs” of collecting, sorting, treating, and recycling or disposing of their packaging waste. This includes household packaging (like food wrappers and bottles) and “on-the-go” items discarded in public bins.
The core goal? To incentivise better packaging design. Fees are modulated based on recyclability—easier-to-recycle materials incur lower costs, while harder ones (like certain plastics or composites) face higher fees. This encourages innovation, such as switching to reusable or mono-material packaging, ultimately reducing environmental impact and supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
In essence:
- Producers Pay for Waste Management: No more partial contributions; full costs are now on you.
- Data-Driven Compliance: Accurate reporting of packaging data is mandatory to calculate fees.
- Sustainability Focus: Rewards recyclable, reusable designs to cut waste and promote circularity.
Key Considerations for Manufacturers
Navigating EPR can seem daunting, but focusing on these essentials will help UK manufacturers prepare effectively:
- Determine if You’re Obligated: If your organisation has an annual UK turnover exceeding £1 million and places more than 25 tonnes of packaging on the market each year, you’re likely affected. This includes brand owners, importers, packers/fillers, and sellers under your own brand. Even if you’re not the original manufacturer, supply chain roles like print management or merchandising could bring you into scope.
- Collect and Report Packaging Data: Start gathering detailed data on packaging types, weights, and materials used. Reporting is required twice a year, with the first full payments expected in late 2025 based on 2024 data. Use tools like the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) to rate your packaging and anticipate modulated fees, which escalate for non-recyclable items (e.g., 1.2x to 2.0x multipliers from 2026).
- Review Packaging Design and Supply Chain: EPR penalises unnecessary or hard-to-recycle packaging, so audit your materials now. Consider switching to recyclable alternatives, reducing packaging volume, or incorporating reusable elements. Revisit supplier contracts to clarify responsibilities and prepare for fee changes that could impact costs.
- Budget for Costs and Timeline: Expect significant financial implications—industry estimates suggest billions in annual fees across the sector. Base fees for 2025 have been set lower than initially proposed, but modulation kicks in fully by 2026/27. Non-compliance risks fines, so register with a compliance scheme or handle obligations directly via the Environment Agency.
- Enhance Traceability for Compliance: Accurate marking and labelling are crucial for tracking packaging through the supply chain, ensuring data accuracy, and facilitating recycling. Poor traceability can lead to errors in reporting or higher fees due to unverified recyclability.
By addressing these early, manufacturers can turn EPR into a competitive advantage, potentially lowering fees through sustainable innovations.
Deeper Resource on EPR Legislation
For a comprehensive dive into the rules, obligations, and implementation details, refer to the official UK Government guidance: Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: Who is Affected and What to Do. This resource from GOV.UK covers everything from registration steps to fee calculations and is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments.
How REA-JET Supplies EPR-Compliant Traceability Marking
At REA-JET UK, our industrial coding and marking technologies provide reliable, direct-to-product solutions that support EPR compliance by enabling clear, permanent identification of packaging materials, recycling instructions, and traceability data—helping you demonstrate recyclability and qualify for lower modulated fees.
Under our inkjet systems, we offer a range of high-performance inks, including those that are lab-certified to not migrate (ideal for food contact and sensitive applications) and PFAS-free—ensuring environmental and regulatory safety while maintaining excellent adhesion and durability.
We can often reduce costs while fully meeting EPR legislation. A great example is our recent project with ACO, a UK manufacturer of concrete drainage channels. They previously applied labels to finished channels, but adhesion issues arose due to release agent residue from the moulds, and the labels weren’t suitable for EPR requirements. We implemented a direct inkjet marking solution instead.
This switch delivered multiple wins:
- Reduced consumable spend by eliminating labels.
- Increased uptime with fewer adhesion failures and maintenance needs.
- Improved supply chain traceability through always-readable barcodes and QR codes on every part.
- Full EPR compliance via durable, verifiable markings that support recyclability data and end-of-life management.
All this while enhancing overall efficiency—proving that sustainable compliance can be cost-effective.
Our full portfolio includes:
- Inkjet Marking Systems: High-resolution direct printing on diverse surfaces (cardboard, plastics, films) with certified low-migration and PFAS-free inks for safe, compliant codes.
- Laser Marking Systems: Consumable-free, permanent marking for reusable packaging or embedded sustainability info.
- Labelling Systems: Inline print-and-apply for compliant labels with QR codes or recycling symbols.
- Code Verifier Systems: ISO/GS1-certified verification to guarantee code readability.
- Software Tools: Seamless integration for real-time data management and EPR reporting.
Tailored for UK industries like building materials, wood, food, and pharmaceuticals, REA-JET solutions help you stay compliant, optimise for lower running costs, and future-proof operations.
Final Thoughts
EPR legislation represents a pivotal step towards a greener UK manufacturing sector, but with the right preparation, it can drive innovation and efficiency. By understanding the basics, addressing key considerations, and leveraging robust traceability tools, your business can comply confidently and cost-effectively.
Interested in how REA-JET can deliver EPR-compliant marking—and potentially cut costs—for your production line?
Explore our offerings at www.rea-jet.co.uk or contact our UK team for a no-obligation consultation.
Together, we can make sustainability pay off.
Call: +44 1235 835 446
