Extended Deadline: EPR Data Submission for Packaging Producers
The Environment Agency published last week a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) which allows large packaging producers more time to submit their 2023 data which will be used to calculate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payments:
Reporting packaging data under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): RPS 288 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What does this mean for producers?
Producers have effectively been given more time to report their 2023 EPR packaging data.
Although the legal reporting deadlines set in the EPR data reporting Regulations haven’t changed, the publication of the RPS means that the Environment Agency will not take enforcement action against large producers if they do not comply with the legal requirements set in the Regulations – (H1 2023 data due by the 1st of October 2023, and H2 2023 data due by the 1st of April 2024).
To remain compliant producers are now required to submit their H1 and H2 2023 data returns by the 31st of May 2024 at the latest.
We strongly encourage our packaging scheme members to submit their January to June 2023 EPR data to us as per the initial deadline we communicated. This is important for several reasons:
- Under EPR, packaging data reporting is more granular and complex. If producers submit an example of their data in October, it will enable our scheme a chance to review it, suggest improvements and improve our own data quality assurance process.
- Defra needs robust data from producers to refine their calculations of the waste management cost, i.e. the estimated £1.4 billion of local authorities’ packaging waste collection and disposal cost transferred to producers under EPR Regulations.
- Under the existing Packaging Regulations producers will need to report their 2023 in April 2024. Waiting until next year to report the two EPR returns for 2023 data means that producers would have to submit three returns in quick succession.
Does the RPS affect producers’ enrolment on RPD?
The RPS does not affect the enrolment process. Obligated packaging producers are still required to enrol for EPR on the new government online portal RPD (Report Packaging Data) which can be accessed here.
When you enrol on the RPD portal you will be asked to confirm which packaging compliance scheme you want to work with – Packcare is the scheme operated by Wastecare compliance. After a successful enrolment, you will receive a confirmation email containing your Organisation ID reference number.
You must provide us with this Organisation ID as we will need it to submit your EPR packaging data to the Environment Agency.
Support with your data reporting
Please do not hesitate to contact our team for more information and support with your EPR data reporting:
0330 331 1801 or Packaging.compliance@wastecare.co.uk
