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Information only, not legal or professional advice. Provided without responsibility, and no liability is accepted for reliance on it. Verify against the linked sources.

Packaging Rules CheckEU packaging rules for small sellers

Country directory

Packaging EPR in United Kingdom

Reviewed 2026-08-16

Register with
The Report packaging data service on GOV.UK. PackUK, hosted by Defra, runs the scheme. Open register
Organisations
Representative
Not required.
Threshold
Under £1m turnover, or under 25 tonnes of packaging a year, and you are out of scope. Above that there are two bands, small and large.

Indicative range, not a quote

Small producers have not been charged waste management fees so far. Large producers pay per material and weight, adjusted by how recyclable the packaging is.

Indicative only. PackUK publishes the fees and they change each year. Check the current figures before budgeting.

Things to watch out for

  • Covers the whole UK, including Northern Ireland. The EU rules do not replace it for your UK sales.
  • Small producer: £1m to £2m turnover with more than 25 tonnes, or over £1m with 25 to 50 tonnes.
  • Large producer: £2m or more turnover, with more than 50 tonnes.
  • Small producers report once a year. Large producers report twice a year and pay fees.
  • From the 2026 to 2027 year, fees for large producers go up or down depending on how recyclable the packaging is.
  • Registering here does nothing for the EU. Those are separate registrations, one per country.
  • There is no representative to appoint. The obligation sits with the UK business that meets the thresholds.

Sources

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