If you’re a brand in the UK and you use packaging, the new UK extended producer responsibility (UK EPR) regulations affect you.
The system can feel confusing at first. But compliance is possible even without specialist software. Below is a practical overview of the UK EPR deadlines 2026, registration process, reporting requirements and recycling obligations.
If you need support navigating UK EPR packaging compliance, contact our team for guidance.
What are the steps I should take?
- Determine if your company is required to participate
- Registration: Create an account and register. Submit your organisation details.
- Reporting: Submit your packaging data
- Pay your registration fees, and and review your Recycling Obligations: purchase “Packaging Recycling Notes” if Large Producer
Step 1: Am I required to participate in this EPR system?
You must comply with UK EPR packaging rules if both apply:
- Your business makes £1 million or more
- You imported or supplied more than 25 tonnes of packaging to the UK market in the previous year. (Source: Gov.UK)
Next, are you a small producer or large producer? (Source: Gov.UK Small Producers)
You’re a small producer if…
- If you supply more than 25 tonnes of packaging to the UK market, and revenue was between £1 million and £2 million last year
- If you supply between 25 and 50 tonnes of packaging to the UK market, and revenue was more than £1 million last year
- If you exceed either of these categories, you’re a large producer.
Step 2: Registration
How do I register with the UK EPR system?
Thankfully, the UK EPR system has set up an online reporting system: the Report Packaging Data Service.
Create an account, then follow these instructions to submit your company details: Register with the Environmental Regulator.
UK EPR registration deadlines 2026
- Large producers: 1 October
- Small producers: 1 April
Both small and large producers must pay annual registration fees. (Gov.UK Register with the Environmental Regulator)
What are my options?
- Register yourself, or
- Join a Compliance Scheme, which will register on your behalf (List of Compliance Schemes). Compliance schemes are third parties that help organisations meet the EPR for packaging requirements.
- Both of these options have annual registration fees ranging from about £700 for Small Producers, and £2800 for Large Producers. (Source: Gov.UK Registration Fees)
- Compliance Schemes also have their own fees.
- If you miss a deadline, there is a late fee.
Step 3: Reporting
UK EPR reporting means submitting detailed packaging data to the Report Packaging Data service.
Create your packaging data file:
- Luckily, you don’t need special software.
- The UK system has a .csv file template that you can fill out: Gov.UK How to Create Your File.
- Submit your packaging data file via your account in the Report Packaging Data Service.
- Check out our “EPR Packaging Data Requirements by Country”, for an overview of what to track for the UK EPR system.
UK EPR Reporting Deadlines:
- Small producers report annually: the annual report is due on April 1.
- Large producers report every 6 months: Q1 & Q2 data by October 1 of that year, and Q3 & Q4 on April 1 of the following year.
Missing reporting deadlines can create compliance risks and financial penalties.
Step 4: Registration fees and recycling obligations
Once registered and reported, you must meet your financial obligations under UK extended producer responsibility.
Registration fees
- Small producers: ~£700
- Large producers: ~£2,800
(Source: Gov.UK Registration Fees)
Recycling obligations under UK EPR
Review your recycling obligations: (Source: Gov.UK Recycling Obligations)
- These ‘obligations’ are calculated as a percentage of the packaging waste you’ve reported.
- As a small producer, you do not have to pay waste disposal fees or buy packaging waste recycling notes (‘PRNs’). (Source: Gov.UK Small Producer Requirements).
- Large producers must buy packaging recycling notes (PRNs) and packaging export recycling notes (PERNs) from waste reprocessors and exporters.
- PRNs and PERNs are managed in your Report Packaging Data Service account.
- If you want to buy PRNs or PERNs, you can use this register to check that the seller is accredited for the relevant material.
- You can buy PRNs and PERNs directly from the accredited sellers or on the open market through a broker. (Source: 4Pack)
- The PRNs and PERNs must match your packaging material.
Curious about which companies have already registered and reported their packaging data? Here’s the list! Gov.UK Packaging Public Register
Check out our EPR Packaging Data Requirements by Country, for an overview of what to track for the UK EPR system.
Final thoughts on UK EPR deadlines 2026
UK EPR packaging compliance is no longer optional for qualifying businesses. With clear UK EPR registration deadlines 2026, structured reporting rules and financial obligations tied to packaging waste volumes, preparation is critical.
The good news: the system is structured, digital, and manageable, especially if you understand whether you’re a small or large producer and plan ahead for reporting and PRN requirements.
If you need support reviewing your packaging reporting UK requirements or preparing for compliance, contact our team for practical guidance.
FAQs
What are the UK EPR deadlines for 2026?
Large producers must register and submit Q1–Q2 data by 1 October and Q3–Q4 data by 1 April the following year. Small producers must register and report annually by 1 April.
Who needs to comply with UK extended producer responsibility?
Businesses with turnover above £1 million that place more than 25 tonnes of packaging on the UK market must comply.
What is the difference between small and large producers under UK EPR?
Small producers meet lower turnover and tonnage thresholds and report annually. Large producers exceed those thresholds and must report every six months and purchase PRNs.
Do small producers need to buy PRNs?
No. Small producers are not required to purchase Packaging Recycling Notes under current UK EPR rules.
What happens if I miss a UK EPR deadline?
Late registration or reporting may result in penalties and compliance action from regulators.
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