A packaging compliance scheme helps producers meet their legal obligations when placing packaging materials onto the UK market. From reporting packaging data to meeting recycling obligations, packaging compliance schemes can provide businesses with the support needed to understand and manage changing UK packaging regulations.

Kite Environmental Solutions (KES) operates a specialist packaging compliance scheme supporting businesses with data assessments, submissions, audits and Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs). As the only compliance scheme in the UK that is part of a packaging company, we combine practical packaging expertise with regulatory knowledge.

At Kite Packaging, our packaging compliance scheme has been rated ‘Excellent’ by the Environment Agency, reflecting the quality of our compliance support and structured reporting processes.

What Packaging Compliance Involves

Packaging compliance requires producers to understand and meet the obligations that apply to the packaging they handle and place on the UK market. These requirements vary depending on factors such as annual turnover, tonnes of packaging handled and the activities a business carries out.

Packaging compliance can involve:

• Collecting and reporting accurate packaging data
• Identifying household packaging and non household packaging
• Registering and meeting relevant reporting deadlines
• Meeting recycling obligations
• Obtaining Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) or Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) where required
• Paying applicable fees and waste disposal costs
• Maintaining records to demonstrate compliance to the Environment Agency

Working with a packaging compliance scheme can make these requirements easier to manage. Packaging compliance schemes can support businesses with data collection, reporting and recycling obligations while helping producers understand changes to packaging regulations.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has changed producer responsibility for packaging in the UK. It places greater responsibility on producers for the packaging they supply or import, including the costs associated with managing household packaging waste.

Under packaging EPR, obligations depend on factors including annual turnover and the amount of packaging a business handles. Producers may need to collect and report data covering:

• The amount and type of packaging supplied
• Packaging materials used
• Household and non household packaging
• Shipment packaging
• Packaging recyclability

Large producers have more extensive packaging EPR compliance requirements, including reporting packaging data every six months and paying applicable waste disposal fees. Producers must also understand any recycling obligations that apply to their business.

A packaging compliance scheme can support producers with registration, reporting and other compliance obligations. This can make it easier to manage Extended Producer Responsibility requirements and remain compliant as regulations change.

Packaging Waste Regulations and Producer Responsibility Obligations

Packaging waste regulations place legal obligations on businesses that handle and place packaging on the UK market. Producer responsibility for packaging means obligated businesses must understand how much packaging they handle and meet applicable registration, reporting and recycling obligations.

Depending on the obligations that apply, producers may need to:

• Calculate the tonnes of packaging handled during the previous calendar year
• Register with the appropriate environmental regulator or through a compliance scheme
• Report relevant packaging data
• Meet recycling obligations for different packaging materials
• Obtain evidence that the required amount of packaging waste has been recycled or recovered

Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) and Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) provide evidence that recycling obligations have been met. Packaging compliance schemes can obtain this evidence on behalf of their members, helping businesses manage their obligations and remain compliant.

Keeping accurate records is also essential. Failure to comply with packaging waste regulations can lead to enforcement action and potential reputational damage.

Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM)

The Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) forms part of packaging EPR and assesses how recyclable household packaging is. Producers within scope must assess relevant packaging and report the resulting recyclability information as part of their packaging data.

RAM considers factors such as the packaging materials used, whether components can be separated and how packaging is collected and processed for recycling.

These assessments support the use of modulated fees under Extended Producer Responsibility, creating a financial incentive to improve packaging recyclability. A packaging compliance scheme can provide professional advice and support businesses in understanding how RAM fits into their wider packaging compliance obligations.

Plastic Packaging Tax and Packaging Materials

Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is a separate requirement from packaging EPR and applies to certain plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK. Businesses that manufacture or import 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging within a 12-month period must register for PPT, even if the packaging contains 30% or more recycled plastic.

Packaging compliance involves keeping accurate records of the packaging materials used, including recycled content, and submitting quarterly returns to HMRC where required.

For businesses managing several environmental obligations, a packaging compliance scheme can offer support and professional advice to help them understand how different regulations affect their packaging.

Kite’s Packaging Compliance Scheme

Kite Environmental Solutions (KES) operates a specialist packaging compliance scheme to help producers meet their legal obligations under UK packaging regulations. As the only compliance scheme in the UK that is part of a packaging company, we combine regulatory expertise with practical knowledge of packaging materials, supply chains and recycling.

Our compliance scheme has been rated ‘Excellent’ by the Environment Agency, reflecting the quality of our processes and support.

Through Kite’s packaging compliance scheme, we offer:

• Bespoke data assessments based on your business and packaging handled
• A dedicated account manager to offer support throughout the compliance process
• On-site auditing and consultancy services
• Support with registration and packaging EPR reporting
• Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) and Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) to meet applicable recycling obligations
• Competitive PRN fees, supported by our team analysing the PRN market
• Guidance on producer responsibility for packaging and wider compliance obligations
• Support with previous year non compliance through Enforcement Undertakings
• Attendance at Environment Agency audits free of charge

Packaging compliance schemes can remove much of the administrative burden associated with meeting producer obligations. Our scheme administrator and wider compliance team work with customers to manage reporting requirements, recycling evidence and regulatory changes.

Whether you’re a small or large producer, contact our team today. Our packaging compliance scheme provides ongoing support to help your business remain compliant while allowing you to focus on your day-to-day operations.

Data Collection, Reporting and Ongoing Support

Accurate data collection is central to packaging compliance. Producers need to understand the packaging they handle and maintain relevant data on packaging types, materials, weight and whether it is household or non household packaging.

Reporting requirements depend on producer classification and the obligations that apply. A large producer must report packaging data every six months, while small producers have different reporting requirements. Businesses may also need to provide data relating to recyclability and consumer information obligations.

Our packaging compliance scheme can support businesses with data collection, reporting and ongoing environmental compliance. We help customers understand what data they need, identify potential gaps and meet applicable reporting deadlines.

Why Use a Packaging Compliance Scheme?

Packaging regulations can be difficult to manage alongside the everyday demands of running a business. Packaging compliance schemes provide specialist support to help producers understand their legal and environmental obligations.

Working with an experienced compliance scheme can help your business:

• Understand which packaging obligations apply
• Manage packaging data and reporting requirements
• Meet recycling obligations through PRNs and PERNs
• Keep up with regulatory changes
• Access professional advice when compliance requirements change
• Prepare for potential Environment Agency audits

Kite’s packaging compliance scheme combines regulatory knowledge with practical packaging expertise, helping producers manage compliance efficiently while continuing to serve their customers.

Packaging Compliance FAQs

Packaging compliance requirements can vary depending on your business, packaging handled and activities. Below, we answer common questions about packaging compliance schemes, EPR and producer obligations in the UK.

What is a packaging compliance scheme?

A packaging compliance scheme is an organisation that helps obligated producers meet certain packaging compliance obligations on their behalf. Depending on the service provided, this can include registration, reporting packaging data and obtaining Packaging Recovery Notes or Packaging Export Recovery Notes to meet recycling obligations.

Packaging compliance schemes also provide ongoing guidance, helping businesses understand changes to packaging legislation and remain compliant.

Who needs to register for packaging EPR?

Whether a business needs to register depends on factors including annual turnover, the tonnes of packaging handled and the activities it carries out. Businesses should check the current Extended Producer Responsibility requirements to establish their classification and which obligations apply.

What obligations apply to a large producer?

Under packaging EPR, a large producer generally has an annual turnover of £2 million or more and handles more than 50 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year.

Large producers have additional obligations, including reporting packaging data every six months. Depending on their activities, they may also need to pay waste disposal costs and meet recycling obligations.

What is the difference between household packaging and non household packaging?

Household packaging is packaging that is likely to be disposed of in a household or public bin. Non household packaging is packaging that is not reasonably likely to become household waste.

Correct classification is important because it can affect a producer’s packaging EPR obligations, data reporting and costs.

Can a compliance scheme manage PRNs and PERNs?

Yes. A registered compliance scheme can obtain Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) and Packaging Export Recovery Notes (PERNs) to provide evidence that applicable recycling obligations have been met.

This is one of the key reasons producers choose packaging compliance schemes, as it can simplify the process of managing recycling evidence and associated compliance requirements.

What happens in cases of packaging non compliance?

Non compliance with packaging waste regulations can result in enforcement action. The consequences depend on the circumstances and nature of the breach.

Working with a packaging compliance scheme can help businesses understand their obligations, maintain accurate records and address compliance issues. Kite can also offer support with previous year non compliance through Enforcement Undertakings where appropriate.

How does packaging compliance work in Northern Ireland?

Packaging EPR applies across the UK, including Northern Ireland, although businesses need to consider which environmental regulator they are required to register with.

Businesses operating in Northern Ireland should ensure they understand the regulations and reporting requirements that apply to their activities. A packaging compliance scheme can provide further information and support with meeting relevant producer obligations.

What are consumer information obligations?

Consumer information obligations require certain producers to provide information about the disposal of packaging and encourage consumers to recycle packaging waste appropriately.

These requirements form part of the wider move towards greater producer responsibility for packaging and aim to improve recycling behaviour while reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste.