The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a new consultation seeking responses on the draft regulations for extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Following an announcement that was swiftly deleted earlier this week, the UK government confirmed the EPR scheme for packaging has been deferred for a year until October 2025.
Today (28 July), Defra launched a new consultation seeking views on how the approach set out in the government response to the EPR consultation held in March 2022 has been reflected in the draft regulations and how easy they will be to implement.
As part of the consultation, Defra says it’s looking for feedback on how clear the draft regulations are about the relevant responsibilities of producers, exporters, reprocessors, compliance schemes, local authorities and the scheme administrator. The consultation closes on 9 October 2023.
We believe this delay will have a significant impact, resulting in the public continuing to bear the cost of packaging recycling and disposal.
The consultation is being jointly undertaken by the UK government, the Scottish government, the Welsh government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the delay, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, said: “We’re determined to transform the way we collect, recycle and reuse our waste materials so we eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050 in a way that works for households and consumers. That’s better for our environment.
“We are also listening to industry and ensuring our work to tackle inflation and to drive up recycling go hand in hand, to make sure our reforms will be a success.”
Reacting to the announcement of a delay, Lee Marshall, Policy and External Affairs Director, CIWM, said CIWM is disappointed that EPR for packaging fees have been deferred for a year after raising concerns directly with the Prime Minister last month.
“While this is not altogether surprising, we believe this delay will have a significant impact, resulting in the public continuing to bear the cost of packaging recycling and disposal, less investment in recycling infrastructure due to a loss of confidence in the legislative framework, and a significant slowing of the UK’s green economy.”