How could EPR regulations affect skincare packaging?

The Current Packaging Waste Regulations are being replaced by the Extended Producer Responsibility which is bound to bring some changes to the cosmetics and skincare markets. So make sure you're aware of them...

The UK government committed to protecting the environment and have pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. EPR is succeeding the Producer Responsibility Packaging Regulation to place a greater responsibility on businesses for the full net cost of packaging at end of life.

How long has the EPR concept been around for?

The concept was first formally introduced in Sweden in a 1990 report stating that EPR is an environmental protection strategy to reach an environmental objective of a decreased total environmental impact of a product by making the manufacturer of the product responsible for the entire life cycle of the product and especially for the takeback, recycling and final disposal.

What are the key points?

The extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations replaces the 2007 Packaging Waste Regulations. It will apply to all obligated UK organisations that manufacture, import or supply packaging. Packaging is defined as any material that is used to contain, protect, handle or deliver goods. It also includes materials used to present goods, i.e. designed to be filled at the point of sale, such as a coffee cup.
If the following criteria apply, then data must be collected and reported:
• You are an individual business, subsidiary, or group (does not apply to charities)
• Based on the most recent accounts the company annual turnover is £1m+
• Responsible for importing or supplying more than 25T packaging to the UK market in the previous calendar year

What are the main aims & objectives?

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a waste and pollution management scheme that encourages companies to design more sustainable and recyclable products. The aim is to hold producers responsible for their products in the final stage of its lifecycle after consumption and give a greater motivation to design products that minimise environmental and health impacts.

Aims and objectives:
• Producers pay the full net costs of managing and recycling the packaging waste they produce which will go to local authorities for waste disposal/waste collection.
• Helping to reduce excessive packaging
• Increases packaging recyclability and reusability
• Increased quality of material for recycling
• Reduce packaging that is littered and/or ends up in street bins

Ultimately the extended producer responsibility legislation aims to create a more circular economy and increase recycling.

As it is a new regulation and guidance is being added regularly we would encourage you to check UK Government website often: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-who-is-affected-and-what-to-do

What might you have to do differently?

Each organisation falls into one of two categories as follows:
• Small organisations (£1-2 million turnover with more than 25 tonnes packaging, or less than £1 million turnover with 25-50 tonnes packaging) are only required to record and report their packaging data.
• Large organisations (more than £2 million turnover and more than 50 tonnes packaging) have more extensive obligations. This includes data reporting every six months, scheme administrator costs, paying waste management fees, and environmental regulator charges. To meet recycling obligations, large organisations must also obtain Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) or Packaging Waste Export Recycling Notes (PERNs).