In the United Kingdom, The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 came into force on January 1, 2025. The scope of the legislation covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Producer responsibility for packaging has existed in the United Kingdom since 2007; however, the new law significantly expands the obligations for producers to hold them even more accountable. Recycling and environmentally sustainable packaging are to be promoted more strongly.

In the near future, producers will be responsible for the costs of their packaging throughout its entire life cycle (application of the “polluter pays principle”). The relevant fees will have to be paid to the newly established scheme administrator if a corresponding quantity and turnover threshold is reached. The obligation to regularly report packaging quantities has already been introduced by implementing laws. Large manufacturers must also register.

Obligated packaging producers will have to assess the recyclability of their packaging. Furthermore, laws on ecologically modulated fees and the labelling of packaging are in the planning stage.