Defra has given a six-month stay of execution for businesses faced with a new red tape nightmare over its EPR reforms.
The Grocer revealed in February that food companies claimed they were being “buried in red tape” after Defra released details of its recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) over Christmas.
Under the RAM, from October 2026 large producers will be charged for all household packaging, depending on how easy it is to recycle, to reimburse local authorities for the cost of collection.
However, producers had claimed the information that came out over Christmas was “rushed”, “inaccurate” and would require huge resources to complete, with some supermarkets expected to answer more than three million questions about the recyclability of products under the RAM’s controversial new traffic light system.
But Defra has recently brought out new guidance for companies, including concessions on the RAM.
Whilst producers must still report tonnages for the first half of 2025, including flexible and rigid plastics separately, their recyclability assessment obligations for the period can now be extrapolated from second-half data, Defra has said.
It says this will hopefully ease the burden while maintaining the commitment to introduce modulated EPR fees from the 2026-2027 assessment year.
The rethink of the RAM comes after Defra published the base fees for EPR last month, which saw fees for most materials reduced compare to previous estimates.
However, the EPR rollout continues to be hugely controversial, with fears the £2bn impact on producers will push up inflation.
The FDF, which is leading one of the bids to run the EPR system under a tender process being led by PackUK, said it welcomed the moves by Defra to reduce the bureaucracy facing producers.
“We welcome this move from the regulators to help relieve some of the pressure on businesses, which are working hard to gather all the information they need to report in line with the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM),” said Cat Hay, FDF head of packaging strategy.
“This is a very-resource intensive process and includes a significant amount of data that manufacturers have never had to collect before, so we’re pleased to see this pragmatic approach that will give businesses a grace period, should they need it.
“The more accurate the data that is reported by industry, the more efficient and fairer the EPR system will be. Businesses can now use this extra time to work with their customers and suppliers to fill their data gaps and ensure they’re ready for the formal implementation of the RAM.”
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