BHETA Conducts Webinar On Changes To EPR Legislation And How It Will Affect Your Business 

Ahead of the changing regulations to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), BHETA hosted two webinars on packaging sustainability in September, to keep members informed of the likely impact of the new legislation. 

EPR is set to be launched in the UK in 2024 and will have a significant impact on all supplier companies, as it is currently forecast to increase packaging PRN costs by between eight to ten times.  

Under current proposals, the burden of paying for recycling for branded products will move from general taxation, retailers and suppliers predominantly to suppliers. Add these costs to the rising prices of materials, longer lead times (which in turn mean fewer projects and less consistent work) and a skills shortage looming over the industry like a black cloud, and you’ve got a country of suppliers scratching their heads looking for solutions that just don’t come. 

Paul Van Danzig, Policy Director at Wastepack, sought to outline all the supplier implications of EPR on 13th September, and on 15th September, Paul Field, Toolstation Quality Assurance Manager, talked about the impact for suppliers and retailers thus far and the looming EPR regulations proposed by Defra for implementation in just over a year.  

For companies who were still unsure if they need to comply with the forthcoming regulations, these webinars provided the ideal opportunity to find out how and to what extent they would be affected, as well as what measured the companies need to take to counter the effects.  

BHETA’s marketing manager, Steve Richardson, comments:  

“Sustainability is a critical topic from every point of view and packaging solutions are a big part of the solution, and of the debate. In other words, it is vital for all suppliers to get packaging right for the future and this series of events, of which there will be four more, is an excellent way for BHETA members to ensure they are up to speed, and ideally ahead of the game.” 

For more information on how BHETA can support you and your business moving forward, or to find out if your job is affected by the coming changes, visit BHETA’s website. 

What are your thoughts on the upcoming changes to EPR regulations? Will your business be affected? Get in touch and let us know in the comments below.