The hidden costs of pEPR, and why you should stay the course
In this expert thought piece, Michael Jennings, our Policy & Public Affairs Advisor, discusses the hidden costs of packaging EPR and why preparation is key.
It’s January 2026. Producers have submitted 2 ½ years of packaging data, and the first Notices of Liability (NoL) were sent out to relevant producers last October. We also received the first look at ‘Year 2’ fees, including modulation, just before Christmas. It’s clear that the cost of packaging is on everyone’s mind…
But what isn’t being talked about?
This change in regulation is a good thing and has very lofty goals. I think we forget sometimes that this is a huge regulatory upheaval, and we are only 2(ish) years deep! It’s going to be a while before the dust settles, before we see the promised outcomes, and as changes do appear, costs will start to go down as local authorities will be collecting less packaging that is more recyclable with less contamination. Hopefully we will all benefit.
But, for those of us that are obligated under the ‘new’ pEPR regulations, this has been a tricky couple of years where we’ve had to keep abreast of regulatory changes, change and update systems, gather new more granular data, speak to supply chains, etc. All this comes with ‘hidden’ costs, either from people being taken away from their usual job to work on submissions and data gathering, or new people being employed to pick up these tasks. For small and medium-sized businesses, the extra costs involved in complying with pEPR are substantial and come at a time of financial pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis and increased National Insurance costs, amongst other things. There is also the cost of adapting to the new regulations from a packaging perspective:
- Does the packaging need altering to become more recyclable?
- Do we need to do R&D and testing?
- Do we need to complete life cycle assessments (LCAs)?
What options do we have, then?
Down the road, when pEPR becomes embedded into everyone’s routines and systems, it will be more manageable, but amendments to the regulations, and tightening of the RAM over the coming years means there is still a bumpy road to navigate. Those who take a proactive approach will be more prepared for the regulatory changes; they will have better quality data and therefore more accurate costs.
Beyondly can help you manage this complexity and help you save on costs. We have proven expertise and a dedicated team with decades of experience in regulation and reporting. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: those who are better prepared will benefit the most and will lead the regulatory change. Beyondly is here to help you be at the front, letting you focus on what you do best.
