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We briefed Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith on industry concerns with Government proposals ahead of a Westminster Hall debate she brought to the chamber on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) this week. 

Dame Nia raised numerous concerns with the Government's approach to EPR during the debate, with her focus primarily on the impact on costs and recycling rates within closed-loop recycling systems operated by some businesses (whereby the business organises its own collection and recycling of packaging and waste for reuse in new items, without waste entering the general UK stream). 

However, she also highlighted a number of concerns that retailers have with the Government's direction of travel on EPR.

Dame Nia asked the Minister with responsibility for delivering EPR, Rebecca Pow, whether the Government had considered the merits of best-in-class EPR systems in other jurisdictions, the need for greater industry representation in running the scheme and whether EPR revenues will be hypothecated toward investment in recycling infrastructure needed to increase recycling rates - all key issues we and members have been raising with the Government for some months. 

How much analysis has the Department done of schemes in operation in other countries? Belgium, Germany and the Canadian province of Ontario are often cited as interesting examples. Does the Minister plan to look further at schemes elsewhere? A number of countries have much greater industry involvement in the running of their schemes, whereas in the proposed UK scheme almost all the necessary tasks to run the scheme will be carried out by the Government. Will the Minister consider greater private sector and industry-body involvement in the schemes? Will she explain how EPR funds will be ringfenced to ensure they are used to improve our recycling infrastructure? Will she take into account the impact of all packaging reforms on producers, and weigh up whether they will have the desired impact without creating an undue burden on them?

Dame Nia also questioned whether the Minister will pause the introduction of EPR in order to work with industry to develop an effective, fit-for-purpose scheme. Whilst Minister Pow's response did not suggest that she has any intention to change the current legislative timetable which would see businesses paying fees under EPR from April 2024, we will continue to push the Government to take the time necessary to get EPR right - for businesses, consumers and the environment.

You can find the Hansard entry for the debate here.