Defra hosted their monthly Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Forum on 14 July. The main points are summarised below.
Environment Agency
Digital Waste Tracking
- New digital waste tracking system is currently in public beta phase.
- Waste tracking legislation is in parliament and expected to come into force 1 October 2026.
- Permitted waste sites in England and Wales will be required to submit received waste data from this date. There are specific requirements on the information required.
- A waste tracking ID will be returned.
- There is a temporary alternative submission method for waste receivers to use whilst they are managing their software and digital transition.
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR)
- PPWR applies in the EU from August 2026, with phased implementation of regulations.
- Most regulations will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Exceptions include pEPR, DRS, and reuse.
- Government will launch a consultation on GB alignment with PPWR next year.
- Waste-sorting labelling
- Expected to apply in EU and NI from 12 August 2028.
- Must have pictogram-based label. QR codes optional. Waste-sorting information should be in one or more languages. Labelling information must be available to users prior to purchase, including for online sales.
- Exemptions: transport packaging and DRS packaging.
- There is a technical proposal for mandated pictograms.
Closed Loop Reporting: Digital Capability
- A digital system for large producers to report Closed Loop Packaging Waste data.
- Register and pay closed loop registration fee by 1 October to submit closed loop data for year 2027.
PackUK Update
RAM 2027
- RAM 2027 was published 1 July 2026.
- RAM will be updated yearly, with two reporting windows: 1 October and 1 April of that year. Updates will be informed by stakeholder engagement.
- Make sure to use the right RAM iteration for your reporting cycle.
Year 2 Fees and Notices of Liability (NoL)
- Submit 2025 packaging data (or correct data and resubmit) by 1 September 2026. Late submissions will not affects NoLs but should still be submitted.
- Fee publication and NoL release late 2026. First payment due January 2027.
- In the future data submission deadlines may be brought forward to reduce mid-year fee recalculations.
Local Authority Payments (LAPs)
- LAPs is a digital service for Local Authorities to manage pEPR grant payment information.
- Preparing for national public beta rollout across of Local Authorities in Autumn 2026.
Look Ahead
Producers & Schemes
- Additional nation data guidance to be published shortly.
- There was an update on aggregated packaging data on 15 July.
Reprocessors & exporters
- Register as an operator by 30 September 2026.
- Register to become accredited PRN/PERN issuer by 30 September 2026.
Future Forums
- There will not be a Forum in August.
- Forums to resume normally on 1 September.
- EA webinar for reprocessors and exporters of UK packaging waste 4 August 14:00-15:00
