Could Your Packaging Business Be Affected by the Latest Recycling Rules?

The Environment Agency has introduced temporary guidance that could affect how large packaging producers meet their recycling obligations in 2026.

Published on 9 October, Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 383 sets out the conditions under which the Environment Agency will normally refrain from enforcement action against eligible large producers and compliance schemes that fall short of certain statutory recycling targets.

However, the guidance comes with specific requirements, and businesses must still meet their wider packaging producer responsibilities.

What does the new guidance mean?

Under RPS 383, eligible producers and compliance schemes must achieve at least the following proportions of their statutory recycling obligations for three packaging materials:

• Plastic: 83%
• Steel: 92%
• Wood: 90%

Full recycling obligations remain in place for all other packaging materials.

The statement does not remove the legal requirement to register as a large producer where applicable, report packaging data or comply with recycling obligations under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

What should producers be aware of?

Businesses relying on this temporary position must keep records demonstrating their compliance with the statement. These records must be retained for five years from the date of the last use of the RPS and made available to the Environment Agency on request.

The regulator will continue monitoring compliance. Producers should also be aware that their Certificate of Compliance may still record non-compliance with statutory recycling obligations, even where they have met the conditions outlined in RPS 383.

How long will the statement apply?

RPS 383 applies exclusively to the 2026 compliance year and is scheduled to be withdrawn on 31 January 2027.

The Environment Agency can amend or withdraw the statement before that date, so businesses should regularly check the latest guidance to confirm whether it remains in force.

Producers unable to meet the conditions must notify the Environment Agency immediately by emailing packagingproducers@environment-agency.gov.uk, with RPS 383 in the subject line.

As packaging regulations continue to evolve, staying up to date with compliance requirements remains essential for businesses navigating the UK’s changing packaging landscape.