We know EPR can be overwhelming for many obligated organisations due to the sheer complexity, this is especially true when it will have a significant financial impact.
In my previous blog, ‘What is EPR?‘ I explored what, who, when and how much EPR will affect organisations and the main message is still…There is no need to panic but please do not wait for tax increases to fall at your door, be proactive and act now!
How to manage EPR?
As with all complex challenges the key is to break them down into bite-size chunks. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. We have put together a guide to help you break down the key stages that work for all EPR schemes. However, please remember if you sell, import or export product and packaging to any country you must ensure you are aware of all individual country and/or state obligations – fees, data submissions and exceptions.
What are the challenges of EPR?
Apart from the obvious, cost and complexity, the other significant challenge is frequency of change. Over the last 20 years packaging regulations have principally been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, with the exception of EPR.
EPR is revolutionary and once implemented evolves continually making EPR a constant challenge, especially for international and global brands and retailers. One of the most important steps in your EPR process has to be research and this needs to be cyclical, to ensure you always have the most up-to-date information on all your markets of sale. Unfortunately, there is no end to this process, and this is especially true when submissions are monthly or quarterly, do not underestimate the resources needed to keep on top of this.
Data is the key to EPR.
With conflicting market schemes and evolving reporting requirements the only way you will be able to manage this whole process it through live and accurate, granular packaging data. As we learn more about future UK EPR it is telling when DEFRA make announcements, such as:
Extended Producer Responsibility legislation is requiring more and better data than the packaging sector has ever had to supply.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Who is really ready for this next step? Manufacturers may feel better equipped than most however the level of granular detail is beyond many current requirements. Retailers and brand owners, although may not be obligated to pay fees WILL be obligated to submit packaging data and right now most do not have the tools or the specifications at their fingertips to meet this requirement.
Download your free EPR guide below.
We hope that this will help you, and your team, break down the process of managing the complexities of EPR and ensure you mitigate your risks and meet your obligations globally.
