The UK government has announced a delay in the introduction of Nation of Sale and Self-Managed Waste reporting under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) until 2026. This decision, confirmed through a Regulatory Position Statement (RPS), will ease the immediate reporting burden on businesses while allowing for a more structured transition into the new data collection requirements.
What Does This Mean for Producers?
Originally set to be implemented as part of the EPR framework for reporting in December 2025, Nation of Sale and Self-Managed Waste reporting requires producers to declare where their packaging is placed on the market across the four UK nations and how they manage their own waste. This data is intended to inform individual UK nation recycling targets, ensuring fair distribution of recycling costs and responsibilities.
However, the recent RPS acknowledges that this data would have limited value until other legislative reforms come into effect. As a result, businesses now have additional time to prepare for these changes without immediate operational disruptions.
What is an RPS?
A Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) is issued by regulators when they decide not to enforce certain legal requirements under specific conditions. In this case, the RPS effectively suspends the obligation for producers to report Nation of Sale and Self-Managed Waste data until 2026, reducing administrative complexity while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Industry Response
The delay has been welcomed by industry stakeholders who have been advocating for a more pragmatic approach to EPR implementation.
