The deadline to register your business directly with the Environment Agency passed on the 7th April 2019.
If your company is legally obligated to register and you have missed the deadline, it is now in breach of the regulations.
Current legislation requires businesses producing or handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging in the last year and a turnover of more than £2 million, to comply with the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. Introduced in 1997, these regulations require companies to finance the recovery and recycling of packaging materials in proportion to the amount they have placed on the market.
Take immediate action.
If you believe that your business may be obligated under the regulations and you have missed the deadline, contact our specialist team for a confidential discussion about the options available to you. Our approved packaging compliance scheme can ensure that you avoid enforcement action. Get in touch with us on 0845 129 7177 or email info@clarityenv.eu.
The Packaging Regulations were introduced to reduce the impact of the packaging we create on the environment. Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution and heavy penalties.
The Environment Agency has access to all companies registered either directly or with a packaging compliance scheme. They carry out audits of businesses that are not registered to determine whether the company has an obligation, and if so, why they have not registered.
As of 2011, Civil Sanctions have been introduced for non-compliant businesses, which include enforcement undertaking. This process enables non-compliant businesses to offer a sum of money to a suitable environmental project in compensation. If prosecuted for non-compliance businesses could face an unlimited fine or jail time, dependent on the circumstance.
Our Packaging Compliance Scheme Manager, Martin Trigg-Knight warns of the financial impact of non-compliance and the potential damage to a businesses public image:
“Preparing an enforcement undertaking takes a lot of work and a great deal of evidence must be provided to satisfy the regulators that the business has taken the process seriously. In most cases, the civil sanction will have cost considerably more than registering for the correct number of years.
Martin added: “We urge any business that believes it may be obligated under the Packaging Regulations to take immediate action and avoid costly prosecution. Timely action will help avoid prosecution, which can do untold damage to the reputation of a business.”
At Clarity Environmental we have a wealth of experience, having worked with the regulations since the start of our business. Our knowledgeable team can ensure businesses meet their obligations, helping a business to reduce their impact on the environment and ensuring they comply with current regulations. Contact our team on 0845 129 7177 to find out how we can help your business. Find out more about our Beyond Compliance services on our website.