PackUK’s New RAM Roadmap Charts the Future of Recyclability

PackUK has released the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) Roadmap, which sets out how RAM will evolve from 2025 to 2030, in parallel with packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) obligations. It includes scheduled reviews, technical updates, and alignment with wider UK and international recycling regulations.

Defra’s publication of this roadmap underlines its commitment to RAM reporting under pEPR and the modulated fees associated with it. Whilst producers were given the opportunity to defer their reporting under RPS from H1 October 2025 to March 2026, the message in the roadmap is that RAM is here to stay. Producers need to gain RAG ratings for their materials or face penalties.

• Annual Policy Alignment Reviews with the UK Four Nations’ waste and resource strategies, plus consideration of changes at international level.
• Regular Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings (quarterly) to review and approve updates.
• Rolling updates to RAM guidance on different packaging materials, contamination issues, inks, labelling, bioplastics, and other factors affecting recyclability.
• Integration with pEPR milestones, including data submission deadlines, producer invoices, and potential interaction with Deposit Return Schemes (DRS).

2025

• September–December: TAC meetings, producer data obligation deadlines and producer invoices issued.
• Q4: Review of take-back scheme guidance and evidence for changing RAM rating guidance.

2026

• Drafting of RAM 2027 begins.
• Assessment of clarity in definitions; possible reintroduction of RAM v1.0 removals; flexible plastics (ahead of Simpler Recycling rollout) and fibre-based composites guidance; and alignment with SoW (Separation of Waste) Regs/international protocols (e.g. RECOUP, 4Evergreen standards and methodologies).
• The appointment of the PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation).

2027

• Drafting of RAM 2028 begins.
• Reviews of the guidance on: rigid plastics, take-back schemes (again) and food/cosmetics contamination.
• Reviews on: printing inks specs and security tags consideration.
• Four Nations to roll out collection of plastic film.
• pEPR policy review for 2027/28.

2028

• Drafting of RAM 2029 begins.
• Reviews on: collection/reprocessing guidelines and “other” materials, glass, paper and board guidance.
• From Jan 2028: producers of PET, aluminium, and steel drinks containers fall under pEPR obligations if no DRS is operational for these materials.

2029

• Drafting of RAM 2030 begins.
• Assessment on: aluminium, steel, and wood guidance and the potential inclusion of bioplastics and compostables.

2030

• Publication of RAM 2030.

1. Policy alignment – Ensure RAM matches UK Four nations’ waste and resources strategies and consideration of changes at international level.
2. Language clarity – Refine definitions (e.g. “significant disruption”, light vs dark plastics).
3. RAM v1.0 removals – Consider reintroducing earlier withdrawn elements (e.g. food contamination) back into future iterations of RAM.
4. Alignment with Separation of Waste Regs – e.g. 40x40mm thresholds for glass and flexible plastics.
5. Printing inks/security tags – Assess impacts on recyclability.
6. Bioplastics & compostables – Review how these current ‘other’ materials may be accounted for in future RAM versions.

Click here to find out more about the RAM roadmap.

Here at Clarity, we know that keeping up to date with the ever-changing RAM and pEPR regulations can be challenging and time-consuming. RAM reporting can be resource heavy and might even appear impossible for some businesses, but there are ways to ease this reporting burden. Let our expert team help you navigate these new obligations with our innovative RAM Assess Tool by expressing your interest with our form below.