Under the UK's packaging extended producer responsibility scheme, large producers (over £2 million turnover and 50 tonnes of packaging a year) pay fees for household packaging. Year 1 used flat base fees; from year 2 (2026-27) fees are modulated by a red, amber, green recyclability rating. PackUK expects to recover about £1.56 billion in 2026-27.
Key dates
- Done1 Jul 2026
First liability notices for 2026-27 scheduled (month only) Packaging Gateway
Every date of this rule, with what it means for a parcel and what to prepare. If a date moves, your calendar moves with it.
Free, no sign-up, nothing tracked. One link can be shared with your compliance, operations and commercial teams so everyone works from the same dates. Information, not legal advice.
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Who it hits
What to prepare
- Clarify with clients who is the obligated producer for packaging you add at fulfilment.
- Shift mailer and filler choices towards designs rated green under the recyclability assessment.
Our reading
Sources
- Packaging extended producer responsibility · House of Commons Library · 2026-07-29
- PackUK details next phase of UK packaging EPR rollout · Packaging Gateway · 2026-03-05
- Year 2 illustrative waste disposal fees: extended producer responsibility for packaging · Defra (GOV.UK) · 2025-12-19
Related rules
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Autumn Budget, confirmed for 28 October: next opportunity to change the timetable or set the fee (no public signal found that it will)
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Duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, employer liability for third-party harassment, statutory trade union workplace access, changes to recognition rules and extended protection for industrial action
United Kingdom · In force - 1 Dec 2026UK universal postal service: Royal Mail under Ofcom investigation
New delivery model expected to be fully implemented by Christmas 2026 (month only)
United Kingdom · In force - ·UK product safety reform: new duties for online marketplaces
Stricter pre-listing and seller checks mean more delistings and recalls on UK marketplaces, and more parcels stopped, returned or destroyed.
United Kingdom · Consultation - 28 Oct 2026UK fuel duty: 5p cut ends in two steps from January 2027
Autumn Budget, confirmed for 28 October by the Chancellor on 31 July: 2027 rates to be confirmed
United Kingdom (HM Treasury / HMRC) · Adopted - 27 Nov 2026UK: Ofcom proposes to extend the Second Class stamp cap to March 2028
Consultation on the interim review closes at 5pm
United Kingdom (Ofcom) · Consultation
Information, not legal advice. Dates come from official texts or quality legal and trade press, and slip often: always check the current text before acting. Back to the full radar.