Tracker
Packaging Regulation in the United Kingdom
Every packaging rule in the United Kingdom that we have sourced so far: EPR, taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling and deposit return, with dates, rates and the official text.
By Thomas Müller
Latest source consulted 12 October 2026
Status: Live 79 rules sourced from official texts; 0 re-checked by a second analyst so far. How this tracker works
In short
As of 12 October 2026, Strategic Packaging Insights tracks 7 packaging rules in the United Kingdom: 5 in force and 2 adopted but not yet applying. Extended producer responsibility for packaging is in force (PackUK year 2 (2026-27) modulated packaging EPR fees). Next deadline: Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027 on 1 October 2027.
Key facts
Packaging rules in the United Kingdom at a glance
- UK Plastic Packaging Tax: 228.82 GBP/tonne (United Kingdom).
- From 1 October 2027: Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027.
- From 1 October 2027: Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland).
- Latest change: PackUK year 2 (2026-27) modulated packaging EPR fees (PackUK (Defra), 16 December 2025).
- By type: 2 EPR, 2 Deposit return, 2 Ban and 1 Tax or levy.
Upcoming deadlines in the United Kingdom
| Applies from | Rule | Type | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2027 | Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027 | Deposit return | Plastic, Metal |
| 1 Oct 2027 | Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland) | Deposit return | Plastic, Metal |
In force now in the United Kingdom
EPR (2)
PackUK year 2 (2026-27) modulated packaging EPR fees
SPI summary PackUK, the scheme administrator for UK packaging EPR, issued its first notices of liability in October 2025. For the 2026-27 assessment year fees are eco-modulated (green, amber, red by recyclability); illustrative plastic fees are £415, £455 and £545 per tonne. The initial year 2 notice of liability is due by end of November 2026.
455 GBP/tonne Illustrative year 2 plastic fee, amber (base) rate; green £415, red £545. Final year 2 fees to be calculated November 2026. Effective date = start of 2026-27 assessment year.
From the source “| Plastic | 423 | 415 | 455 | 545 |”
Materials: All packaging
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
UK packaging EPR regulations (pEPR) 2024
SPI summary The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 require UK packaging producers to register, report packaging data, and, for large producers (turnover £2m+ and over 50 tonnes), pay disposal fees covering local authority household packaging waste costs. A scheme administrator collects and distributes the fees.
From the source “Made 11th December 2024”
Materials: All packaging
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Tax or levy (1)
UK Plastic Packaging Tax
SPI summary Tax on plastic packaging components manufactured in or imported into the UK that contain less than 30% recycled plastic. The tax began on 1 April 2022 at £200 per tonne and is uprated each April; the rate from 1 April 2026 is £228.82 per tonne.
228.82 GBP/tonne Rate from 1 April 2026 (was £223.69 from 1 April 2025). Applies below a 30% recycled-content threshold. Enactment date (Finance Act 2021) not checked on source page. Date shown is the start date the source gives.
From the source “The new rate for Plastic Packaging Tax from 1 April 2026 is £228.82 per tonne.”
Materials: Plastic
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Ban (2)
England ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene food containers
SPI summary Since 1 October 2023 businesses in England may not supply single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, or expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drink containers and cups.
From the source “Part 2 prohibits the supply of single-use plastic plates, trays or bowls, balloon sticks and cutlery.”
Materials: Single-use plastic
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Wales Single-use Plastic Products Act 2023
SPI summary Act of the Senedd banning supply of listed single-use plastic products in Wales, including plates, cutlery, straws, and cups and takeaway food containers made of expanded or foamed extruded polystyrene. The first prohibitions came into force on 30 October 2023.
From the source “received Royal Assent on 6 June 2023”
Materials: Single-use plastic
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Adopted and proposed
Rules that are not yet applying. The status changes when a rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027
SPI summary The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Amendment Regulations 2025 move the main start of Scotland's scheme from 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2027, aligning with England and Northern Ireland. Registration provisions for retailers and return point operators applied from 1 July 2025.
From the source “for “1 October 2025” substitute “1 October 2027”.”
Materials: Plastic, Metal
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland)
SPI summary Regulations set up a deposit return scheme for single-use PET plastic, steel and aluminium drinks containers of 150ml to 3 litres, run by a deposit management organisation. The scheme starts on 1 October 2027. Glass is not included.
From the source “Except as provided in paragraph (3), these Regulations come into force on 1st October 2027.”
Materials: Plastic, Metal
Source consulted 12 Oct 2026 · History (1)
- Added
Timeline of packaging rules in the United Kingdom
| Adopted | Rule | Type | Status | Applies from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 2025 | PackUK year 2 (2026-27) modulated packaging EPR fees | EPR | In force | 1 Apr 2026 |
| 19 Jun 2025 | Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027 Scotland | Deposit return | Adopted, not yet applying | 1 Oct 2027 |
| 23 Jan 2025 | Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland) England, Northern Ireland | Deposit return | Adopted, not yet applying | 1 Oct 2027 |
| 11 Dec 2024 | UK packaging EPR regulations (pEPR) 2024 | EPR | In force | 1 Jan 2025 |
| 7 Sep 2023 | England ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene food containers England | Ban | In force | 1 Oct 2023 |
| 6 Jun 2023 | Wales Single-use Plastic Products Act 2023 Wales | Ban | In force | 30 Oct 2023 |
| 1 Apr 2022 | UK Plastic Packaging Tax | Tax or levy | In force | 1 Apr 2022 |
How the United Kingdom compares
| Jurisdiction | Rules | In force | EPR | Taxes | Bans | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Canada | 6 | 6 | Yes | 0 | 2 | — |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| China | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| European Union | 18 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 12 Aug 2028 |
| France | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| India | 4 | 4 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Kenya | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Philippines | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Poland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| United Kingdom | 7 | 5 | Yes | 1 | 2 | 1 Oct 2027 |
| United States | 13 | 9 | Yes | 0 | 3 | — |
| Vietnam | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
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About this tracker
- Purpose
- To show packaging teams which rules on packaging and packaging waste apply where, from when, and at what rate, with the official text one click away.
- Coverage
- 79 rules in 25 jurisdictions: extended producer responsibility, packaging taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling, deposit return, design and reporting rules. Coverage is growing and is not complete for any jurisdiction.
- Data sources
- Official journals and gazettes, legislatures, ministries, regulators and the bodies that run each scheme. Each rule names its source, links to it and quotes it.
- Methodology
- An analyst finds the rule in its source, records the facts (authority, dates, rate, materials) and copies a short quote. The SPI summary and SPI note are our reading of the source and are labelled. A second analyst can then re-check the rule against the source; it is then marked Verified. Any later change to the facts sends it back to Sourced and is logged in its history.
- Limitations
- Not legal advice. 0 of 79 rules have had a second check so far. Rates and dates can change after the date a source was consulted, and secondary legislation, guidance and local rules may not be listed. Always rely on the official text.
- Access
- Free to read and to download as CSV, with weekly change alerts by e-mail. For a mapping of the rules to your own products and markets, request a briefing.
- Corrections
- Found an error or a missing rule? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com with the rule ID and the source. Corrections are logged in the rule history.
Questions
Does the United Kingdom have packaging EPR?
Yes. In force: PackUK year 2 (2026-27) modulated packaging EPR fees and UK packaging EPR regulations (pEPR) 2024. Each rule is listed on this page with its authority, dates and official source.
Is there a packaging tax in the United Kingdom?
Yes: UK Plastic Packaging Tax (228.82 GBP/tonne).
Which packaging items are banned in the United Kingdom?
Bans in force: England ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene food containers (England) and Wales Single-use Plastic Products Act 2023 (Wales).
What packaging rules are coming in the United Kingdom?
Scotland deposit return scheme start moved to October 2027 (1 October 2027) and Deposit return scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland) (1 October 2027).
What are the rows in this tracker based on?
Each rule links to the source it was taken from, usually the legal text in an official journal or gazette or the page of the ministry, regulator or agency that runs it, with a short quote from that source. No rule has been re-checked by a second analyst yet, so every rule is marked Sourced. Rules that pass a second check will be marked Verified. Always confirm against the linked text before relying on a rule.
What is the difference between the source quote and the SPI summary?
The quote is copied from the official source. The SPI summary and any SPI note are our own reading of it, written in plain language, and are labelled as such.
What do the statuses mean?
Enacted rules are law: in force (applies now), adopted (passed, but obligations start later), expired or withdrawn. Proposed rules are formal proposals or drafts that are not yet law.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tracker summarises official texts so you can see what applies and when. Always check the linked legal text, or ask us for a compliance briefing for your products and markets.
How current is a row, and what changed?
Each rule shows the date its source was consulted and a history of every change made to it since it was added. New and changed rules are added as we find them; there is no fixed review cycle yet.
Which rules apply to your packs?
Tell us your products, materials and markets. An analyst maps the obligations, fees and deadlines that apply, with every source.