Packaging waste

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Packaging waste regulations

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007, SI 2007/871, (PRO(PW)R 2017) as updated by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020, apply in Great Britain. They are intended to manage packaging waste and prevent or reduce the impact of packaging and packaging waste on the environment by encouraging minimisation and reuse and by setting recovery and recycling targets. These obligations are part of the producer responsibility obligations on producers to ensure that waste derived from their products is kept to a minimum.

The Environment Act 2021 introduced powers for the government to reform existing producer responsibility schemes and to introduce new schemes in the future. The powers provide for modulated fees that can be used to incentivise producers to design their products with re-use and recycling in mind and data collection and data reporting regulations for packaging waste were introduced in 2023 and 2024 to inform the charging schemes for the extended producer responsibility regulations.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, SI 2024/1332 were made on 11 December 2024, in force on 1 January 2025. These regulations

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Environment News

Welsh Government publishes response to review of biodiversity duty implementation

The Welsh Government has published its response to the recommendations from a 2021 review of the section 6 biodiversity duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (E(W)A 2016). The response outlines plans to publish a definitive list of public authorities subject to the duty and confirms that the forthcoming Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill will establish the Office of Environmental Governance Wales to oversee compliance with environmental legislation. Additional measures include enhanced guidance for public authorities, particularly town and community councils, alongside expanded monitoring and reporting requirements. The Welsh Government also intends to refresh section 6 guidance documents to align with the new legislation, with all new and refreshed guidance to be co-designed and co-developed with public authorities.

Commission consults on minimum sustainability requirements for public net zero technology contracts

The European Commission has launched a consultation on a draft implementing regulation that will establish minimum environmental sustainability requirements for public procurement of clean technologies under the EU Net Zero Industry Act. The regulation will set mandatory requirements for contracting authorities and entities engaged in procurement procedures for net-zero technology contracts, including wind power, heat pumps and grid technologies. The implementing regulation supplements Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 and aims to standardise environmental sustainability criteria in public procurement across the EU. The consultation is open for feedback from 16 September 2025 to 14 October 2025.

Planning Practice Guidance on sequential testing approach in flood risk and coastal change updated

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has updated its Planning Practice Guidance on flood risk and coastal change. The amendments affect paragraphs 23, 27, the new 27a, and 28. Paragraph 23 reiterates that the sequential approach is designed to direct development towards areas with the lowest flood risk. Paragraph 27 clarifies that sequential testing applies to both major and non-major developments in flood risk areas, while also introducing exemptions for certain developments where surface water flood risk can be clearly mitigated. The newly introduced paragraph 27a provides guidance on identifying the appropriate areas of search for sequential testing, stating that the catchment area should be suitable to the nature and scale of the proposal. Finally, paragraph 28 confirms that sites do not need to be owned by the applicant to be deemed ‘reasonably available’ for sequential testing purposes. Although housing land supply considerations may be relevant to overall planning balance, the guidance makes it clear that they do not influence the application of the sequential test.

Defra publishes 2025 biodiversity duty statement

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its 2025 biodiversity duty statement, outlining how it has met its statutory biodiversity obligations across England, Scotland and Wales. The policy paper identifies measures to support biodiversity in line with Defra's environmental restoration goals and sets out actions across six key functional areas: policy-making, management of Defra's 330,000-hectare estate, research and evaluation, finance, commercial activities and communications. Actions are categorised as short-term (within two years), long-term (beyond two years) or potential future initiatives. Key commitments include the development of a Defra Group Nature Recovery Plan and the integration of biodiversity considerations into policy-making processes.

View Environment by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements[Insert addressee details]Dear [insert name][It is our understanding that [insert name of prospective employee] [was an employee of yours between the dates of [insert dates as appropriate] OR is a current employee of
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements[Insert addressee details]Dear [insert name][It is our understanding that [insert name of prospective employee] [was an employee of yours between the dates of [insert dates as appropriate] OR is a current employee of