A Manchester-based environmental compliance specialist is urging businesses to act quickly or risk overpaying, if they don’t report packaging data accurately under new government legislation by the upcoming deadlines.
Ecoveritas is addressing the Government’s recent regulation overhaul which has set reporting deadline dates for October this year and April 2025.
The new regulation increases accountability for companies to declare their packaging activity in a bid to increase accountability and curb environmental impacts.
The firm is now leveraging cutting edge technology along with years of expertise to help businesses navigate the changes and avoid costly financial repercussions.
The new regulations require UK businesses to collect and report data on the packaging they supply or import, obtain waste recycling evidence to meet legal obligations and declare which country the packaging is supplied and discarded in, among others.
Those obligated may also have to pay a waste management fee, administrator costs and a charge to the appropriate environmental agency.
These new rules apply to individual businesses, subsidiaries or groups which have an annual turnover of £1 million or more, carry out packaging activities and were responsible for importing or supplying more than 25 tonnes of it to the UK market in the previous calendar year.
Ecoveritas works with a range of businesses, from SMEs to major brands like Waitrose, Selfridges, Claire’s, and Suzuki, providing consulting, data, and software solutions to help organisations through the complexities of environmental compliance reporting.
The company has recently expanded its team and invested in technology to automate and streamline part of the process for businesses.
Speaking about these latest legislation changes, Chief Strategy Officer Andrew McCaffery, who has worked in the sector for more than 30 years, explained how the firm’s expertise and tech has made it easier for businesses to meet the new reporting requirements.
“The new regulations bring a level of complication that many businesses simply aren’t equipped to handle on their own,” he said.
“Leveraging technology and expert guidance, such as what we provide at Ecoveritas, will be essential for companies to steer through these requirements efficiently and avoid potential penalties.
“If businesses fail to accurately report this data, they may end up paying more than is necessary and, while a penalty is yet to be set, they could be fined in the future.
“The new robust producer packaging responsibilities are not just about compliance- they represent a
significant shift in how companies must manage their environmental impact, both within the UK and internationally.”
To explain some of the legislation changes in a nutshell, Mr McCaffery said brand owners and producers are now responsible for reporting more details about packaging, including whether it’s for homes or businesses, if it’s a drink container or if it could become litter, among others.
“This is where Ecoveritas provides valuable support. We handle the data collection and organisation for businesses, ensuring the data is accurate and formatted correctly for government submission,” added Mr McCaffery.
While these changes are detailed and lengthy, Mr McCaffery clarified that they will ultimately benefit the circular economy through incentivising businesses to reduce and recycle.
With the first deadline set for October 1st, Ecoveritas is encouraging companies to submit their data, even if it is late.
The next submission date is just around the corner on April 1st next year, it is essential that businesses start the lengthy preparation process now.
Mr McCaffery added: “These new regulations are here to stay, whether companies like it or not. It is crucial that those affected adapt now, or they risk incurring hundreds of thousands of pounds in unnecessary costs.
“We have a responsibility to not only comply but also to protect our planet for future generations.”