EPR reporting is no longer a background compliance issue that can be dealt with once a year and forgotten about. By 2026, Extended Producer Responsibility has become a live, cost-bearing obligation for UK businesses that place packaging on the market, with more detailed reporting requirements and greater scrutiny around accuracy.
Most businesses are aware of EPR in principle. The challenge now is keeping pace with how EPR regulations are evolving, knowing what’s changed, and making sure internal systems are set up to cope with the increased demands. For some organisations, 2026 will also be the first year they are fully in scope.
This guide focuses on what businesses actually need to know about EPR reporting in 2026. It explains how packaging EPR works in practice, what information needs to be reported and when deadlines fall.
What EPR really means, and why 2026 matters
Extended Producer Responsibility shifts the cost of dealing with packaging waste away from local authorities and onto the businesses that create it. If you place packaging on the UK market, you are responsible for funding the collection, sorting and recycling of that packaging once it becomes waste.
Packaging EPR has been introduced in stages, with early years focused on registration and data collection. In 2026, that transition period has ended. Producers are now responsible for the full net cost of managing household packaging waste, and the data submitted through EPR reporting directly affects the fees they pay.
Another important change is the way packaging design is being incentivised. Under the current system, fees increasingly reflect how recyclable packaging actually is. Packaging that’s harder to recycle is expected to cost more over time, while packaging that fits well within existing recycling systems is treated more favourably.
For businesses, this means EPR reporting has a direct impact on cost, operational planning and long-term packaging decisions.
Does EPR reporting apply to your business?
Under packaging EPR, a ‘producer’ is any organisation that supplies packaging onto market and meets the relevant turnover and packaging tonnage thresholds. This includes brand owners, importers, packers and fillers, and businesses that sell packaged products directly to UK customers.
One reason EPR reporting has caught some businesses out is that the thresholds are lower than under previous packaging regulations. As a result, many mid-sized organisations that weren’t previously subject to packaging compliance obligations are now required to register and report.
Responsibility can also sit at different points in the supply chain. In some cases, it's clear who the producer is. In others, particularly where multiple parties are involved in branding, filling or importing, responsibility needs to be carefully assessed. Only one business should report each item of packaging, so clarity here is essential for EPR compliance.
If your business places packaging on the market and meets the thresholds, EPR reporting requirements apply, even if the packaging itself isn’t your core product.
The difference between large and small producers
Producers are classed as large or small based on annual turnover and the amount of packaging handled in the previous year. Large producers have more frequent reporting obligations and must submit a more detailed dataset. Small producers report less often and provide a simplified set of information.
The distinction affects how reporting works in practice, but it doesn’t remove responsibility. Small producers are still required to register, collect accurate data and meet EPR reporting deadlines.
What information you need to report under EPR
Packaging EPR reporting is centred on transparency. Businesses must report what packaging they place on the market, what it's made from, and how much of it there is.
This includes reporting packaging materials such as plastic, paper, card, glass and metal, alongside accurate weight data for each material. The information each business provides underpins the EPR fees they’ll pay.
Producers must also report their role in relation to the packaging, for example whether they are the brand owner, importer or packer. Packaging is classified by its function, such as primary packaging that reaches the end user, or secondary and tertiary packaging used for distribution.
For large producers, additional detail is required. Packaging must be identified as household or non-household, which affects how costs are allocated. From 2026, large producers must also collect nation of sale data, showing where packaging is sold across the UK.
Recyclability is another growing focus. Packaging is assessed to determine how easily it can be recycled. These assessments increasingly influence EPR fees, linking reporting directly to packaging design choices.
Why data quality is becoming more important
With EPR compliance now firmly in place, data quality is under greater scrutiny. Inaccurate or inconsistent reporting can lead to higher fees, follow-up questions from regulators and avoidable administrative work.
High-quality data gives businesses more control. It supports smoother reporting, reduces compliance risk and provides a clearer picture of where packaging and waste practices can be improved.
EPR reporting deadlines to plan for in 2026
Meeting EPR reporting deadlines is a core part of compliance. For large producers, packaging data must be submitted twice a year. Data covering January to June is submitted by 1 October, while data for July to December is submitted by 1 April the following year.
Small producers submit packaging data annually by 1 April, covering the previous calendar year.
Registration is a separate requirement and must be completed every year. Confusing registration with reporting is a common issue and can result in missed obligations.
Because EPR reporting is now an ongoing requirement, businesses are better served by building it into regular processes rather than treating it as a once-a-year task. This approach improves accuracy and reduces pressure around deadlines.
What has changed since EPR was introduced
In the early stages of EPR, the focus was on helping businesses adapt to new reporting systems. Some data requirements were phased in gradually, and fees weren’t fully operational.
However, producers are now responsible for the full cost of managing household packaging waste, and EPR reporting requirements are more detailed and more closely monitored.
Eco-modulated fees are an important development. These fees are designed to encourage better packaging design by linking cost to recyclability. Over time, packaging choices that are harder to recycle are expected to be subject to higher fees.
There is also greater emphasis on consistency and accuracy across submissions. As the system stabilises, regulators are paying closer attention to how data is classified and reported.
How waste management supports EPR reporting
Although EPR reporting is a legal responsibility for producers, waste management plays an important supporting role.
Accurate weight data, clear material streams and reliable records all depend on how waste is handled day to day. Poor segregation or inconsistent tracking makes packaging data reporting more difficult and increases compliance risk.
A strong waste partner can also provide insight into recycling performance, contamination and opportunities to reduce waste. This helps businesses use EPR reporting as a tool for improvement, rather than viewing it solely as a compliance burden.
First Mile combines sustainable waste management with digital tracking and reporting, giving businesses clearer visibility of their waste streams. This supports more accurate data and makes EPR reporting easier to manage over time.
How to prepare for EPR reporting in 2026
Preparation starts with clarity. Businesses should confirm their producer role and understand whether they’re classed as a large or small producer under packaging EPR.
The next step is reviewing how packaging data is collected and managed. This includes understanding where weight information comes from, how materials are classified and who is responsible internally for maintaining records.
Engaging with suppliers and waste partners early helps reduce risk. Alignment across the supply chain makes packaging data reporting more accurate and avoids duplication.
Finally, EPR compliance works best when it's treated as part of normal operations. Regular review and oversight are far more effective than last-minute reporting.
Making EPR reporting part of everyday business
EPR reporting in 2026 reflects a more established and more demanding system. For UK businesses, the focus is no longer on awareness, but on execution.
With the right data, processes and sustainable waste management in place, EPR compliance becomes more predictable and easier to manage. It also creates opportunities to improve packaging decisions, reduce waste and strengthen sustainability performance.
First Mile works with businesses to deliver practical waste solutions, clear reporting and zero to landfill outcomes. As EPR reporting requirements continue to evolve, having the right waste partner in place can make a meaningful difference.
Talk to First Mile about zero-to-landfill waste services that support EPR compliance.
