Jude Allan, interim managing director at OPRL, said that, while the requirement for recycling labels on primary and shipment packaging would not be applied until further notice, she was encouraged that Defra had highlighted the need for brands to continue to use labelling to help customers recycle in the interim.
Defra announced in a recent business readiness forum that the decision to put mandatory labelling on hold was to avoid potentially unnecessary costs to businesses and frictions to trade due to similar reforms currently being considered by the EU.
Head of the scheme administrator, Margaret Bates, said last week that she hoped the change would also allow for the UK EPR to align better with Europe and allow future cross-European labelling.
Allan described it as a slight set-back but added: “Communicating with customers through on-pack labelling will remain central to the success of pEPR, so it is important to build on the work that OPRL has been doing for 15 years. We do not want to lose momentum when it comes to providing clear advice to householders about how to dispose of their packaging.
“We know that Defra will be exploring ways to introduce a labelling regime that benefits businesses and consumers alike. OPRL will be liaising with Defra and will continue to inform our members around the latest developments, as well as continuing and developing our services to our members.
“We look forward to working with the packaging value chain on labelling for pEPR as future arrangements are clarified.”
In a statement emailed to industry stakeholders, Defra said that EPR is currently on track to come into force in January 2025 and that it hoped mandatory labelling will be included in the future.
To learn more about pEPR and the incoming changes, make sure you attend the EPR Conference on 14 November in London. See the growing agenda and book your tickets here.
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