Biffa employee in high vis next to conveyor belt

What manufacturers need to know about Extended Producer Responsibility

30 Jul 2025
5 mins
To help unpack some of the most pressing challenges and misconceptions, we spoke with two industry experts at the forefront of packaging compliance.
Legislation
Services


As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations continue to evolve, many manufacturers are facing an uphill climb to understand their obligations, prepare their data, and remain compliant. 

To help unpack some of the most pressing challenges and misconceptions, we spoke with two industry experts at the forefront of packaging compliance: 

  • Janet Harney, Group Packaging Compliance Manager at ABP 
  • Claire Davies, Head of Producer Compliance at Biffa 

Here's what they had to say.  

Janet at smart manufacturing 2025

1. The biggest challenge: understanding what applies to you  

For many manufacturers, the first hurdle is simply making sense of the legislation.

“The biggest challenge for us is navigating the legislation—trying to understand exactly what applies to us and how,” says Janet Harney from ABP.

“Then it’s about gathering the right data and understanding what’s liable. Just catching up with the data has been a huge task.”

For ABP, the key to making progress has been access to support.

“The best support we’ve had is having a point of contact we can reach out to and say, ‘Is this right? Do I understand this correctly?’”
Claire speaking at smart manufacturing 2025

2. A New Requirement: Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) 

Producers who will be handling household packaging will be required to complete recyclability assessments using a new framework: the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM).

“Any producer who handles household packaging needs to be preparing to do these assessments—either to submit directly to the EA or via their schemes,” explains Claire Davies from Biffa.

She stresses the need for proactive preparation: “They need to get their data in order, contact suppliers, check specifications—make sure their data is robust.”

Claire and the Biffa team are working closely with Pack UK and the Environment Agency to support producers through this change.
Claire at smart manufacturing 2025

3. The Most Common Misconception? Cost.

According to Claire, one of the biggest sources of confusion is around what producers are expected to pay under EPR.

“A lot of producers think they either pay PRNs or disposal fees. But depending on what you do, you may have to pay both.”

This misunderstanding has caused frustration for many, especially as costs continue to evolve with the rollout of EPR.

“There’s been a steep learning curve,” she says.
“Now, it’s about embedding that understanding, getting clarity, and moving forward with confidence.”
EPR is complex—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

Both ABP and Biffa show that with the right guidance, collaboration, and early preparation, manufacturers can adapt and respond with confidence. 

If you're still unsure what EPR means for your organisation, don't wait to ask for help. Clarity now will save time—and cost—later.  

Contact us today.