The UK government has called for expressions of interest in forming a new producer-led body to manage the controversial packaging levy.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) gave potential candidates until 10 June to throw their hats in the ring for the role.
It said the appointment of a “producer responsibility organisation” would support “closer producer involvement” in the new packaging waste system.
PackUK, which is currently administering the scheme, recently published new rules for firms to use when classifying their materials under the extended producer responsibility (EPR) regime. In-scope producers are required to pay set fees to cover the management of waste packaging placed on the market from 1 January 2025, with the first reporting deadline on 1 October this year.
But the government said a statutory instrument to be laid in Parliament in November would bring in changes.
“In response to requests for greater producer leadership in the operation of the packaging EPR scheme, the amending regulations will enable the appointment of a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) and will allow the transfer of functions to this new organisation,” said Defra.
“To prepare for this, alongside the regulations, we are also launching an expression of interest process. This invites potential PRO candidates to register their interest and begin agreeing on the potential role of the PRO with the four governments of the UK.”
Other changes heralded by the forthcoming statutory instrument include ‘extending closed-loop offsetting provisions to food grade plastic’ according to Defra.
