Compliance scheme European Recycling Platform (ERP) UK Ltd, is set to operate a packaging compliance scheme, after having been granted approval from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Set to begin in 2013, ERP will offer producers packaging compliance alongside its current WEEE and batteries producer compliances.
As a packaging compliance scheme, ERP will:
- Take on the legal obligations of packaging producers who join the scheme;
- Provide an operational plan on behalf of all the scheme members;
- Be responsible for providing evidence of recovery and recycling for its members.
According to the company, the decision to extend its services to offer a packaging compliance scheme as well as WEEE and batteries compliance came about in order to offer ‘high-quality, cost-effective compliance to current and prospective producer members’ in a ‘one-stop shop’.
Scott Butler, ERP UK’s Managing Director, said: “It’s great news that we’ve been approved as a packaging compliance scheme. We’re delighted to be able to offer our current members the full range of compliance and we hope as many producers as possible will take the opportunity to move their compliance needs ‘under one roof’.”
Umberto Raiteri, ERP’s President and CEO, added: “Being able to offer our customers a new compliance service will allow ERP to reinforce its presence in the UK market, while across Europe we continue to grow, offering extended services in more countries as the only multi-country and multi-product compliance scheme.”
Companies are legally obligated to register with relevant agencies for packaging compliance (which aims to reduce packaging usage and limit the amount of waste sent to landfill) if:
- their annual UK turnover exceeds £2 million;
- they handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging and/or packaging materials;
- they own the packaging materials handled;
- they perform a relevant activity on any packaging handled.
Read more information on packaging compliance in The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) 2007.
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