Obligations for packaging design and use -who do they apply to?

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015 establish requirements packaging must meet before it can be placed on the EU market. Your business must comply with these regulations if you:

• package or fill products into packaging, or
• have your brand, trademark or distinctive mark on the packaging (as in these cases you will be considered the packer/ filler)
• recondition the packaging for reuse, or
• import packaging or filled packaging., or
• manufacture packaging or are the manufacturer’s authorised representative in the European Union;

and

• intend to place the new or reconditioned packaging on the EU market - the regulations don’t apply to used packaging that is going to be reused.

For more information on the definition of packaging, see What is packaging? in this guide.

For more information about Extended producer Responsibility see:

GOV.UK: Prepare for extended producer responsibility