As you may be aware, the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for packaging has now fully come into effect in 2025.

These regulations hold businesses accountable for the entire lifecycle of the packaging materials they use, from production and distribution through to collection and recycling.

Significant additional costs will be incurred due to:

• EPR compliance for packaging management, with producers being required to apply the EPR reporting methodology for all packaging placed on the market from 1st January 2025. Charges were confirmed in August and will be applied from 1st October 2025.

We have already had to absorb the costs incurred from the:

• PRN (Packaging Recovery Note) obligations under UK packaging waste regulations.
• Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) for any finished plastic packaging components manufactured or imported into the UK that contain less than 30% recycled plastic.

Whilst EBF continues to work closely with our long-standing supply partners to source quality products at a competitive price, these costs cannot be mitigated or further absorbed.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the changes in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact your Empire Bespoke Account Manager.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Yours Sincerely

Empire Bespoke Foods Ltd Team