Packaging Regulations

Recently we have seen that the courts have been willing to impose higher fines on producer's of packaging waste that do not register with the Environment Agency or join a registered compliance scheme. Recently the UK's highest fine (to date) was imposed against a company for non compliance. The company was fined £225,000 and ordered to pay the Environment Agency both costs and compensation.

The Packaging Regulations apply to any one that:

• has an annual turnover of more than £2 million
• handles more than 50 tonnes of packaging per year and
• falls into one of the following categories:
  • imports packaging or packed goods into the UK
  • run licenced premises
  • puts goods into packaging
  • manufactures packaging
  • sells packaged goods to a final user eg consumer
  • hires out packaging

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Andrew Wiseman is a partner and head of the Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons' Environment team. Please contact him on 01489 555016, or email him at andrew.wiseman@bllaw.co.uk.