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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Closed consultation Reforms to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Note (PERN) Systems and Operator Approval Consultation

    Topics:
    • Resource & Waste Policy, 
    • Extended Producer Responsibility

    Consultation closed Consultation opened 28 March 2022, 11.04 am and closed 21 May 2022, 11.45 pm

    Summary

    This consultation is now closed.
    We are also seeking views on our proposed reforms to the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system.

    Documents

    • Reforms to the PRN and PERN System - Consultation Document Adobe PDF (398 KB)
    • Reforms to the PRN and PERN System - Regulatory Triage Assessment Adobe PDF (473 KB)

    Help viewing documents

    Consultation description

    We want to know what you think about our plans to reform the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system. This system will be established by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging waste.

    As outlined in the Government response to the 2021 consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR) for packaging the UK Government and Devolved Administrations have decided to make provisions for the continuation of the PRN/PERN system in the new Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations for all (household and non-household) packaging waste as an interim solution.

    The wider EPR measures should address many of the shortcomings of the current producer responsibility arrangements however, there are several improvements that may be necessary to further improve the functioning of the PRN/PERN market in the short term. These include the volatility and unpredictability of PRN/PERN prices, a lack of transparency, the potential for fraud in the issue of PRNs/PERNs and producer dependency on exports to meet recycling targets. This consultation seeks views on several proposals to address these issues and improve the overall effectiveness of the system.

    The consultation on reforms to the PRN/PERN system and operator approval can be accessed through the respond online green button below.

    We encourage you to respond to this consultation as the responses will inform decisions on the approach to the PRN/PERN system as part of our wider EPR reforms.

    Click here to view documents relating to the responses to the consultation.

    Ways to respond

    Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.

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