Regulations & governance:
Senior Team Update
- Jeremy Blake, CEO
- Esther Carter, CSO
Appointed in July, they became the permanent Officers for PackUK to replace Margaret Bates who was acting as the interim Head of PackUK, on secondment from OPRL.
The joined PackUK at the start of September, and have also been attending many industry events in their new capacities.
Margaret Bates has now moved to a temporary position at the Simpler Recycling scheme roll-out at Defra.
Data reporting:
Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) updates
PackUK have confirmed a ‘Stand Still’ on changes to the RAM for 2025 and 2026, with the next iteration (RAM 2027) to be published in July 2026 for Producers to get to grips with changes to the methodology before they place packaging on the market.
RAM Roadmap
On 1 October, PackUK released the RAM roadmap, which outlines areas of focus for RAM development, guided by the RAM Technical Advisory Committee (RAM TAC).
- Includes RAM v1.0 removals to be looked at before RAM 2027, alongside a review of language & definitions, and fibre-based composites (FBC) material deep dive.
- Alignment with Simpler Recycling, International regulations / developments, and review of flexible & rigid plastic guidance before release of RAM 2028.
RAM Supplementary Guidance
Designed to support producers in completing their RAM Assessments, this guidance provides insights into particular element of the RAM, technical specifications and clarification of wording and terminologies.
RAM Reporting ‘Flexibility’ for H1 2025 data submission
A reminder that in response to industry feedback PackUK have provided a Regulatory Position Statement which introduces some flexibility for producers when submitting RAM outputs in their H1 2025 data submissions.
Guidance & engagement:
PackUK released guidance to producers referred to as the ‘RAM one page material guidance notes’. This can be viewed and downloaded here.
Agree Positions v7 is being finalised and due to be released “shortly” on NPWD.
The most recent ‘joint industry forum’ hosted by Defra and the regulators, was held on Tuesday 7 October 2025. The next ones will be:
November: Tuesday 4 November 2025, 14:30- 16:00: Register now
December: Tuesday 2 December 2025, 14:30- 16:00: Register now
Recyclability labelling:
Potential updates in the Circularity Economy Strategy due to be published as a consultation in late Autumn.
Disposal fees:
pEPR Year 1 Invoicing: Key information for liable producers
Invoices due to be released to producers over the next couple of weeks, with test invoices followed by bulk invoices starting w/c 13 October.
Important: Please read the linked guidance and make sure that necessary users are correctly set up on RPD to receive and pay the invoices once released to avoid late payment charges.
