EPR & RAM Packaging Legislation

Last reviewed: September 2026

  • EPR & RAM Legislation

    Turning packaging legislation into business opportunity

    Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) are changing how businesses design, specify and manage packaging in the UK.

    EPR makes businesses more responsible for the packaging they place on the market, while RAM assesses how effectively certain packaging can be recycled within the UK's existing recycling system.

    Packaging is no longer simply about protecting and presenting a product. The materials you choose, the amount of packaging you use and how easily it can be recycled can increasingly affect your business costs, reporting requirements and environmental performance.

    TPG helps businesses understand these changes and identify practical packaging improvements that reduce cost, material use and regulatory impact.

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

    What does EPR mean for your business?

    Extended Producer Responsibility puts greater responsibility on businesses for the packaging they place on the market, including the costs associated with managing packaging waste.

    For obligated businesses, this means having accurate packaging data and understanding how packaging choices can affect EPR obligations and costs.

    But EPR can be more than a compliance requirement.

    It creates a commercial opportunity to look again at the packaging you use.

    Reducing unnecessary material, simplifying components, changing specifications or redesigning a pack can reduce packaging weight and waste while potentially improving efficiency and reducing associated costs.

  • Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM)

    How recyclable is your packaging?

    RAM looks beyond whether a material is theoretically recyclable. It considers how packaging performs through the recycling system, including collection, sortation, reprocessing and application.

    For large producers, relevant household packaging must be assessed using RAM and reported alongside packaging data. Packaging receives a Green, Amber or Red recyclability rating, with the rating influencing EPR fee modulation.

    This means recyclability is becoming a commercial consideration as well as an environmental one.

    A better RAM outcome can help reduce the regulatory and environmental impact of packaging, while potentially reducing the EPR costs associated with less recyclable packaging.

    RAM is also evolving, with the methodology being updated annually. RAM 1.1 applies to the 2026 reporting year, while RAM 2027 applies to packaging supplied during 2027.

  • What does this mean for your packaging?

    EPR and RAM bring packaging design, materials and specification into sharper focus.

    Businesses should be asking:

    Can we use less material
    Can packaging be lightweighted or reduced without compromising protection or performance?

    Can we simplify the pack
    Can components, materials or specifications be consolidated?

    Can we improve recyclability
    Can changes to the structure, materials or components improve the packaging's RAM outcome?

    Can we reduce costs
    Can packaging optimisation deliver savings in materials, production, logistics and potentially EPR-related costs?

    Can we future-proof our packaging
    Can today's packaging decisions reduce exposure to changing legislation and requirements?

  • How TPG can help

    From compliance to packaging improvement

    As independent packaging consultants, TPG can assess packaging from both a technical and commercial perspective. Rather than simply identifying whether packaging meets current requirements, we look at what can be changed to improve its performance, reduce material use, improve recyclability and deliver measurable cost savings.

    We can review your existing packaging portfolio and identify opportunities for:

    Material Reduction
    Reducing packaging weight and unnecessary components while maintaining performance and product protection.

    Recyclability Improvement
    Reviewing packaging structures, materials and components to identify opportunities to improve recyclability and RAM outcomes.

    Packaging Rationalisation
    Consolidating pack formats, specifications and materials to reduce complexity and improve purchasing and operational efficiency.

    Снижение цены
    Identifying opportunities to reduce material, manufacturing, logistics and associated packaging costs.

    Sustainable дизайн
    Developing packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the technical and commercial requirements of the product.

    Технический новаторство
    Finding alternative materials, structures and technologies that can deliver better performance, improved recyclability or reduced material usage.

  • Making legislation work for your business

    EPR and RAM should not be considered in isolation from packaging design.

    The most effective response is to improve the packaging itself.

    By reviewing packaging early, businesses can identify opportunities to use less material, improve recyclability, simplify their packaging portfolio and reduce costs — while maintaining the performance and brand requirements that packaging needs to deliver.

    TPG's independent packaging expertise allows us to look beyond compliance and identify practical, commercially viable improvements across your packaging portfolio.

  • Could your packaging work harder for your business?

    TPG can review your packaging portfolio to identify opportunities for material reduction, improved recyclability, cost reduction and EPR optimisation.

    Talk to TPG about your packaging