Packaging waste regulations in the UK

The UK has implemented the EC Directive on Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive through two sets of Regulations:

Producers' Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations provide the statutory framework by which the UK must meet the minimum recovery and recycling targets contained in the Directive. These Regulations place obligations on all UK companies that have a turnover exceeding £2 million and that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging per annum. These regulations are enforced by: SEPA; the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Obligated companies based in Great Britain must register with either SEPA; the Environment Agency, or a registered Compliance Scheme .
The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998 require that packaging should be minimised, that it be should be capable of recovery and recycling and that it contain restricted amounts of certain hazardous substances. These Regulations are enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards Departments. Further information can be obtained from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)

In November 2009 the Packaging Waste (Amendment) Regulations 2010 came into force which extended the recovery and materials recycling targets beyond 2010, and introduced various other technical changes. A summary of these changes can be found in the following fact sheet (115kb).