Accredited reprocessors and exporters
Most packaging producers are not in a position to physically
recycle their own packaging waste. This is carried out
by reprocessor and exporter companies. Businesses who
recover and recycle waste packaging or export waste packaging for
reprocessing overseas can apply to become accredited.
Accredited businesses can issue and sell evidence of recycling
and recovery to directly registered obligated producers and
packaging compliance schemes. Approved evidence of compliance takes
the form of electronic Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (ePRNs) and
electronic Packaging Waste Export Recovery Notes (ePERNs) that are
issued to producers or Compliance Schemes to offset their recycling
obligation.
A register of accredited exporters and
reprocessors is available on the National Waste Packaging
Database (NPWD) public
register.
Applying for accreditation
Accreditation is voluntary and is available to any site that is
carrying out a valid recovery activity on packaging waste and that
an adequate documentation system is in place to record activities
satisfactorily.
You can apply for an accreditation if you are a UK business
which:
- recovers or recycles UK waste packaging;
- or exports UK waste packaging for recovery or recycling.
By ‘recovering’ waste, we mean burning it as a fuel or using it
to create energy in some other way. By ‘recycling’ waste, we mean
creating new products from materials which have been thrown
away.
Please read the guidance document before
you apply for accreditation.
Online applications
Applications for accredited status can made online via the
National Packaging Waste
Database 
.
You can request login details to begin the application process by
emailing us
or calling 01786 457700.
SEPA has a statutory 12 week determination period for all
applications. Those received by 30 September will be
determined by 1 January the following year. Applications
received after 30 September may not be determined until after 1
January. Accordingly, accreditation will not be back dated
and you will not be permitted to issue evidence during a period of
non-accreditation.
Transfrontier shipment of waste
If you are operating as an accredited
exporter of packaging waste then you must comply with the
Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007. These
regulations control the import and export of all waste streams into
and out of the United Kingdom and subsequently apply to all exports
of packaging waste.
SEPA enforcement position
SEPA has produced an enforcement position statement
in relation to independent
auditors' reports (17 December 2009).