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Guidance

Large producers that stop performing producer functions: RPS 377

Published 1 September 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/large-producers-that-stop-performing-producer-functions-rps-377/large-producers-that-stop-performing-producer-functions-rps-377

This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to:

  1. Register as a large producer in line with the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 (the Packaging regulations).
  2. Report packaging data in line with the Packaging regulations.

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you if you do not comply with these legal requirements provided that you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS.

1. Activity this RPS applies to

This RPS applies to large packaging producers who permanently stop performing a producer function and would otherwise need to register and report packaging data by 1 October 2026.

2. Conditions you must comply with

You must get the Environment Agency’s agreement before using this RPS by emailing packagingproducers@environment-agency.gov.uk with the date you stopped performing a producer function.

3. Things to note

The Environment Agency may check that a producer function has stopped. This could include online checks, contacting the large producer, or a site inspection.

4. When you must check back

This RPS will expire on 1 January 2028.

The Environment Agency can withdraw or amend this regulatory position before 1 January 2028 if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed.

You will need to check back from time to time, including at and before the expiry date, to see if this RPS still applies.

This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.

You can subscribe to email updates about this RPS. These will tell you if the RPS has changed and when it has been withdrawn. Use the ‘Get emails about this page’ feature on the RPS publication page.

5. If you cannot comply with this RPS

If you operate under this RPS but can no longer comply with it, you must:

6. Contact the Environment Agency

If you have any questions about this RPS, email packagingproducers@environment-agency.gov.uk with RPS 377 in the subject.

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