This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to packaging and packaging waste. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
For more information about EMS, see our guide on environmental management systems - the basics.
- Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations SI 2003/1941. Sets out requirements for packaging which apply to packaging producers, sellers and distributors, including enforcement, offences and penalties. Find the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2004/1188. Amends 2003/1941 to update the definition of packaging. Find the Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2006/1492. Amends 2003/1941 by substituting a new definition of 'packaging' and making indefinite the conditions for a derogation (permission to carry out an otherwise banned activity) for glass packaging in relation to heavy metal concentration levels. Find the Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations SI 2009/1504. Amends 2003/1941 by removing 4 March 2009 expiry date for the derogation on maximum heavy metal concentration levels for plastic crates or pallets. Find the Packaging (Essential Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2007/198. Requires producers to recover and recycle packaging waste to achieve European Union (EU) targets. Find the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2008/77. Amends 2007/198 to increase recovery and recycling targets. Find the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2008/373. Amends 2007/198 by revising the requirements for accrediting an exporter of packaging waste. Find the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
- Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) SR 2010/396. Amends 2007/198, establishing new waste recovery and recycling targets for 2011 and 2012, strengthening reporting provisions and making other technical changes. Find the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
Find information on current and future environmental legislation on the NetRegs website.