Small businesses across Omagh and Northern Ireland are being reminded to check if they need to register and report their packaging data under new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
For the first time, companies with an annual turnover of more than £1 million and handling over 25 tonnes of packaging each year must record and report their packaging data.
The EPR scheme is a UK-wide reform of the existing packaging rules, designed to:
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Boost recycling rates
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Cut down on non-recyclable waste
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Shift the cost of managing packaging waste from households to producers
The cut-off date for submitting 2024 data was 1 April 2025, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is encouraging all organisations—large and small—to make sure they’re compliant.
“Some producers may think they’re not impacted as they operate on a smaller scale compared to larger firms. We want to make sure that all organisations impacted by the scheme are brought on board rather than incurring a potential penalty for non-compliance,” an NIEA spokesperson said.
The scheme introduces major changes for larger organisations, who must now report their data every six months and cover the full cost of managing packaging waste, including collection, sorting, and treatment.
Businesses will also need to pay disposal costs from 1 October 2025, with future fees linked to how recyclable their packaging is—meaning sustainable packaging choices could reduce costs.
👉 Local businesses in Omagh are encouraged to act now to avoid penalties and to take advantage of cost savings by choosing more recyclable packaging options.
For registration guidance please visit: gov.uk
For help with queries email the NIEA: packaging@daera-ni.gov.uk
