UK EPR Fees (2026-2027) & Eco-Modulation Guide
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees are evolving. Learn about the 2025 base rates, the new 2026 eco-modulated fees, and how the RAM (Recyclability Assessment Methodology) affects your costs.
Written by Remedy EPR · Updated August 2026 · 4 min read
What Are EPR Fees?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees are charges imposed on businesses that produce or sell packaging materials. These fees ensure producers fund the full cost of managing packaging waste, with rates shifting toward eco-modulation to reward sustainable design.
From 2026, fees will be "modulated" based on data reported for 2025. The cut off for reporting 2025 data is April 2026. Better recyclability (Green RAM) results in lower fees, while poor recyclability (Red RAM) lead to significant surcharges.
Note: These do not cover registration fees paid to environmental agencies or costs for meeting packaging recycling targets.
1. 2025 Base Rates (Year 1)
Fee rates for 2025 using the 2024 reporting period data, before eco-modulation is applied:
| Material | Base Rate (£) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | £266 |
| Fiber Composite | £461 |
| Glass | £192 |
| Paper & Card | £196 |
| Plastic | £423 |
| Steel | £259 |
| Wood | £280 |
| Other | £259 |
For Year 1, fees are non-modulated base rates across all material categories. Refer to the official 2025 base fees guidance for further details.
2. 2026 Illustrative Fees (Year 2)
Modulated fees (rounded to nearest £5) for 2025 data, based on RAM recyclability categories:
| Material | Green (£/t) | Amber (£/t) | Red (£/t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | £245 | £270 | £325 |
| Fibre Composite | £475 | £525 | £630 |
| Glass | £185 | £205 | £245 |
| Paper & Card | £190 | £210 | £250 |
| Plastic | £415 | £455 | £545 |
| Steel | £260 | £290 | £345 |
| Wood | £410 | £450 | £540 |
| Other | £205 | £225 | £270 |
These official illustrative fees include modulated fees (green, amber and red) linked to the implementation of the RAM. Year 2 guidance
Green RAM: -9% Discount
High recyclability. These materials receive a 9% discount from the base illustrative fee, rewarding sustainable design.
Amber RAM: Base Fee
Medium recyclability. This acts as the baseline fee. Upgrading to Green alternatives can reduce your annual compliance costs.
Red RAM: +20% Surcharge
Low recyclability. Incurs an additional 20% surcharge above the base rate. Identifying these "malus" risks is critical for budget planning.
Calculate your 2026 RAM Fees
Don't wait for your invoice. Use our free calculator to see how eco-modulation will impact your costs based on material, weight, and recyclability.
Why Are EPR Fees Important?
EPR fees play a crucial role in reducing packaging waste and promoting a circular economy.
Reduce Packaging
Minimise the amount of packaging used in products to lower environmental impact and fees.
Use Recyclable Materials
Switch to materials that are easier to recycle, reducing the burden on waste management systems.
Support Infrastructure
Contribute to the development of recycling facilities and local authority waste management.
How to Prepare for EPR Fees in the UK
Understand Your Obligations
Determine whether your business falls under the EPR regulations. If you produce or sell packaging, you are likely required to comply.
Collect Packaging Data
Track the type and weight of packaging materials you place on the market. Accurate data is essential for calculating your fees.
Plan for Costs
Budget for EPR fees as part of your operational costs. Fees can vary significantly depending on your packaging materials and volumes.
Build a fee forecast you can explain
Keep packaging mass, RAM ratings and rate assumptions in separate controlled tables. This lets finance change an illustrative rate without altering the packaging data used for compliance. Record the source date beside each rate.
| Forecast input | Source | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Household packaging tonnes | Approved product and transaction data | Reconcile by material |
| RAM rating | Component assessment | Link evidence and version |
| Fee rate | PackUK publication or notice | Record status and publication date |
| Scenario volume | Sales forecast | Keep separate from reported actuals |
Explain differences between forecast and invoice
A variance can come from final rates, updated tonnage, RAM changes or a different household-packaging allocation. Build a bridge that shows each cause separately. Finance can then update product costs without changing the compliance record.
Data checks
Find missing SKUs, duplicate transaction joins, old component weights and unsupported classifications before calculating cost.
Commercial checks
Confirm which entity receives the liability, which products carry the cost and whether customer pricing uses forecast or confirmed fees.
Keep disposal fees separate from other EPR costs
A complete budget can include registration fees, compliance-scheme charges, PRNs or PERNs, data preparation and waste disposal fees. Label each cost line. Combining them into one rate makes later reconciliation difficult and can distort product-level decisions.
Review the forecast after each data submission and when PackUK publishes updated rates or a notice of liability. Preserve prior scenarios so the team can explain when the expected cost changed.
Prepare accurate EPR reports without rebuilding spreadsheets
Remedy EPR automates data imports and calculations, detects compliance errors and keeps evidence ready for review.
Fee information should be checked against the current PackUK fee publication before budgeting or submission.