INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2023 - Issue 341 First proposed by the Government in the Resources and Waste Strategy for England in 2019, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) hands the full cost of managing household waste to producers. Not to be confused with the Plastic Packaging Tax which came into effect on April 1st, 2022, the idea of EPR is to create a circular economy in which packaging and increased quantities of recyclable packaging are reproduced rather than thrown away. There has been a lengthy consultation process over the past four years with the Government making decisions based on these responses. There have also been delays caused by the pandemic and political unrest. The rules vary depending on the size of the business, and the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has offered some helpful information on how this new reform could affect print and packaging businesses. As the BPIF explains, a business will be obligated under EPR if ALL of the following apply: • It has a UK turnover of more than £1m • It has a physical presence in the UK • It handles more than 25 tonnes of packaging and or packaging materials According to the Government, a business is classed as a small organisation if it has a turnover of between £1m and £2m and it handles up to 50 tonnes of packaging and/or packaging materials. A large organisation is classed as one that has an annual turnover of more than £2m and handles over 50 tonnes of packaging or packaged goods. The main difference here is that whilst small organisations were required to start recording data from January 1st, 2023, they don’t need to create an account or register until January 2024. They also don’t need to pay any fees until 2024. Data will need to be reported between January 1st and April 1st, 2024. Large organisations were also required to begin recording data from January 1st, 2023, but they will need to create an account and register and pay a fee to the environmental regulator from July 2023. Data will need to be reported every six months starting from January to June 2023 which will need to be reported between July 2023 and October 1st, 2023, and also for the period July to December 2023 which will need to be reported between January 1st and April 1st, 2024. At the time of writing, the exact information on what the fees will be is yet to be announced by the Government. What is EPR and how could it affect you? There has been confusion and concern over what is required by the new Extended Producer Responsibility, and when Print and signage installation management software company, Vism, has launched its new Signage & Print Installer Directory. The launch follows a successful trial in 2022 which Dan Tyler, founder of Vism, described as “heavily oversubscribed” with over 500 companies requesting access during this period. Designed for wide-format printers and signage manufacturers, the directory helps companies to find freelance installers. Signage and Print Installer Directory Print Monthly's Print7 gets a refresh Formerly known as Print7News, Print7 has launched to update the look and feel of the well-known video news series. After over ten years of updating the print industry on the biggest stories impacting businesses and individuals in print and its associated industries, the video platform has been revamped to meet the expectations of today’s news coverage. The new video format will see Print7 focus on a different voice and topic within the industry week to week, coinciding with Print Monthly’s regular trips and news coverage. The premiere video focuses on Print Monthly’s recent visit to Solopress in Southend-on-Sea. The Printing Charity has launched the 2023 version of its popular Rising Star Awards, an event that highlights young people in print and its associated industries. The awards are open for people aged 18 to 30 from the print, packaging, paper, graphics, and publishing industries and gives winners up to £1,500 towards training and development. Previous winners have used award funding to develop skills in management training, negotiation, and project management, as well as to fund professional qualifications and Chartered Institute training. Applications are open via the Charity’s website until April 2nd. Entry for Rising Star Awards now open PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine By Carys Evans
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