Table of Contents
- Why a Compliance Calendar Matters
- Annual Compliance Timeline
- Small Producer Calendar
- Large Producer Calendar
- Ongoing Monthly Tasks
- Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Missing EPR deadlines can result in penalties of up to £250,000 — a compliance calendar is essential.
- Large producers have more frequent deadlines (six-monthly reporting) than small producers (annual reporting).
- Data collection should be ongoing, not a last-minute exercise before submission deadlines.
- Build in 4-6 weeks buffer before each deadline for data preparation, review, and submission.
- Annual packaging audits and fee reviews should be scheduled proactively, not reactively.
Why a Compliance Calendar Matters
EPR compliance involves multiple deadlines throughout the year for registration renewal, data submission, fee payment, and audit preparation. Missing any of these can trigger enforcement action and financial penalties.
A proactive compliance calendar ensures nothing is missed and spreads the workload across the year rather than creating crunch periods.
For deadline details, see EPR compliance deadlines 2025-2026.
Annual Compliance Timeline
January
- New compliance year begins
- Review previous year’s packaging data for completeness
- Start collecting Q4 data for annual/H2 submission
- Review any packaging changes from the previous year
February
- Finalise previous year’s data for annual submission (small producers)
- Compile H2 data for six-monthly submission (large producers)
- Conduct spot-checks on packaging weight data
- Review nation data calculations
March
- Prepare submission files in CSV format
- Validate data before uploading
- Begin packaging weight re-audit if annual
- Review compliance scheme membership (if switching, check notice periods)
April
- SUBMISSION DEADLINE — Annual data (small producers) and H2 data (large producers)
- Submit through DEFRA’s RPD portal
- Save submission confirmation
- Begin fee payment planning
May-June
- Receive EPR invoices from PackUK
- Review invoices against submitted data
- Dispute any errors promptly
- Pay EPR fees by the due date
- Plan packaging optimisation projects for the year
July
- H1 data collection complete (large producers)
- Begin compiling H1 submission
- Review any mid-year packaging changes
- Update packaging register
August-September
- Prepare H1 submission (large producers)
- Validate H1 data
- Review compliance with mandatory labelling requirements (from 2027)
- Schedule annual packaging audit for October-November
October
- H1 SUBMISSION DEADLINE (large producers)
- Submit H1 data through RPD portal
- Begin planning next year’s compliance activities
- Review compliance scheme contract renewal dates
November
- Conduct annual packaging audit — verify weights, materials, classifications
- Review new products launched during the year
- Update packaging register with any changes
- Assess EPR cost reduction opportunities
December
- Year-end review — finalise any outstanding data issues
- Budget for next year’s EPR fees
- Review fee rate announcements from PackUK
- Plan for any regulatory changes taking effect in the new year
Small Producer Calendar
Small producers have simpler obligations with a single annual deadline:
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | Collect and review previous year’s data |
| March | Prepare submission file |
| April | Submit annual data |
| May-June | Receive and pay invoice |
| July-Nov | Ongoing data collection; annual audit |
| December | Year-end review and budgeting |
Large Producer Calendar
Large producers have two submission periods plus additional nation data requirements:
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | Compile H2 data with nation splits |
| March | Validate H2 data and prepare submission |
| April | Submit H2 data |
| May-June | Receive and pay H2 invoice |
| July-Aug | Compile H1 data with nation splits |
| September | Validate H1 data and prepare submission |
| October | Submit H1 data |
| Nov-Dec | Receive and pay H1 invoice; annual audit |
Ongoing Monthly Tasks
Regardless of producer size, these tasks should happen monthly:
Data Collection
- Record any new products launched and their packaging specifications
- Track packaging changes on existing products
- Update sales/dispatch volumes
- Monitor import volumes for nation data
Quality Checks
- Verify that packaging procurement data aligns with reported data
- Check for new packaging suppliers requiring specification data
- Review any packaging complaints or returns
Compliance Monitoring
- Monitor DEFRA/PackUK announcements for regulatory changes
- Check for updates to fee rates or reporting requirements
- Track sector-specific guidance relevant to your business
Setting Up Calendar Reminders
Set the following reminders:
| Weeks Before Deadline | Reminder |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Begin data compilation |
| 6 weeks | Complete data gathering; start validation |
| 4 weeks | Prepare submission file; internal review |
| 2 weeks | Final validation; submit |
| Deadline | Confirm submission was accepted |
| 2 weeks after | Check for any validation queries |
Getting Started
- Determine your producer size (small or large) to identify your deadlines
- Set calendar reminders for all key dates
- Assign responsibilities for each task — see how to train staff on EPR
- Build data collection into monthly routines
- Review annually and update the calendar for regulatory changes
Use the EPR compliance checklist and visit our pricing page for tools to automate data collection.