Key Takeaways

Data is submitted through DEFRA’s Report Packaging Data (RPD) service — an online portal that accepts CSV file uploads.
Prepare your data file carefully before uploading — validation errors are common and can delay your submission.
The most common errors are incorrect material codes, missing fields, and tonnage format issues — check these before uploading.
Large producers must submit every six months; small producers submit annually.
Keep a copy of your submitted data and the submission confirmation for your records.

What Is the RPD Portal?

The Report Packaging Data (RPD) service is DEFRA’s official online portal for submitting packaging EPR data. All obligated producers must submit their packaging data through this service, either directly or through their compliance scheme.

The portal accepts data in CSV (comma-separated values) format, which can be prepared in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet application.

For background on what data you need, see how to report packaging data to DEFRA.

Before You Start

Gather Your Information

Before preparing your data file, ensure you have:

Your RPD account credentials — registered email and password
Your organisation’s registration number
Your packaging register — complete list of packaging components with materials and weights
Sales/dispatch data for the reporting period
Nation data (large producers only) — see how to calculate nation data

Check Submission Deadlines

Producer Size	Reporting Period	Deadline
Small	Full year (Jan-Dec)	April
Large	H1 (Jan-Jun)	October
Large	H2 (Jul-Dec)	April

Check the exact dates in our EPR compliance deadlines guide.

Preparing Your Data File

CSV Format Requirements

Your CSV file must include specific columns in the correct order. For the complete format specification, see the DEFRA RPD CSV format guide.

Key Data Fields

Field	Description	Example
Organisation ID	Your registration number	ORG-12345
Subsidiary ID	If applicable	SUB-001
Submission period	Reporting period	2025-H1
Packaging type	Primary/Secondary/Transit	Primary
Packaging class	Class of packaging activity	Manufacturer
Material type	Material code	Plastic
Material sub-type	Specific material	PET
From nation	Where packaging originates	England
To nation	Where packaging ends up	Scotland
Quantity (kg)	Weight in kilograms	5000

Data Preparation Checklist

Before creating your CSV:

All packaging components are listed
Material types use the correct DEFRA codes
Weights are in kilograms (not grams or tonnes)
Packaging categories (primary/secondary/transit) are correctly assigned
Activity types are correctly identified
Nation data adds up to 100% (large producers)
No blank required fields
Numbers use the correct format (no thousands separators)

Uploading to the RPD Portal

Step 1: Log In

Access the RPD portal through DEFRA’s website. Use your registered email and password.

Step 2: Select Submission Type

Choose the correct reporting period and submission type:

New submission
Amendment to a previous submission

Step 3: Upload Your CSV

Select your prepared CSV file and upload it. The portal will begin validation immediately.

Step 4: Review Validation Results

The portal checks your data for:

Format errors — wrong column order, incorrect data types
Missing fields — required fields that are blank
Invalid codes — material types or activity codes that do not match DEFRA’s list
Logical errors — tonnage figures that seem implausible

Step 5: Fix Any Errors

If validation returns errors:

Download the error report
Fix the identified issues in your CSV
Re-upload the corrected file

Step 6: Confirm Submission

Once validation passes:

Review the data summary on screen
Confirm the submission
Download or screenshot the confirmation for your records

Handling Validation Errors

Common Error: Invalid Material Code

Problem: You used a material name that does not match DEFRA’s list. Fix: Check the allowed material codes. Common mistakes:

“Cardboard” instead of “PaperCard”
“Plastic” without specifying the sub-type
Misspelled material names

Common Error: Incorrect Weight Format

Problem: Weights in the wrong format. Fix: Use kilograms as a number without units or thousands separators. For example: 5000 not 5,000 or 5000 kg.

Common Error: Missing Nation Data

Problem: Large producers missing nation allocation data. Fix: Include nation data rows for each packaging line. Percentages must total 100%.

Common Error: Duplicate Entries

Problem: The same packaging component appears twice. Fix: Review your data for duplicates and merge or remove them.

Common Error: Inconsistent Dates

Problem: Data rows reference dates outside the submission period. Fix: Ensure all data relates to the correct reporting period.

After Submission

Confirmation

Save your submission confirmation (reference number and timestamp)
Download the submitted data for your records
Note the expected invoice date from PackUK

Amendments

If you discover errors after submission:

You can submit an amendment through the RPD portal
Amendments should be submitted as soon as possible
Document the reason for the amendment

Record Keeping

Retain for at least 7 years:

The submitted CSV file
Submission confirmation
Supporting evidence (packaging register, weight records, sales data)
Any amendment records

Getting Help

If you encounter technical issues with the RPD portal:

Contact the DEFRA helpdesk
Your compliance scheme can submit on your behalf
Check the DEFRA guidance documents for CSV format updates

Getting Started

Gather your packaging data using your packaging register
Prepare your CSV following the required format
Validate locally before uploading (check codes, formats, totals)
Upload and fix any validation errors
Confirm and save your submission

Check the EPR compliance checklist and use the EPR fee calculator to estimate your fees before your invoice arrives. Visit our pricing page for tools to simplify data preparation.

How to Submit RPD Data: Step-by-Step Guide

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