Compare Your Options
Three ways to handle packaging EPR compliance. Only one that makes sense for SMEs. Whether you work in fashion, beauty, food & drink, or e-commerce — see how our platform stacks up against spreadsheets and expensive consultants.
Feature Comparison
Every approach has trade-offs. Here is an honest comparison of how to meet your EPR obligations.
Spreadsheets
DIY with Excel/Google Sheets
EPR Compliance Platform
Purpose-built software
Consultants
Hire an external advisor
| Spreadsheets DIY with Excel |
Recommended
EPR Compliance Purpose-built platform | Consultants External advisor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | £0 (your time) | From £29/mo | £150-£800/mo |
| Time to Complete | 10-20 hours | Under 1 hour | 2-4 weeks |
| Error Rate | High | Near zero | Low |
| DEFRA RPD Format | |||
| Automatic Calculations | |||
| Deadline Tracking | |||
| Multi-material Support | |||
| Audit Trail | |||
| Scalability | |||
| Always Available (24/7) | |||
| Regulatory Updates | |||
| Data Security |
How Much Could You Save?
Real numbers for a typical SME with 10 packaging types reporting twice per year to the RPD portal.
Spreadsheets
The "free" option
True Annual Cost
£2,000+
in staff time (40+ hours at £50/hr)
EPR Compliance
Purpose-built platform
True Annual Cost
£348
all inclusive, cancel anytime
Consultant
External expert
True Annual Cost
£5,000+
plus your time coordinating
Save up to £4,650 per year
Compared to hiring a consultant, the EPR Compliance Starter plan saves a typical SME over £4,600 per year — while giving you 24/7 access, instant DEFRA-formatted reports, and automatic deadline tracking. That is money back into your business.
Common Questions
Answers to the most common questions about choosing an EPR compliance approach.
Can I use spreadsheets for EPR compliance?
Technically yes, but spreadsheets do not generate DEFRA RPD-compatible CSV files, lack automatic calculations for fee estimates, and have no built-in deadline tracking. Most businesses find spreadsheets take 10-20 hours per report, with a high risk of formatting errors that can lead to rejected submissions.
How much do EPR compliance consultants charge?
Compliance consultants typically charge between £2,000 and £10,000 or more per year, depending on the complexity of your packaging portfolio. This cost recurs annually and increases as your business grows. By comparison, the EPR Compliance platform starts at just £29 per month with no hidden fees.
What makes a compliance platform better than doing it manually?
A purpose-built platform automates the time-consuming parts of EPR compliance: data entry validation, automatic fee calculations by material type, DEFRA RPD-formatted report generation, and deadline reminders. This reduces your time from 10-20 hours to under 1 hour per report, with near-zero error rates.
Will the platform generate reports DEFRA will accept?
Yes. The EPR Compliance platform generates CSV reports formatted exactly as DEFRA's Report Packaging Data (RPD) system expects — with the correct column headers, data types, material codes, and structure. You can export and upload directly without any reformatting.
Can I switch from a consultant to the platform mid-year?
Absolutely. You can import your existing packaging data into the platform at any time. Many businesses switch from consultants between reporting periods to avoid disruption. Our support team can help you migrate your data if needed.
Ready to simplify your EPR compliance?
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