Supply Chain Responsibility
The shared obligation across the packaging supply chain where different actors bear responsibility for different packaging types based on their role as brand owner, packer, importer, or seller.
Supply chain responsibility describes how pEPR allocates packaging obligations across different businesses in the supply chain based on their activity type.
Responsibility allocation:
- Brand owners — responsible for primary packaging bearing their brand
- Packers/fillers — responsible for packaging they supply (not the brand owner's)
- Importers — responsible for all packaging on imported goods
- Sellers — responsible for service and shipment packaging
- Distributors — responsible for transit packaging they add
The system is designed so each piece of packaging is reported by exactly one actor in the chain, preventing gaps or double-counting. Clear contractual agreements between supply chain partners are essential to define who reports what. Data sharing between partners (e.g., importers providing packaging data from overseas suppliers) is often necessary. Compliance teams should map their full supply chain to identify all reporting responsibilities.
Related Terms
Brand Owner
A producer category under EPR referring to the business whose brand appears on p...
Packer/Filler
A producer that physically places goods into packaging. Under EPR, packers and f...
Importer
A business that brings packaged goods or empty packaging into the UK from abroad...
Seller
A business that sells goods directly to the end consumer. Under EPR, sellers are...
Activity Type
The classification of a producer's role in the packaging supply chain, such as b...
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