EPR - Report Packaging Data (RPD) service launched

Despite the delay in implementing EPR, as of August 2023 companies are still obligated to collect packaging data for reporting to the appropriate regulator in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. 

Obligated large producers and compliance schemes are required to create an account on the new Report Packaging Data (RPD) service, so they can enrol and submit their packaging data.

The new RPD service opened to compliance scheme groups from Monday 14 August 2023 and was made available for large producers from Wednesday 16 August 2023.

Click here to learn more.

Plastic Packaging Tax data published
 
The Government has published the latest statistics relating to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), showing that £276 million was raised through the levy in the financial year 2022-23.
 
During this period, 39% of all plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK was declared as taxable under the PPT. Of the remaining 61%, 40% was exempt due to containing at least 30% recycled plastic, 21% was either exported, intended for import or converted, and less than 1% was exempt due to being used for the immediate packaging of human medicines.
 
For more information about the PPT data, click here.

Retail Institute

The Retail Institute, FIA’s Academic and Research Partner, has published the Summer edition of its Retail Review.
 
The latest issue of the magazine features articles on the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), copycat branding and supermarket approaches to the environmental mantra ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’.
 
Dr Jamie Marsden & Ezgi Oguz, from the University of Leeds, have written an update to their research on copycat branding in online channels. Their work investigated the differences in the packaging presentation between leader brands and copycat brands on online shopping platforms.

Click here to learn more.

FTA Europe Awards - May 30th 2024
 
FTA Europe has announced the dates for the fifth edition of its Diamond Awards.  
 
The 2024 FTA Europe Diamond Awards will be held on 30 May at the Drupa event in Düsseldorf, Germany. The ceremony will feature the best flexo products across 14 categories, including an international award and the prestigious ‘Best in Show’.
 
Any FTA Europe members that win a national flexographic printing award will be entered into the Diamond Awards to compete at the European level. 

Keep an eye on the FTA Europe website for more information.

The Printing Charity - Retirement Homes 
 
The Printing Charity’s affordable retirement living developments in Basildon and Bletchley are here for people who have worked in print, packaging, paper, publishing or the graphic arts during their career, or are a dependent of someone who has.
 
Its apartments are within purpose-built developments with easy access to local shops, other amenities and transport links. The developments enjoy large communal spaces and grounds, creating a welcoming, supportive independent living community where help is on hand if needed through a small on-site team and out-of-hours community alarm service. The charity also organises plenty of group activities, catering to a variety of hobbies and interests, to get involved with and make new friends.

Click here to learn more.