Plastic and paper bag reporting in England – are you prepared?

The packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation passed in 2024 requires organisations to report the quantity of plastic and paper bags they supply in England, on an annual basis. 

The regulations state the first deadline for this will be 1 April 2026, for all bags supplied throughout 2025. This requirement will continue annually in the same manner. With just over a year to go before the first reporting deadline, we strongly advise producers to ensure they are collecting data relating to the plastic and paper bags they supply in 2025. 

Who does this obligation apply to? 

The obligation applies to both large and small producers under EPR, who sell or supply any single-use bags. Obligated single-use bags are: 

• Within the meaning of the Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015  
• Made wholly or partly of plastic “which are supplied for use as packaging for food items including bread, fruit or vegetables” 
• Paper bags “of any thickness, which have handles, and which are not sealed” 

Get prepared now

In addition to submitting the main EPR data reports and, for many businesses, the separate nation of sale data requirement, this constitutes an additional data reporting obligation. Organisations should be aware of this, and get prepared as soon as possible.  

There will not be additional EPR costs attributable to bags placed on the market, it is only a reporting obligation. We do not have detailed guidance on this data reporting requirement yet, but we will let our members know as soon as further information is given.  

If you have any questions on the impact of this requirement, please contact your account manager directly or use our contact form.