The Environmental Audit Committee requests review due to concerns over a lack of transparency and the potential for fraud.
Under scrutiny will be whether the PRN system is fundamentally performing as it was intended to, including the measures in place to prevent fraud and non-compliance.
Specifically there are concerns over how the money raised through the PRN system is spent, the over-reliance on exporting waste with little traceability of how it is actually processed, and the fact that there are no incentives for producers to use easily recyclable packaging materials over those that are known to be problematic.
Many flaws in the system
Robbie Staniforth, policy manager at Ecosurety commented “It is heartening to see the Environmental Audit Committee continuing in its quest to find accurate information about the PRN system. We are pleased that our continuous championing of greater transparency is finally having an effect at the highest level via the pending involvement of the National Audit Office."
"Over the past three years we have lived and breathed the reformation of the PRN system, and we would be prepared to anonymously share members’ top frustrations and experiences of the system as it stands, in order to create a system better suited to the country’s recycling needs. The quicker we can contribute members’ ideas to this debate, and help with understanding of core issues, the quicker we feel those issues will dissolve."
“We believe the NAO will find many flaws in the system and we welcome further Parliamentary scrutiny to inform decisions about PRN reform due in the Resources and Waste Strategy later this year.”
To discuss how packaging compliance impacts your organisation, please contact us.

Ben Luger
Marketing projects specialist
Ben joined the team at the beginning of 2015 and helps drive marketing communications and projects for Ecosurety, including project managing the launch of the Ecosurety Exploration Fund and website content development.

Useful links
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