Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 29th October 2026 Issue no. 1232
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Trade bodies urge UK government to align packaging measures as costs rise
EDANA – the global Association which represents more than 250 companies in the nonwovens industry, is amongst the Industry Associations calling on the UK Government to address the cumulative impact of packaging taxes and regulations on businesses and consumers.
The signatories warn that the interaction between Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) is creating rising costs, administrative complexity and uncertainty across multiple sectors.
The letter highlights significant cost increases for some businesses, with one multinational reporting that its UK packaging-related costs are approximately twice those in comparable European countries, without a corresponding improvement in packaging recovery. Smaller businesses may also struggle to invest in more sustainable packaging alternatives due to increased regulatory costs.
These additional costs can be passed through the supply chain, potentially putting further pressure on consumer prices. While supporting the environmental objectives of packaging policy, the signatories call on the Government to take a more holistic approach, examining how the different measures interact, whether their cumulative financial and administrative burdens are proportionate to the environmental benefits achieved, and how their impact on prices can be better understood.
They also call for greater regulatory certainty and better alignment between the different regimes to support innovation, recyclability and packaging waste reduction.
The letter concludes by inviting the Government to work with industry to deliver environmental improvements while maintaining business competitiveness and protecting consumer choice and affordability.
pictured: Brieuc Lits, EDANA's public affairs director, who signed the letter on behalf of EDANA
Read the letter in full at:
29th October 2026