Packaging compliance insights - PPWR, EPR declarations, recyclability assessment, sorting labels, supplier data and Digital Product Passport.https://merchantpackaging.co.uken-gbhttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/plastic-packaging-tax-2027https://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/plastic-packaging-tax-2027Two Plastic Packaging Tax changes take effect on 1 April 2027, and they matter more than next year's rate. Pre-consumer recycled plastic stops counting towards the 30% exemption, and chemically recycled plastic can count through a certified mass balance approach. What changes, which components it affects and how to get your data ready.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/supplier-vendor-data-requestshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/supplier-vendor-data-requestsMost packaging data collection fails because nobody can say who still owes what. How to run supplier and vendor requests with a clear owner, a defined finish line, dates that mean something and a signed record at the end.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/prn-costs-budgetinghttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/prn-costs-budgetingPRN prices moved further in 2026 than most budgets allowed for. As finance teams set next year's numbers, how the obligation is worked out, what the regulators' October position changes, and how to budget for PRNs per component and SKU.Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/mcp-unstructured-packaging-datahttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/mcp-unstructured-packaging-dataMost packaging data arrives as spec sheets, emails and supplier spreadsheets, not as clean records. How the Model Context Protocol lets an AI assistant read it and enter it through the same rules as everything else.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/uk-epr-year-two-modulated-feeshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/uk-epr-year-two-modulated-feesThe first UK EPR scheme year charged base rates. From year two, the red, amber or green rating on each component changes what you pay. What that means for the invoice, and what to check now.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/pfas-restrictions-food-contact-packaginghttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/pfas-restrictions-food-contact-packagingThe PPWR PFAS limits for food-contact packaging applied from 12 August 2026. The thresholds, the fluorine screening step, and the supplier evidence you need.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/ppwr-authorised-representativehttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/ppwr-authorised-representativePPWR Article 45 applies from 12 August 2026. Who needs an EPR authorised representative, in which countries, and why the proposed suspension does not help.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/ppwr-compliance-august-2026https://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/ppwr-compliance-august-2026PPWR started applying on 12 August 2026. What became enforceable on the day, and what is still ahead.Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/digital-product-passport-packaginghttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/digital-product-passport-packagingThe DPP is an Ecodesign obligation, not a PPWR one, and packaging is not in scope of it. What is coming for packaging is the PPWR data carrier - and the same data answers both.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/eu-sorting-labels-article-12https://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/eu-sorting-labels-article-12How PPWR Article 12 sorting labels work, why they are not the same as material codes, and how to derive them automatically.Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/deposit-return-scheme-data-preparationhttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/deposit-return-scheme-data-preparationWhat data DRS will require and what to capture now - container type, material, volume, and unit counts at SKU level.Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/supplier-packaging-data-collectionhttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/supplier-packaging-data-collectionWhy your compliance data is only as good as what your suppliers provide, and how to fix the intake process.Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/epr-fee-modulation-packaging-costshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/epr-fee-modulation-packaging-costsEPR fees are modulated by recyclability in the UK, Germany, and France. A single component attracts different fees in every market.Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/packaging-recyclability-multiple-standardshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/packaging-recyclability-multiple-standardsWhy a single recyclability assessment is not enough when you sell into multiple markets.Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/multi-jurisdiction-epr-declarationshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/multi-jurisdiction-epr-declarationsThe practical challenge of multi-jurisdiction EPR, and how to solve it with a single data set.Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/plastic-packaging-tax-data-requirementshttps://merchantpackaging.co.uk/blog/plastic-packaging-tax-data-requirementsA practical guide to the data requirements for PPT - component-level recycled content, the null vs zero distinction, and what HMRC expects.Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT