Small or large producer?
How turnover and packaging tonnage decide whether you are a small or large producer, and why it matters for fees.
If you are obligated, you are either a small or a large producer. GOV.UK sets this out in a simple grid:
| Packaging supplied/imported (previous year) | Turnover £1m or less | £1m to £2m | More than £2m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 25 tonnes | No obligation | No obligation | No obligation |
| 25 to 50 tonnes | No obligation | Small producer | Small producer |
| More than 50 tonnes | No obligation | Small producer | Large producer |
So a business is a large producer only if it has both more than £2 million turnover and more than 50 tonnes of packaging. The term 'small producer' has nothing to do with headcount.
What each type must do (summary)
| Small producer | Large producer | |
|---|---|---|
| Register with regulator | Yes, each year (pay fee by 1 April) | Yes, each year (pay fees by 1 October) |
| Report packaging data | Once a year | Every 6 months |
| Recycling obligations (PRNs/PERNs) | No | Yes, plus certificate of compliance |
| Household packaging waste disposal fees to PackUK | No | Yes |
| Recyclability (RAM) assessment | No (per GOV.UK) | Yes |
| Keep records | 7 years | 7 years |
Sources
Checked 17 October 2026. We summarise official material in our own words. The originals take precedence.