Producer responsibility for packaging in place since 1997. This has helped to drive recycling of packaging waste from 25%, 20 years ago to 64.7% in 2016. Over this period we have met all our UK and EU packaging waste recycling targets, and the cost of compliance to business has been kept low when compared to other EU Member States. However, like any system that is over 20 years old, it is in need of reform. Stakeholders have expressed concerns over the transparency of the system including how income from the sale of evidence has supported packaging waste recycling; that local authorities receive limited direct financial support for managing packaging waste; and that there is not a level playing field for domestic reprocessing.  Consultation closes 13th May.    https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/consultation-on-reforming-the-uk-packaging-produce/

DEFRA is consulting on various proposals for a new business energy efficiency scheme focused on small and medium sized enterprises.  Consultation closes 8th May.   https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/energy-efficiency-scheme-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses-call-for-evidence

DEFRA is also consulting on a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS) Balancing System to implement requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. Consultation closes 15th April. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/approvalofpbsproposal/

HMRC is consulting on draft legislation that amends the scope of the reduced rate for energy-saving materials to ensure consistency with EU law.  Consultation closes 3rd May.  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-legislation-vat-reduced-rate-energy-saving-materials-order-2019

HSE is consulting on amendments to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (2004/37/EC) which introduces or revises occupational exposure limit values for a number of carcinogens.  The consultation sets out the HSE’s proposals for establishing WELs for the substances contained in the amendment to the Directive, subject to the ongoing negotiations on our relationship with the EU. The consultation proposes to do this by revising the HSE publication “EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits”. Consultation closes 7th June. https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/carcinogens-mutagens-revision-of-limit-values/