PackUK and the UK Packaging PRO have set out a revised approach to updating the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), giving the industry a more active role in shaping future changes.
The UK Packaging PRO will work with stakeholders throughout the packaging value chain to identify areas for improvement and prioritise proposed amendments, drawing on evidence and industry feedback.
PackUK will continue to oversee and publish the methodology, although further responsibilities are expected to pass to the PRO following RAM 2028.
The revised approach responds to feedback from producers and other stakeholders seeking a clearer timetable for changes, alongside more opportunity to assess their implications and prepare for implementation.
Jeremy Blake, Chief Executive Officer at PackUK, said: “This is a valuable opportunity for PackUK and the UK Packaging PRO to work together, combining our expertise and shared purpose to make meaningful improvements shaped by stakeholder feedback from across the packaging value chain.
“By introducing this dedicated route for producers to engage with and contribute to the RAM, we are giving industry a stronger voice in guiding future developments and ensuring a broad range of insight is reflected in how the methodology evolves.”
The UK Packaging PRO will be responsible for collecting, reviewing and ranking proposals from stakeholders under the revised process. Producers will have access to a formal route for submitting change requests, helping ensure practical industry experience and technical knowledge inform the methodology’s development.
For the 2028 update, PackUK and the PRO intend to concentrate on a more limited set of priority issues. These will include areas previously raised by producers, such as guidance relating to take-back schemes.
The aim is to make future revisions more focused and predictable, while retaining the flexibility to respond to new evidence and feedback from stakeholders as they emerge.
Karen Graley, Chief Operating Officer at UK Packaging PRO, added: “We know how important the RAM is to producers, and this process provides a real opportunity to bring industry expertise and practical experience into its future development.
“I’d encourage producers of all sizes to get involved. We want to hear what is working well, where improvements are needed and what the evidence tells us.”
Stakeholders wishing to put forward proposals for RAM 2028 must submit their supporting evidence to the UK Packaging PRO by 31 December 2026.
The PRO will review each submission to establish whether it provides sufficient grounds for a potential change. It may also approach submitters to request further evidence, clarify details or discuss proposals in greater depth.
Submissions that present a strong case for additional investigation will undergo further assessment, with the PRO using the findings to help formulate recommendations for PackUK.
