UK retailers will pass most of the costs from the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation onto consumers, says the British Retail Consortium. The EPR scheme requires producers to report packaging usage and pay associated rates. The BRC claims EPR will add 0.5% to food inflation, increasing financial and administrative burdens for retailers.

Retailers are making efforts to use more recyclable materials and reduce packaging volumes to mitigate EPR costs. The BRC survey shows 85% of retailers plan to increase sustainable packaging and 78% will decrease total packaging. The BRC calls for government clarity on consumer and environmental benefits and legal restrictions on EPR fund usage.

Andrew Opie of the BRC supports the polluter pays principle but warns EPR could burden consumers during a cost-of-living crisis. Without transparent and effective fund usage, EPR may not benefit customers or the environment. Retailers are committed to reducing packaging but demand tangible results from EPR implementation.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: UK retailers to pass on “majority” of EPR costs to shoppers