Reprocessors and other companies submitting their returns under the UK Packaging Waste Regulations to the National Packaging Waste electronic database (NPWD) are becoming more confident with it, reports the Packaging Federation, which helped set it up.
By the end of October, the Federation reports, the percentage of returns submitted by industry online had increased to 83% from the previous quarter figure of 57%; this was accompanied by a marked decrease in user queries to the helpdesk, which are logged and monitored to analyse where problems lie for corrective action.
A user research study was undertaken by software company Solution 7 following the second quarter returns for this year to assess more accurately how user-friendly the system was and which aspects were deterring non-users. Foremost among the concerns was the need for companies to “duplicate effort” by also sending signed, printed forms to the Environment Agencies. While this is a legal requirement currently, the hope is to make the returns by electronic means only eventually.
Phil Conran of compliance scheme Biffpack, and chairman of the Government's Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP) Data Task Force (which is leading the project), says: “The third quarter results have shown a real step change in the system's use which, in turn, has enabled NPWD to really demonstrate the benefits it offers to all stakeholders. As well as reducing their administrative burden, it has enabled quarterly data to be published a number of weeks earlier than under the old system, it has ensured those who do not submit data can be quickly identify and suspended and it has allowed the Agency to rapidly identify and correct data submission errors. Our aim now is get all accredited reprocessors and exporters to understand the benefits it provides to them and the market and to achieve 100% usage for Quarter 4 submissions.”
The current PRN/PERN system will not operate after this year and a new system will replace it. The new e-PRN system will be introduced at the end of January 2006 and, to help those affected by the changes to understand how the new system will work, a series of workshops are planned for January around the UK. The dates and venues for these are being finalised, but are likely to be Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and London.
A pilot workshop is to be held on Monday November 27 at The Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX4 4GA (www.oxfordsp.com). Entry will be free, but places are strictly limited. For full details and to apply for a place visit: www.npwd.org.uk
