UK businesses now have real steps to take for the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). On 29 September 2026, Exchange for Change opened the first registration phase for drinks producers and retailer return points.
The scheme launches on 1 October 2027 across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will change how businesses handle drinks packaging, deposits and returns.
New guidance from 30 September also explains what to do with packaging stock you already hold. Together, these updates give manufacturers and retailers a clearer path to launch day.
UK Deposit Return Scheme Registration Is Now Open
Exchange for Change, the official scheme administrator, has started Phase 1 registration. If your business has to register, you can now submit your company details, contact information, trading names and business addresses.
The process covers drinks producers and returns point operators. Some businesses will need to register in both roles.
Phase 2 opens in January 2027. At that point, you’ll need to give more detail about what your business does. The administrator is urging eligible businesses to start registering as soon as they can.
What Are the New Packaging Obligations?
Under the scheme, customers pay a refundable 20p deposit on eligible drinks containers. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, that covers single-use PET plastic bottles and aluminium or steel cans from 150ml to 3 litres. Customers get their deposit back when they return empty containers to approved collection points. Wales has separate arrangements for glass packaging.
If you produce drinks, you’ll need to:
- Show the required deposit logo on eligible containers
- Use barcodes registered with Exchange for Change
- Register your products before the October 2027 launch
- Report the eligible containers you place on the market
These rules help identify which products the scheme covers.
What Are the Packaging Transition Rules?
Exchange for Change published more guidance on 30 September 2026. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, drinks filled before 1 October 2027 can still be sold after launch without DRS labels or deposits.
The administrator encourages businesses to sell existing stock by April 2028. That is not a legal deadline, though.
Unfilled packaging that doesn’t meet DRS rules will generally need updating before you use it. Officials are still discussing possible exceptions for earlier orders. Separate guidance for Wales is still to come.
How Will the Scheme Affect Business Costs?
Exchange for Change has confirmed 0p producer fees for the first 15 months, from October 2027 to December 2028. The 20p customer deposit is separate from these fees. Retailers that run return points will also get handling fees for eligible returned containers.
Even so, deposits, refunds and packaging costs will touch your accounts and cash flow, so it’s worth working out how. Deposits can also raise questions about how they’re recorded on your VAT return, so it’s worth checking the treatment early.
What Should UK Businesses Do Now?
If you’re a producer or retailer, check your registration duties, review your packaging designs and get your financial systems ready. Retailers should also confirm whether they must run a return point or qualify for an exemption.
Skip this prep and you risk packaging that doesn’t comply, late registration or operational headaches at launch. Planning early cuts disruption and saves you from last-minute changes, which matters even more for small and medium-sized businesses with tighter margins.
How Can Lanop Help Businesses Prepare?
The DRS brings new financial and reporting tasks alongside the packaging rules. Lanop can help you review your bookkeeping, plan your cash flow and work out the financial impact of these changes as part of wider tax planning.
The October 2027 launch is closer than it looks, so it’s wise to start now. Contact Lanop for accounting and business advisory support as you plan for the new requirements.
