Wedoany.com Report-Dec.2, The UK's Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, passed in July 2025, will fully take effect on 1 January 2026. The new legislation establishes clear requirements for how goods are measured, packaged, and labelled when sold to consumers.

Products must clearly show correct weights, volumes, or counts, and packaging must meet legal size standards.

From that date, every packaged product must display accurate weight, volume, or unit count. Labels must be clear, legible, and precisely reflect the actual contents. Inaccurate declarations or misleading pack sizes may result in fines or other enforcement measures.

The rules apply across the entirepackaging supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, and retailers. Companies are required to review filling processes, measurement equipment, and labelling systems to ensure full compliance. Robust documentation and quality controls will be essential to demonstrate accuracy during inspections.

The Act operates alongside the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which has required obligated producers since January 2025 to report packaging data and pay fees based on material type and recyclability. Together, these regulations increase transparency and encourage more sustainable packaging design.

Businesses have until the end of 2025 to complete necessary adjustments. Recommended actions include auditing current pack sizes and labelling, calibrating filling equipment, and updating record-keeping systems. For companies subject to EPR, accurate tracking of packaging weight, material composition, and volume placed on the market remains critical.

The legislation also grants the Secretary of State authority to introduce additional rules in the future, potentially covering specific pack formats, minimum or maximum sizes, or enhanced labelling standards.

These combined measures aim to protect consumers through reliable quantity information while promoting greater accountability and environmental responsibility throughout the packaging sector. Early preparation will enable companies to meet the new requirements smoothly and avoid disruption when enforcement begins on 1 January 2026.