Deposit and Return Scheme: Business and regulatory and impact assessment

The Scottish Government has introduced amendments to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) through the Deposit Return Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 and the Deposit Return Scheme (Scotland) Designation of Scheme Administrator Order 2025. These changes aim to align Scotland's DRS with the UK-wide scheme set to launch in October 2027.

The Scottish Government has published a full business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) of the impact of a DRS for single-use polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and steel and aluminium cans. It takes into account previous policy development in Scotland, and plans for a DRS in other parts of the UK.

Once fully operational, the DRS will be reviewed for effectiveness, costs and benefits. Performance against annual return rate targets will be monitored. SEPA will be responsible for approving the SA operational plan, which will detail how the SA intends to fulfil the functions conferred on it. Scottish Ministers must carry out a review of the DRS Regulations by October 2032 and provide a report of the review to the Scottish Parliament.

You can read the full BRIA at: Supporting documents - Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended): business and regulatory impact assessment - gov.scot