The UK Environment Agency has issued clear guidance on how businesses in England can handle the packaging of recalled products that may contain asbestos.
The guidance, called Regulatory Position Statement 367 (RPS 367), explains when companies can temporarily store and open packaging without needing a full environmental permit.
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The update was published on 27 February 2026 and applies only in England.
What the new packaging guidance allows
When a product is officially recalled in the UK because it may contain asbestos, it often needs to be returned through the supply chain. This can involve storing the goods in a warehouse and opening outer packaging to check or separate items before sending them for safe disposal.
Under RPS 367, the Environment Agency says it will not normally take enforcement action if businesses temporarily store and de-package these recalled goods without an environmental permit, provided strict conditions are met.
These conditions include:
- The product must be listed on the official UK product safety recall list for asbestos-related recalls.
- The business must be the manufacturer, distributor or retailer involved in the recall.
- Any asbestos-containing material must remain sealed in its original inner packaging.
- The goods must not be stored for more than three months.
- No processing or treatment of the asbestos material is allowed at the site.
In simple terms, companies can open outer packaging to manage the recall process, but they cannot interfere with sealed asbestos-containing materials inside.
What still requires a permit
The guidance does not remove the need for an environmental permit in general. It only covers the specific situation of short-term storage and limited de-packaging during a product recall.
If a business:
- stores the products for longer than three months,
- removes asbestos material from sealed packaging, or
- carries out any treatment or processing activity,
then normal environmental permitting rules apply.
The Environment Agency makes clear that this position only applies if all stated conditions are followed.
Why this matters for packaging and logistics
Product recalls involving asbestos can create practical challenges for packaging and logistics teams. Goods must be collected, stored safely, and sent for disposal without creating further risk.
This guidance gives businesses a defined, time-limited way to handle packaging during an asbestos recall without immediately applying for a waste permit. It supports reverse logistics operations while maintaining controls to protect workers, the public and the environment.
The rules apply only in England. Businesses operating elsewhere in the UK must follow the requirements of their relevant environmental regulator.
