RAM 2027
What is RAM 2027?
The Recyclability Assessment Methodology in plain English: who must use it, what it assesses and how green, amber and red are decided.
The short version
RAM is the methodology large UK producers must use to rate the recyclability of the household packaging they supply. RAM 2027 is the version that applies to packaging supplied between 1 January and 31 December 2027; RAM version 1.1 applies to 2026 supply. The rating feeds fee modulation under packaging EPR.
What gets assessed
Each item of packaging is assessed either as a whole (integrated components that cannot be separated, rated by the predominant material by weight) or as separate components (for example a plastic blister inside a cardboard multipack). Undersized parts that can be reattached are treated as part of the main item.
The stages
- Automatic red criteria such as integrated electricals, restricted substances or non-compliant inks.
- Collection: is the material collected at kerbside by enough UK local authorities?
- Sortation: will it be captured by sorting equipment (size, labels, carbon black)?
- Reprocessing: will it contaminate or survive the recycling process?
- Application: can the recyclate be used in new products?
Green at every stage is green. Any amber without red is amber. Any red is red. If there is no evidence to support amber or green, the item is red.
Where the facts come from
Most RAM facts belong to your packaging suppliers: polymer, density, coatings, adhesives, colourants and dimensions. The practical work of RAM is collecting those facts with evidence and keeping them current as specifications change.
What to do next
Take one product, list every part of it, and try to answer the stage questions above. Whatever you cannot answer is your real backlog. The readiness checker walks a single pack through the BeautyPack encoding of the published RAM 2027 guidance and names the facts you are missing.
Published 9 September 2026. This article is general information, not legal or compliance advice.