Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) administrator, Exchange for Change, has opened the first phase of registration for retailer return points ahead of the scheme launching in October 2027.
Businesses are invited to register as soon as possible through the new Exchange For Change portal. At this stage businesses only need to provide basic information including their company details, primary contact information, trading name and relevant business and mailing addresses.
Businesses can save their progress and return to complete their registration if required. Once submitted, businesses will receive a registration reference number on screen and by email.
Under the DRS regulations, retailers in urban areas with a retail space under 100m² are automatically exempt from operating a return point and therefore do not need to register unless they intend to offer a return point.
Earlier this year Exchange For Change announced that urban retailers between 100m² and 199m² of sales area and rural retailers under 200m² of sales area would be able to apply for an exemption from offering a return point. These retailers must still complete the registration process, and further details about how to apply for an exemption will be published in the coming months.
To help businesses understand whether they need to register, Exchange For Change has also created supporting documentation.
Phase 2 registration will open in January 2027, when businesses will be asked to provide further information relevant to their role in the scheme.
Exchange for Change’s Jonathan Kemp will bring retailers up to speed on the Deposit Return Scheme at SLR’s Success with DRS event on 28 October 2026 at 200 SVS, Glasgow
