What does “Invalid Data” mean in RAM Assess?

What does “Invalid Data” mean in RAM Assess?

When uploading your packaging data into RAM Assess, you may see some items flagged as Invalid Data. This means the information provided does not match the expected format or has not followed the template’s built-in validation rules.

Most often, this happens when content has been copied and pasted into the template, overwriting the underlying validation rules.

Common causes of Invalid Data

  1. Incorrect data type
    1. Example: entering a number into a cell where text is expected, or vice versa.
  2. Unrecognised packaging components
    1. To comply with government guidance and to ensure efficiency in processing, we have restricted the list of accepted packaging components.
    2. This list is aligned with both:
      1. Government EPR guidance
      2. OPRL guidance (on recyclability and take-back options)
    3. If a component name is entered that does not appear on this approved list, it will be flagged as invalid.
  3. Unrecognised material types
    1. As with packaging components, material types are restricted to those defined in government guidance. Any values outside of this list will not be accepted.

How to avoid Invalid Data

  1. Check before you paste: Make sure the data you are pasting matches the expected format and values in the template. For example, confirm that numerical fields only contain numbers, and that material types and packaging component names match the approved lists.
  2. Use the drop-down options in the template as a reference to see which values are accepted.
  3. If you are preparing your data in a separate file, align your values with the template rules before copying across.
  4. Double-check that all entries align with the approved lists of materials and components to prevent errors.

What to do if your data is flagged as Invalid

If you see Invalid Data messages:
  1. Review the flagged components to check whether the entry matches the expected format.
  2. Replace incorrect entries by selecting from the available drop-down options or adjusting your data to align with the approved values.
  3. Make the most of your plan features:
    1. If you are on the Cost Reduce or Transform plans, use the Gap Finder tool to click on the Invalid Data & Red segments to quickly identify which components or unique rows are being flagged. From there, you can refer back to your original upload to refine your data.
    2. If you are on the Transform plan, you can also make edits directly in the system, removing the need to re-upload your file.
If you’re unsure which component or cells you need to refine, please refer to our required columns guidance or contact our team for support.
IdeaInterested in upgrading to access Cost Reduce or Transform features? Get in touch with us at ram@clarity.eco to discuss upgrading your plan.

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