EPR systems for packaging in comparison: a country overview

Extended Producer Responsibility follows the principle of product responsibility for retailers. This includes not only the product itself, but also all packaging put into circulation that is disposed of by end consumers.

At EU level, the EPR for packaging is based on the EU Packaging Directive (Directive 94 62 EC). In this directive, the members of the European Union have agreed on joint measures relating to the circular economy and environmental protection. Manufacturers and retailers thus assume responsibility for the entire life cycle of their packaging. This includes the disposal and recycling of this packaging. The challenge here is that the various EU countries implement the directive differently in their laws and place different requirements on retailers. As a result, it can be tricky for companies with international shipping operations to implement the various laws correctly. This makes it all the more important to familiarise yourself with the relevant legislation before selling or shipping to a country.

A better understanding of EPR regulations not only helps to avoid fines, but also promotes more environmentally friendly product and packaging processes.

Before you export to one of your target countries, you should get an overview of the regulations that apply there. Due to the different implementation of the EU directive in each country, this can be overwhelming at first. But this is where we come in: our brief overview will give you the necessary feel for all the important requirements. Do you need help implementing the packaging requirements? Then our licensing service is the right choice.

• Companies are obliged to licence the household packaging they put into circulation to private end consumers.
• After licensing their quantities, the companies concerned receive their EPR number from the French environmental authority.
• Labelling is mandatory in France. Packaging must be labelled with the TRIMAN logo and separation instructions.
• Affected companies are also obliged to submit a so-called prevention plan. This must include measures to reduce the environmental impact of packaging.

• Companies that sell goods to private end consumers are obliged to register in the LUCID Packaging Register.
• The Central Agency Packaging Register (with its register LUCID) acts as a control body for compliance with the obligations arising from the German Packaging Act.
• There is an obligation to participate in the system. This means that retailers and manufacturers must licence their packaging volumes with a dual system.
• Online marketplaces and fulfilment service providers are subject to an inspection obligation.

• In Italy, manufacturers and retailers with an Italian branch are also responsible for the life cycle of their packaging.
• There is an obligation to register with the national packaging consortium CONAI.
• Irrespective of the licensing obligation, there is a labelling obligation for packaging intended for private end consumers. This must be labelled with a disposal notice, an alphanumeric code in accordance with Directive 97/192/EC and written in easily understandable Italian.

• In Poland, the Product, Packaging and Waste Management Database (BDO) ensures the collection of information on waste and the electronic processing of registration.
• Companies are obliged to register with the BDO.
• Companies are generally obliged to minimise the volume and weight of their packaging and to ensure that their packaging waste is recycled.
• Companies pay an eco-fee to its EPR system from the first package put into circulation.
• All domestic and foreign companies are obliged to prepare an annual report.

• Extended producer responsibility for packaging will come into force in Denmark from 1 July 2025.
• Registration in the producer register and quantity reporting must take place between 1 April and 1 September 2024.
• Producers can fulfil their responsibility either individually or by participating in collective packaging schemes.

With the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European Union is pursuing plans to promote the sustainability of packaging. This is intended to set binding requirements for packaging and packaging waste on the European market and goes beyond the previous EU directive. In the event of a final decision, the PPWR would apply uniformly in all 27 EU member states, which offers less room for manoeuvre for national adjustments compared to previous directives.

The planned measures are designed to significantly reduce the ecological footprint of packaging in the European Union. One planned measure is the ban on the introduction of packaging without minimum recyclability requirements. In future, the weight, volume and empty space of packaging is to be reduced to a minimum. The regulation is to be binding for all companies based in the EU and for companies that import products into the EU. As a result of the implementation, the current EPR obligations will have to be adapted in some countries.