Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that makes producers financially and/or physically responsible for the end-of-life management of their products and packaging. The PPWR harmonises EPR requirements for packaging across the EU, building on existing national EPR schemes in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other member states.
PPWR EPR Requirements
Under the PPWR, producers placing packaging on the EU market must: register with the national EPR scheme in each member state where they sell; report annually on the quantity and type of packaging placed on the market; contribute financially to the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling; and ensure that their packaging meets recyclability requirements.
Eco-Modulation of EPR Fees
The PPWR requires member states to eco-modulate EPR fees based on the environmental performance of packaging. Packaging with higher recycled content, better recyclability, or lower weight should attract lower EPR fees. Packaging that is difficult to recycle, contains hazardous substances, or is unnecessarily heavy should attract higher fees. This creates a financial incentive for producers to improve packaging design.
National EPR Schemes
| Country | EPR Scheme | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| France | CITEO | CITEO (PRO) |
| Germany | LUCID / Dual System | Multiple PROs |
| UK | PRN/PERN System | Multiple accredited reprocessors |
| Netherlands | Afvalfonds Verpakkingen | Nedvang |
| Spain | ECOEMBES / ECOVIDRIO | ECOEMBES, ECOVIDRIO |
| Italy | CONAI | CONAI |
| Poland | BDO Registry | Multiple PROs |
One-Stop-Shop Registration
The PPWR introduces a one-stop-shop registration mechanism for producers selling in multiple EU member states. Producers can register in their home member state and have their registration recognised across the EU, reducing the administrative burden of multi-country EPR compliance.