Register for EPR services

EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility.

It’s a regulatory approach that makes producers responsible for the costs of managing a product’s packaging when it is disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is important because it ensures that manufacturers are held accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.

Rather than producing goods and ignoring the waste that follows, EPR requires producers to manage their products from inception to end-of-life. This approach is essential for a number of reasons; it helps to:

• minimise pollution
• conserve natural resources
• protect our environment

Aware of their responsibility for product waste, manufacturers are incentivised to design products that are more recyclable and generate less waste.

Ultimately, EPR is about:

• promoting sustainability
• ensuring that businesses play their part in keeping our planet healthy for future generations

EPR flips the script on traditional waste management by placing responsibility on the shoulders of those who create products: the producers.

This means that anyone who imports, sells or manufactures goods in certain jurisdictions is responsible not only for making the goods, but also for what happens to them after consumers have finished using them.

EPR covers a range of product categories, including electronics, packaging, batteries and textiles, each with its own considerations and challenges:

• Electronics addresses the disposal of devices such as computers, televisions and smart phones, ensuring the proper handling of valuable materials and hazardous substances.
• Packaging focuses on the huge amount of packaging waste generated by consumer goods and aims to minimise its environmental impact through improved design and recycling programmes.
• Batteries focuses on the safe disposal and recycling of batteries, which can contain toxic chemicals.
• Textiles addresses the growing problem of textile waste generated by the fashion industry, promoting recycling and reuse to reduce environmental impact.

Registration for EPR involves a structured process to ensure compliance with the law.

As part of the registration process, companies must:

• first assess whether their products are covered by EPR regulations
• identify the applicable legislation based on their geographical sales location, and the nature of their products

Once identified, companies will register with the relevant regulatory authority, or a designated organisation responsible for overseeing EPR programmes.

This registration process includes:

• a forecast submission, providing detailed estimated information on the types and quantities of products placed on the market
• initial payments for the collection, recycling and disposal of end-of-life products

Once registered, companies are required to submit periodic reports in accordance with the relevant filing frequencies, detailing their activities.

The reports are then used to calculate a financial contribution to the waste management authorities, to cover the costs of the activities carried out in certain jurisdictions.

If you’re selling in Germany, the German WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) registration process is a crucial step for manufacturers and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment to comply with the law.

Before placing products on the market in Germany, companies must:

• register with the designated authority
• provide detailed information about the types and quantities of electrical and electronic equipment they produce or distribute

This process involves the appointment of an authorised representative, a warranty provider and a waste collection and processing agent.

This registration ensures that:

• producers and distributors comply with their obligations under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act
• contribute to the financing of the collection, recycling and environmentally sound disposal of electronic waste