Everything you need to know about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance
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Welcome
Welcome to our ERP knowledge centre. It’s a page dedicated to helping you understand everything you need to know as an Amazon Selling Partner about EPR rules and regulations and how you can become and stay compliant. Learn the basic concepts of EPR and why compliance is important for your business. We also highlight the steps you can take to fulfil your EPR obligations and explain the EPR services offered by Amazon.
What is EPR?
EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility.
It’s an environmental policy that makes the producer of a product responsible for its entire life cycle. The main goal of EPR is to mitigate the environmental impacts of a product — from product design all the way through to end-of-life management, including waste collection, sorting and recycling.
Introduced during the 1990s in Sweden and Germany, EPR has become a significant aspect of European waste policy. How EPR is implemented can vary from country to country. If you sell goods in any European country, it’s your responsibility to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations.
It’s an environmental policy that makes the producer of a product responsible for its entire life cycle. The main goal of EPR is to mitigate the environmental impacts of a product — from product design all the way through to end-of-life management, including waste collection, sorting and recycling.
Introduced during the 1990s in Sweden and Germany, EPR has become a significant aspect of European waste policy. How EPR is implemented can vary from country to country. If you sell goods in any European country, it’s your responsibility to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations.
Who is a producer?
Simply put, a producer is the party who first offers a product subject to EPR requirements. A party can also be a producer if it meets the following criteria:
• Manufactures a product in a country and sells it domestically;
• Imports a product into the country where you are established; or
• Sells a product in a country where you are not physically established.
If you’re unsure of whether or not EPR is your responsibility, you should seek professional advice.
• Manufactures a product in a country and sells it domestically;
• Imports a product into the country where you are established; or
• Sells a product in a country where you are not physically established.
If you’re unsure of whether or not EPR is your responsibility, you should seek professional advice.
What are the EPR Categories?
There are a number of different products to which EPR is applied. These are known as EPR categories, which differ depending on which country you’re selling in.
The most common categories are packaging, electrical and electronic equipment and batteries.
As new categories can always be added, it’s important to stay up to date with the country-specific EPR requirements.
The most common categories are packaging, electrical and electronic equipment and batteries.
As new categories can always be added, it’s important to stay up to date with the country-specific EPR requirements.
What responsibilities might I have?
If you sell goods in a European country, it’s important to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations. As a producer, you usually have three types of responsibilities: financial responsibilities, take-back responsibilities and information responsibilities.
Financial responsibilities
You may be required to pay fees to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) depending on the number of products you sell. Some countries require you to register with government authorities, which comes at a cost.
Take-back responsibilities
In some countries, you may be obliged to offer your customers a collection (take-back) service for old items upon request.
Information responsibilities
Sometimes, you may be required to share information with your customers on how they can recycle old products, or show some types of information on an invoice. You’ll also be obliged to file reports to government authorities and service providers on the number of products sold. In some cases, you’ll also need to share proof of compliance with Amazon.
What you can do to stay EPR compliant
There are a few key things you need to do as a producer to fulfil EPR requirements. Of course, to ensure you’re fulfilling all your obligations, you’ll need to take a look at the regulations specific to the European country you’re selling in.
You’ll need to obtain your EPR registration number, which you can use to prove your compliance to Amazon.
If ever in doubt on whether you’re doing what you need to stay compliant with EPR regulations, you can get in touch with EPR Services on Amazon.
You’ll need to obtain your EPR registration number, which you can use to prove your compliance to Amazon.
If ever in doubt on whether you’re doing what you need to stay compliant with EPR regulations, you can get in touch with EPR Services on Amazon.
What happens if I don't stay EPR compliant?
As a Selling Partner, it’s a legal requirement to fulfil your obligations as a producer and EPR regulations that apply to you. If you’re considered non-compliant, Amazon may need to deactivate any non-compliant listings you have — or comply on your behalf.
Remember, by fulfilling your EPR obligations, you’re doing your part in protecting the environment.
Remember, by fulfilling your EPR obligations, you’re doing your part in protecting the environment.
EPR requirements: Germany
As an Amazon Selling Partner offering products for sale in Germany, there are EPR regulations to be followed in two categories: packaging and electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). You’ll find information you need about both below.
Packaging
When it comes to packaging, you can prove your compliance to Amazon through a 13-digit registration number called a LUCID number. You’ll need to submit this information on the Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility portal.
The EPR categories for packaging and paper are registered under one same EPR category, and you’ll only need to provide one unique identification number (UIN).
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
If you’re selling electrical and electronic equipment in Germany, you should familiarise yourself with the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG).
To fulfil EEE EPR requirements in Germany, you will need to register with Stiftung EAR, the German EEE authority. You’ll also need to ensure that all your products in the scope of ElektroG are collected at the end of their life through the country’s municipal collection system or through your own collection system.
To fulfil EEE EPR requirements in Germany, you will need to register with Stiftung EAR, the German EEE authority. You’ll also need to ensure that all your products in the scope of ElektroG are collected at the end of their life through the country’s municipal collection system or through your own collection system.
EPR requirements: France
As an Amazon seller with products in France, there are EPR regulations to be followed in 19 different categories — with new categories to be launched in the coming years. You can find information on how to stay EPR compliant in France below.
EPR Categories in France
As of 2023, there are 19 product categories that are sold on Amazon.fr, including:
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Batteries
Case-packed*
Furniture
Textiles
Tyres
Batteries
Case-packed*
Furniture
Textiles
Tyres
Chemicals
Tobacco and accessories
Mineral or synthetic lubricating or industrial oils
Sports and leisure goods
Do-it-yourself (DIY)
Construction products and materials
Tobacco and accessories
Mineral or synthetic lubricating or industrial oils
Sports and leisure goods
Do-it-yourself (DIY)
Construction products and materials
Medical piercing equipment
Toys
Non-biodegradable synthetic chewing gum
Disposable sanitary textiles (not reusable)
Professional packaging
Fishing gear containing plastic
Toys
Non-biodegradable synthetic chewing gum
Disposable sanitary textiles (not reusable)
Professional packaging
Fishing gear containing plastic
*The EPR categories for packaging and paper are registered under one same EPR category, and you’ll only need to provide one unique identification number (UIN).
How to stay compliant
In France, you will need to obtain your unique identification numbers (UINs) for the products you sell on Amazon. These will need to be submitted on the Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility page to prove your compliance to Amazon.
You’ll also need to report and pay eco-contributions to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for each EPR category that you sell. In France, PROs are translated as “éco-organismes”.
You’ll also need to report and pay eco-contributions to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for each EPR category that you sell. In France, PROs are translated as “éco-organismes”.
EPR requirements: Austria
Learn more about the EPR requirements and regulations for Austria.
Do you need help with EPR compliance? We’ve got everything you need on Amazon.
From following the specific processes for each category, to staying updated on country-specific regulations, get the guidance you need to stay EPR compliant as an Amazon Selling Partner.
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