The European Union's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for packaging is a regulatory approach that holds producers accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging throughout its lifecycle. Producers are required to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of their packaging waste. This policy aims to promote sustainability, reduce the environmental footprint of packaging, and encourage producers to design packaging that is more eco-friendly. It fosters a circular economy by shifting the burden of waste management from consumers and local authorities to the producers, thereby encouraging the responsible use of resources and minimizing the environmental impact of packaging materials.
Since 2022, many EU countries have gradually implemented their own Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies. In corresponding EU member states/regions, products must be registered for all specified categories to be circulated in the respective markets. Germany and France are among the early adopters of this policy, and their EPR implementation schemes are relatively comprehensive, serving as references for many other EU member states. In today's presentation, we will give an introduction to the packaging EPR policies in the EU, and primarily focus on the specific implementation methods of those for Germany and France, as well as the procedures for registration.
