What is EPR?

EPR is the abbreviation of an EU policy called Extended Producer's Responsibility. In the EU, the collection and recycling of post-consumer waste from most products is managed through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. Producers must ensure responsibility and liability for the management of waste generated by their products at the end of their useful life by paying an “ecological contribution” fee.

Starting from January 2022, if a seller opens a store to sell goods in Germany or France, he must upload an EPR registration number within the specified time. Amazon will be obliged to confirm that the seller complies with (EPR) regulations in the country or region where it is sold, otherwise the relevant goods will Forced to stop selling by Amazon.

Who is the “producer” in EPR?

According to the official statement, if it meets any of the following conditions, it is a "producer":

1. If goods that need to comply with extended producer responsibility requirements are manufactured in the corresponding country/region;

2. If you import goods that need to comply with extended producer responsibility requirements to the corresponding country/region;

3. If you sell goods that need to comply with extended producer responsibility requirements in the corresponding country/region, and no company is established in that country/region.

Most Chinese sellers fall into the third category of "producers".

If you are a producer of products within the scope of EPR requirements, what do you need to do?

1. If you are a manufacturer and do not have an EPR registration number, you need to register to obtain it. You must contact the appropriate Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for each EPR product category to obtain an EPR registration number;

2. If you are not a manufacturer, but the products you sell need to comply with EPR requirements, you need to obtain the applicable EPR registration number from the upstream supplier;

3. If you are not a manufacturer and cannot obtain the applicable EPR registration number from the upstream supplier, you need to register your own EPR registration number.

What is the difference between the EPR policy and Germany’s existing packaging law, WEEE, and battery law?

EPR is an environmental protection policy launched by the European Union, while the German Packaging Law, WEEE and Battery Laws are regulatory requirements implemented in specific countries based on this policy directive. These regulations all require products to be properly disposed of in Germany, from packaging, products to batteries until they are discarded.

EPR registration upload process:

Obtain the EPR registration number → Upload the EPR registration number (not required currently) → Mark the product with relevant marks

German Station: The registration numbers of the following regulations can be used as EPR registration numbers that meet the requirements:

• Packaging: Registrierungsnummer

• Electrical and electronic equipment: WEEE-Reg.-Nr.DE

• Battery: Batt-Reg. -Nr.DE2

French station:

In the future, different product categories will be unified into one UIN ("Identifiant Unique"), but it has not yet been unified. Sellers can contact the relevant Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for each EPR product classification to obtain an EPR registration number.

What information is required to register for EPR?

• Scanned copy of business license • Store information • Product information

• Product sales quantity • VAT tax number

How long does it take to register for EPR?

• France: about 2-10 weeks • Germany: about 4-12 weeks

What other work needs to be done after obtaining the EPR registration number?

After registering for EPR, sellers also need to put relevant marks on the products they sell. Including but not limited to the following:

• Print the bin logo on the electronic and electrical products and packaging sold;

• Print the recycling registration number on sales invoices;

• Mark the packaging carton with the logo of the French packaging recycling company;

• French electrical and electronics sellers are required to list environmental payments on their invoices.

Is it necessary to register for EPR?

Goods exported to Germany or France from 2022 must obtain an EPR registration number, otherwise they will be considered illegal and subject to penalties and suspension of sale.

Is there any fee to register for EPR?

EPR registration charges vary according to product category.