Everything you need to know about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance
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Welcome
Welcome to our EPR Knowledge Centre. This page tells you everything you need to know about EPR rules and regulations as an Amazon Selling Partner and how you can comply with them. Discover the basic concepts of EPR and find out why compliance is important for your business. We'll provide a step-by-step description of how you can meet your EPR obligations and will 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 responsible for the entire life cycle of a product. The primary goal of EPR is to reduce a product's environmental impact — from product design to end-of-life disposal, including waste collection, sorting and recycling.
EPR was introduced in Sweden and Germany in the 1990s and has become an important aspect of European waste policy.
The way in which EPR is implemented can vary from country to country.
If you sell goods in a European country, it is your responsibility to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations.
EPR was introduced in Sweden and Germany in the 1990s and has become an important aspect of European waste policy.
The way in which EPR is implemented can vary from country to country.
If you sell goods in a European country, it is your responsibility to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations.
Who is a producer?
Simply put, a producer is the party that first offers a product that is subject to EPR requirements. A party can also be a producer if it meets the following criteria:
• produces a product in the country and sells it domestically, or
• imports a product into the country in which it is based, or
• sells a product in a country in which it is not physically based.
If you are unsure whether EPR is your responsibility, you should seek professional advice.
• produces a product in the country and sells it domestically, or
• imports a product into the country in which it is based, or
• sells a product in a country in which it is not physically based.
If you are unsure whether 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 and differ depending on which country you sell in.
The most common categories are packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, and batteries.
As new categories can be added at any time, it is important to stay up to date with country-specific EPR requirements.
The most common categories are packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, and batteries.
As new categories can be added at any time, it is important to stay up to date with country-specific EPR requirements.
What responsibilities might I have?
If you sell goods in a European country, it is important to follow the applicable EPR rules and regulations. As a producer, you generally have three types of responsibilities: financial responsibilities, take-back responsibilities, and the responsibility to provide information.
Financial responsibilities
Depending on the amount of products you sell, you may need to pay fees to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). Some countries require you to register with government authorities, which comes at a cost.
Take-back responsibilities
In some countries, you may be required to offer your customers a collection (take-back) service for old items upon request.
Information responsibilities
In some cases, you are required to provide your customers with information about how they can recycle old products, or provide specific information on the invoice. You are also required to provide government authorities and service providers with reports on the quantity of products sold. And in some cases, you'll need to provide Amazon with proof of compliance.
What you can do to stay EPR compliant
As a producer, there are a few important things that you must do in order to meet EPR requirements. To ensure that you meet all your obligations, you must of course look at the specific regulations of the European country in which you are selling.
You'll need your EPR registration number, which you can use to prove your compliance to Amazon.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you are doing everything necessary to comply with EPR regulations, you can contact EPR Services at Amazon.
You'll need your EPR registration number, which you can use to prove your compliance to Amazon.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you are doing everything necessary to comply with EPR regulations, you can contact EPR Services at Amazon.
What happens if I don't remain EPR compliant?
As a Selling Partner, you are required by law to meet your obligations as a producer and the EPR regulations that apply to you. If you're found to be non-compliant, Amazon may need to deactivate your non-compliant listings — or comply with regulations on your behalf.
Remember that by meeting your EPR obligations, you are doing your bit to protect the environment.
Remember that by meeting your EPR obligations, you are doing your bit to protect the environment.
EPR requirements: Germany
As an Amazon Selling Partner that offers products for sale in Germany, there are EPR regulations that must be met in two categories: packaging and electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). You can find the information you need about both below.
Packaging
For packaging, you can prove compliance to Amazon using a 13-digit registration number, your LUCID number. You must submit this information on the “Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility” portal.
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
If you sell electrical and electronic equipment in Germany, you should familiarise yourself with the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG).
To meet the EPR requirements for EEE in Germany, you must register with Stiftung ear, the German EEE authority. You must also ensure that all of your products covered by the ElektroG are collected at the end of their life through the state's municipal collection system or through your own collection system.
To meet the EPR requirements for EEE in Germany, you must register with Stiftung ear, the German EEE authority. You must also ensure that all of your products covered by the ElektroG are collected at the end of their life through the state'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 that must be met in 19 different categories. New categories will be introduced in the coming years. You can find information on how you can comply with EPR rules in France below.
EPR categories in France
As of 2023, there are 19 product categories sold on Amazon.fr, including:
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Batteries
Printed paper
Packaging
Furniture
Textiles
Tyres
Batteries
Printed paper
Packaging
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 & Games
Non-biodegradable synthetic chewing gum
Disposable sanitary textiles (not reusable)
Professional packaging
Fishing gear containing plastic
Toys & Games
Non-biodegradable synthetic chewing gum
Disposable sanitary textiles (not reusable)
Professional packaging
Fishing gear containing plastic
How to stay compliant with the law
In France, you need your unique identification numbers (UINs) for the products you sell on Amazon. These must be submitted on the Compliance Information for Expanded Producer Responsibility page to prove your compliance to Amazon.
You must also report and pay environmental contributions to a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for each EPR category that you sell. In France, PROs are translated as “éco-organismes.”
You must also report and pay environmental 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 EPR requirements and regulations for Austria.
Do you need help with EPR compliance? We've got everything you need on Amazon.
From compliance with the specific processes for each category, to keeping up to date with country-specific regulations, you'll get the guidance you need to remain EPR compliant as an Amazon Selling Partner.
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