If you sell products online to consumers in the EU, you must fulfill a legal obligation known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means that businesses must take charge of the collection, management and recycling of waste generated by the products they place on the market. The obligation applies even if they are selling a small amount of goods and regardless of where they are based - and many sellers are unaware of this fact.

EPR in the Nordic and Baltic countries covers packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, single-use plastic products, fishing gear containing plastic, vehicles and beverage containers. There are also additional country-specific product groups, such as agricultural plastics in Estonia and paper and paper products in Finland. Future additions to EPR regulations at EU level will include textiles, shoes, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics.

National authorities in this region are working closely together to make sure that companies take care of their EPR obligations. If a company intentionally fails to comply despite being informed of its obligations, it may face consequences.

“To avoid sanctions or restrictions on market access we invite companies to join our upcoming webinar tailored for distance sellers. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of EPR obligations and guide you through the necessary steps to ensure compliance. We’ll also introduce the latest EU regulations”, says Ivo Jaanisoo, Deputy Secretary General for Living Environment and Circular Economy of the Ministry of Climate of Estonia. 

Join this free event at 09:00-10:15 CET on 3 December to learn more. Register here.