Packaging EPR registration by country: a guide for online sellers
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging means that whoever first supplies packaging to consumers in a country pays for its collection and recycling there. For a Shopify store shipping across Europe, that can mean registrations in several countries. Here is an overview of the main markets.
In short
- EPR is organised country by country: a national register plus one or more producer responsibility organisations (schemes).
- Shipping directly to consumers in a country usually makes you the producer there, including for your shipping boxes.
- Registration numbers increasingly have to be shown to marketplaces and, in France, in your terms and invoices.
- Start with your largest markets: registering late can mean back payments and blocked marketplace listings.
How EPR works in every country
The building blocks are the same everywhere:
- Register as a producer in the national register.
- Join a scheme (producer responsibility organisation) that collects and recycles packaging on your behalf, and pay fees based on weight and material.
- Report the packaging you placed on the market, usually per year, sometimes per month or quarter for larger volumes.
- Appoint a representative where national rules or the PPWR require one because you are not established in that country.
Under the PPWR, the country where your customer receives the parcel is what matters for direct sales to consumers. Your shipping boxes, fillers and tape count as packaging too.
Overview of major markets
| Country | Register | Schemes / organisation | Notes for online sellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | LUCID (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister) | Dual systems such as Der Grüne Punkt, Interseroh+, Landbell, Reclay and others | Register in LUCID before shipping; participate in a dual system for packaging that reaches private consumers, including shipping boxes. Marketplaces and fulfilment providers must check registration. See LUCID guide. |
| France | SYDEREP (ADEME), which issues a unique identification number (UIN, “IDU”) | Citeo, Léko and Adelphe for household packaging | Show the UIN in your terms and conditions and on request; Triman and Info-tri sorting labels apply. See France guide. |
| Italy | CONAI membership | CONAI and material consortia | Producers and users of packaging contribute through CONAI; foreign sellers shipping directly to Italian consumers typically need to declare their packaging. |
| Spain | Registro de Productores de Producto, packaging section (MITECO) | Ecoembes (light packaging, paper), Ecovidrio (glass) and others | Spain extended EPR to commercial and industrial packaging and requires registration of producers placing packaging on the Spanish market. |
| Netherlands | Afvalfonds Verpakkingen | Afvalfonds Verpakkingen | Producers above a weight threshold pay and report; below it, lighter obligations apply. Check the current threshold with Afvalfonds. |
| Austria | Packaging licensing through a collection and recovery system | ARA and other licensed systems | Distance sellers shipping household packaging to Austria must license it with a system. Austrian rules have required many sellers without an Austrian establishment to appoint an authorised representative; check your case. |
| Sweden | Naturvårdsverket producer register | Näringslivets Producentansvar (NPA) and TMResponsibility | Producers register and report annually to Naturvårdsverket, usually through a producer responsibility organisation. Sellers established in another EU country need an authorised representative in Sweden. |
Rules change often, and the PPWR is bringing more harmonisation, including future EU-level reporting formats. Always confirm the current details with the national register before you register or report.
Order of work for a growing store
- Measure. Record packaging weight per product and per shipping box type, by material (paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, wood, other).
- Rank your markets by number of orders, and start with the top three.
- Compare service providers. Many schemes offer multi-country packages and representative services for cross-border sellers.
- Register before you scale. Back payments and marketplace blocks are more expensive than early registration.
- Automate reporting from your order data, per country and material.
What marketplaces check
Large marketplaces already ask for EPR registration numbers for Germany and France and block listings without them. The PPWR extends the obligation on online marketplaces to check producers' registrations across the EU. Even if you sell mainly through your own Shopify store, having the numbers ready makes it easier to add marketplaces later.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), Articles 44 and 45, EUR-Lex
- LUCID packaging register (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister, Germany)
- SYDEREP, ADEME producer registers (France)
- CONAI (Italy)
- Afvalfonds Verpakkingen (Netherlands)
- Naturvårdsverket: packaging producer responsibility (Sweden)
This guide explains EU rules in general terms and is not legal advice. National rules and guidance can add requirements. Check the sources and, for your specific products, ask a lawyer or the competent authority. Last checked 31 October 2026.