Online marketplace to end EPR services – switch to Circular Pro now to stay EPR-compliant  

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At the end of last year, one of the largest online marketplaces informed its customers that its own EPR services would be discontinued as of 1 January 2025. Retailers must now take it upon themselves to select an alternative provider to fulfil their EPR obligations in the relevant markets. Otherwise, retailers will not be following EPR regulations and may face sanctions from national authorities.Online marketplace to end EPR services – switch to Circular Pro now to stay EPR-compliant

Are you unsure whether your company is fully compliant with all EPR regulations? Start our Quick check now or get your free Circular Pro account immediately to ensure you never miss any EPR changes in the future!

No EPR number, no sales possible on Europe’s largest online marketplace

The EPR number is a unique registration number issued by the relevant national authorities that also serves as proof for an online marketplace that a company has fulfilled its obligations under the extended producer responsibility (EPR). This number is required to continue selling goods in certain product categories – such as packaging, electrical appliances or batteries – on online marketplaces.

The international online giant requires sellers who market products in the EU to provide proof of this registration to ensure that all legal requirements regarding recycling, disposal and labelling are met. The exact designation of the EPR number may vary from country to country. For example, in Germany, the LUCID registration number is issued by the Central Packaging Register Foundation. You can learn more about LUCID – the German packaging register – here.

Some countries have additional requirements, such as special recycling symbols or information for private final consumers about disposal options. Read more about mandatory packaging labelling in Spain here.

What is extended producer responsibility (EPR)?

The term EPR stands for ‘extended producer responsibility’. The concept is an environmental policy approach that plays a central role in the waste disposal and recycling industry not only in Germany, but also in many other countries, mostly in Europe.

Extended producer responsibility requires all producers of packaging and other product types – or those who bring them into circulation (importers) – to take legal responsibility for the goods they produce and distribute. This responsibility therefore extends not only to the production and sale of the goods, but also to their proper disposal, collection and recycling.

EPR applies to all industries: manufacturers in the food, textiles, clothing, footwear, cosmetics, electrical appliances, electronics and batteries sectors are equally affected.

Online retailers or importers who sell their products via online marketplaces or their own online shops are equally affected by the EPR obligations as national companies. Often, even stricter regulations apply to companies that sell abroad without their own registered office in the foreign country. It is therefore imperative to deal with applicable EPR obligations and, if necessary, to optimise internal processes if sanctions or fines are to be avoided.

EPR applies equally to all manufacturers

In general, all companies that:

produce or market goods for distribution in the EU,
import products or
sell goods as (online) retailers

deal with the topic of EPR and check in individual cases whether an obligation exists.

In case of doubt, manufacturers should always check (or have checked) whether they fall under the regulations of extended producer responsibility. If the relevant obligations are not met, there is a risk of sanctions. This means that affected companies may no longer be allowed to sell via marketplaces or, strictly speaking, their own online shops. Furthermore, companies must expect consequences from the national control authorities. These are regulated differently depending on the country and can range from fines to a complete ban on sales.

Sellers on the largest online marketplace must act now

If your company sells its products in Europe via the major online marketplace, it probably has some EPR obligations to fulfil. However, these may be regulated differently depending on the product category and country. Until the end of last year, it was still possible to book special services for the fulfilment of EPR obligations directly through the relevant online marketplace. Now this service has been discontinued and there is an urgent need for action!

It doesn’t matter what industry your company is in or whether you sell electronics, products with batteries or rechargeable batteries, food, disposable plastic products, textiles, clothing, shoes, lifestyle items, sports equipment, toys, office supplies or anything else. The obligation to take responsibility for the packaging of your products and, in some cases, the products themselves (e.g. WEEE) throughout the entire product cycle applies across all industries.

With Circular Pro, you are on the safe side and can easily ensure that your EPR obligations are met in all the countries relevant to your business with just a few clicks. Book your support session with our team of experts now and get professional assistance.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with EPR requirements?

Fines can be imposed, for example, for failure to register, incomplete or incorrect reporting, insufficient payment of fees, and for violations of labelling and information requirements. This can also be done retroactively for past years if there is an audit by the authorities and EPR violations are detected.

Circular Pro Account – get started now!

Get your free Circular Pro Account today and find out in which countries your company has EPR obligations. Follow the steps to sign up and get started. Get your free Circular Pro Account here.

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