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Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

With every target market, it’s not only your sales figures that increase, but also your obligations. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) requires companies to take responsibility for the life cycle of their packaging or packaged products – from manufacture to use to disposal. Staying on top of this allows you to remain operational in all markets.
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What is EPR?

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy concept that applies throughout the European Union. It requires producers to take responsibility for the whole lifespan of their packaging and packaged products – from manufacture to use to disposal. The goal is to reduce waste, promote recycling and strengthen the circular economy.
Making EPR fit for the future

Example: EPR compliance – multi-market distribution

Day-to-day implementation reveals just how complex EPR is for companies that operate internationally. With different registration processes, deadlines and fees, complying with the requirements is often challenging.
Europakarte mit markierter Produktionsstätte in Mitteleuropa

Context

A German manufacturer of tea products no longer sells its products only in Germany itself, but is expanding into other EU and non-EU countries.

  • Market expansion from Germany into several EU countries
  • Use of conventional plastic packaging
  • Administrative burden increases in line with growth

Challenge

EPR requirements are not regulated uniformly across Europe. Each country has its own registration requirements, fee models, and reporting portals. For manufacturers, this means high administrative costs, additional expenses, and complex processes that distract from their core tasks.

  • Separate registration in each country
  • Knowledge of and compliance with different fees, deadlines, and formats
  • Burden on internal resources due to administration

Solution

Collaboration with an authorized representative for the respective countries, who takes care of all EPR tasks—from registration and reporting to submitting evidence.

  • Harmonised registration obligations in all EU countries
  • Standardised data and reporting obligations
  • Predictable costs and reduced administrative burden
  • Provision of an authorised representative if your company is not established in Germany or has a branch abroad

Advantages of an authorized representative

  • Less administrative work
  • Compliance with legal requirements/legal conformity
  • Full delivery capability in all markets
  • Focus on core business
Zentek Authorized Representative

Differing rules, reporting obligations and fees

Although EPR is a principle that applies across the EU, it’s currently implemented differently in each member state. This leads to differing standards, reporting obligations and fee models.

Different registration and reporting requirements in each country

Varying fee models and calculation bases

Different data and reporting obligations

Various labelling and design standards

EPR under the PPWR – uniform standards for all

At present, EPR is regulated differently in each member state, resulting in a patchwork of national laws. With the entry into force of the PPWR, the legal situation will be harmonised and standardised, creating transparency and significantly reducing the burden on businesses.
EPR today
Complex and varies by country

Each country has its own requirements – from registration to fees.

  • Separate registration processes in each country
  • Different portals and deadlines
  • Varying fee models
  • Country-specific labelling and design standards
EPR in the future
Harmonised by the PPWR

Uniform rules provide clarity and reduce effort.

  • Harmonised registration requirement in all EU countries
  • Standardised data and reporting obligations
  • Common calculation bases for fees
  • Uniform design and labelling requirements
Find out more
We can help you meet your EPR obligations today and put your systems on a future-proof footing.
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Case study

The PPWR creates a single EU framework for packaging design and recycling.

Harmonised rules

No more patchworks of national regulations – the same requirements for all member states.

Less effort

Standardised reports and formats will reduce bureaucracy and save time.

More certainty

Legal certainty in all EU countries thanks to clear and binding standards.
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Authorized representatives according to PPWR

The PPWR distinguishes between two types of authorized representatives who assist companies in fulfilling their obligations in the EU in a legally compliant manner.

‘Authorised representative’
for producers

[Article 17]

The authorised representative can be appointed by the producer of packaging or packaged products to take on certain obligations of the producer in accordance with the PPWR. They act on behalf of the producer and perform certain tasks, such as compliance obligations, preparing the necessary evidence or communicating with authorities. In this way, the authorised representative supports the producer in complying with the legal requirements of the PPWR.

‘Authorised representative’ for extended producer responsibility

for manufacturers

Under the PPWR, an authorised representative is required in particular when companies place packaging or packaged products on the market in EU Member States where they do not have their own establishment (Article 44). In this case, the authorised representative assumes the tasks of extended producer responsibility (EPR), including: registration in the respective Member State, quantity reports, reports and ongoing communication with authorities. In this way, the authorised representative ensures that manufacturers can fulfil their EPR obligations in a legally compliant manner throughout the EU.

‘Authorised representative’ under VerpackDG (Section 5)

Germany (from 12 August 2026)

For producers without an establishment in Germany who place packaging or packaged products on the German market for the first time, the following applies:

  • The authorised representative must be appointed before the first placing on the market in Germany
  • The power of attorney must be granted in writing and in German
  • The authorised representative must be notified to the ZSVR without undue delay after appointment
  • The notification is made as part of the registration process; confirmation by the ZSVR is required
  • Registration and data reporting cannot be carried out by the authorised representative – these obligations remain with the producer

We’re here to help you.

We can help you meet your EPR obligations today and put your systems on a future-proof footing:
  • Training and advice without further operational effort
  • Recording of your country-specific master data and volumes
  • Registration with authorities and/or in systems
  • Contract management
  • Organisation and appointment of an authorised representative
  • Volume reporting and data management
  • Invoice validation and complaints management
  • Handling of all correspondence with authorities and systems
The benefits for you: confidence in fulfilling your legal obligations, a reduced administrative burden and a solid foundation for compliance with future harmonised requirements across the EU.
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Zwei Frauen erarbeiten eine Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie an einem Whiteboard – Teamarbeit, Planung und Zielsetzung für 2030.
360

Zentek – 360° service EPR compliance

The Zentek Group offers comprehensive support for fulfilling EPR obligations in European markets. This includes registration-related services, country-specific advice and the assumption of operational obligations within the framework of Extended Producer Responsibility.

Zentek EPR Compliance
360 Service
Support you can rely on.
You want to be certain that processes are effective, rules are followed and help is available whenever you need it. Our transparent, reliable and practical services are designed to satisfy all of these needs.
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Expertise

We continuously analyse and adapt to the latest requirements and market developments. We help companies understand which requirements are relevant to them now and which will be in the future.
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Advice

We take a practical approach to resolving individual issues, developing specific recommended actions that combine legal certainty with cost-effectiveness.
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Legal certainty

All processes – from packaging design to volume reporting – are based on current requirements. Companies act in compliance with the rules at all times.
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Implementation

From dual-system participation to reporting, in addition to planning measures, we also provide operational support until quantifiable results are achieved.
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Efficiency

Complex processes are structured, digitally supported and clearly documented. This reduces internal effort and creates space for core business activities.
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    We are happy to advise you

    Work with us and we will offer you advice and support. Our team of experienced experts is always available to answer your questions.
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