Update on the European Commission’s EPR guidelines

On 15th and 16th October, the European Commission hosted two stakeholder workshops on extended producer responsibility (EPR) - for packaging and for batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) respectively. The outcomes from the workshops will feed into the EPR guidelines which the Commission is required to develop in order to help Member States transpose the recently revised Waste Framework Directive.

The workshops were mainly led by the consultancy firm, Eunomia, which is working on a report with recommendations for the Commission’s EPR guidelines and for the planned revision of the packaging essential requirements. The workshops focused on the following aspects: modulated fees; necessary costs; equal treatment; as well as free-riding and online sales. Participants emphasised the need to harmonize rules across Member States. Eunomia will incorporate stakeholders’ feedback and finalise the report by the end of this year.

Landbell Group company, European Recycling Platform (ERP) attended both workshops and shared its experience of operating 35 producer responsibility schemes in 15 countries. ERP will also engage in the upcoming stakeholder consultations planned by the Commission for the beginning of next year.