EU Country Compliance Guides

Packaging EPR Rules & Deadlines in Europe for 2025 — Seller Checklist

August 19, 2025

Introduction: Why Packaging EPR Compliance is Non-Negotiable in 2025

If you sell goods into the European Union, the packaging you use is not just a design choice — it’s a regulated part of your product.

Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules require sellers to take financial responsibility for the recycling and disposal of the packaging they place on the market. These rules apply to nearly every seller, from Amazon FBA merchants to direct-to-consumer brands, and the enforcement pressure is rising in 2025.

Failing to comply can lead to marketplace suspensions, legal fines, and customs delays. This guide breaks down what Packaging EPR is, who it applies to, the key 2025 deadlines, and the exact steps to stay compliant — plus how Eldris can automate the entire process for you.

What is Packaging EPR?

EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility — a regulatory framework designed to shift the cost of waste management from taxpayers to the businesses placing goods on the market.

In the case of Packaging EPR, that means if your products are wrapped, boxed, bottled, or otherwise packaged, you are responsible for funding the collection, recycling, or safe disposal of those materials.

Materials covered under Packaging EPR include:

Paper and cardboard
Rigid and flexible plastics
Glass containers and jars
Aluminium and steel cans
Composite materials (e.g., beverage cartons, foil-laminated pouches)

Who Needs to Comply?

You are considered an EPR Producer if you:

Sell packaged goods into an EU country, regardless of your own business location
Are the brand owner of the goods sold
Import products into the EU for resale
Sell via marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or other platforms directly to EU consumers

Key point: Even if your fulfilment centre (e.g., Amazon FBA) packages the goods on your behalf, you are legally responsible as the producer placing them on the market.

Why Enforcement is Increasing in 2025

Several EU countries are tightening Packaging EPR reporting requirements this year:

Germany has increased its auditing of packaging data accuracy.
France now requires expanded material-level breakdowns in reports.
Italy has shortened reporting deadlines and added verification checks.

Marketplaces are also under greater pressure — meaning Amazon, for example, will actively block listings without valid Packaging EPR registration numbers for each target country.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with Packaging EPR can result in:

Marketplace delistings or suspension — Amazon may block your products entirely.
National fines — Up to €100,000 per country.
Back payments — You may have to pay recycling fees for past sales.
Customs delays — Goods can be held until compliance proof is provided.

Key Packaging EPR Deadlines in 2025

While exact reporting deadlines vary by country, here’s a high-level overview of what sellers can expect:

Country	Registration Requirement	First 2025 Reporting Deadline	Reporting Frequency
Germany	Before placing goods on market	Q1 2025	Quarterly
France	Before placing goods on market	Q1 2025	Quarterly
Spain	Before placing goods on market	Annual filing	Annual
Italy	Before placing goods on market	Q1 2025	Quarterly

Note: In most countries, you cannot legally sell until registration is complete — so the real deadline is before your first sale.

The Seller’s Checklist for Packaging EPR Compliance

Identify Your Target Countries
Map every EU country where you sell or intend to sell. Each country requires separate registration.
Determine If You Are the Producer
If you’re the brand owner or first placer of goods in the market, you are the responsible party.
Classify Your Packaging Materials
Break down your packaging into the materials listed above.
Measure or Estimate Volumes
Calculate the annual weight (in kilograms) of each material type you place on the market.
Select an Approved Compliance Scheme
Each country has a list of authorised schemes for registration.
Register and Obtain Your Producer Number
Submit your company details, packaging data, and any required documents.
Pay Registration and Scheme Fees
Costs vary by country and volume.
Submit Ongoing Reports
File accurate reports by each scheme’s deadline to remain compliant.
Keep Records for Audits
Store weight calculations, invoices, and certificates in one place.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make

Only registering in one country while selling across multiple EU markets.
Guessing packaging weights without proper calculation, leading to inaccurate reports.
Ignoring transit packaging (shipping boxes, pallets, void fill materials).
Missing quarterly reporting deadlines due to poor tracking.

How Eldris Automates Packaging EPR Compliance

Traditional Packaging EPR compliance involves:

Manual registration in each country
Language barriers when dealing with authorities
Separate reporting portals for each scheme
Missed deadlines due to fragmented calendars

Eldris replaces that with:

Single Secure Onboarding — Choose countries and enter your data once.
Automated Registration Submissions — We handle all country-specific forms.
Dashboard with Producer Numbers — All registrations in one place.
Automated Reporting Alerts — Never miss a deadline.
Document Storage — Certificates, receipts, and proof all centralised.

Case Study: How Automation Saved a Seller from Suspension

A French DTC skincare brand selling across Germany, Italy, and Spain faced imminent Amazon delistings due to missing Packaging EPR numbers.

With Eldris:

Onboarding took under 30 minutes for all three countries.
Registrations were submitted within 24 hours.
Producer numbers for all countries were issued in under 10 working days.
Reporting deadlines are now fully automated via the Eldris dashboard.

The result? No lost sales, no consultant fees, and complete compliance in record time.

Your Action Plan for 2025

✅ Register before your first 2025 shipment to avoid legal issues.
✅ Classify and weigh your packaging accurately.
✅ Centralise all registrations and reporting through Eldris.
✅ Use automation to free your time for sales and marketing.

Final Call to Action

Packaging EPR is here to stay, and enforcement is only getting stricter. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines — it’s about protecting your sales channels and building trust with your customers. With Eldris, you can register in multiple countries in one go, get your producer numbers fast, and automate all reporting so you never miss a deadline.

Register Your Packaging EPR with Eldris Today

View Pricing and Countries Covered