Under EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC and implementing EU Member State regulations, many EU Member States have a producer registration procedure, and reporting must be carried out for the relevant packaging material types.

There is almost a sole reliance on approved Producer Compliance Schemes (PCSs) to manage take-back and recycling of packaging waste on behalf of producers

No matter whether the packaging is deposited at local municipal collection points or enters the waste stream through commercial or industrial operations, producers generally comply ‘collectively’ with other producers through a compliance scheme in each country, which coordinates the collection and treatment of waste packaging on behalf of its members, in return for fees.

Compliance schemes that are approved by the relevant authorities are available for producers to transfer their registration, reporting, collection and treatment obligations to in almost every country.

There is often more than one scheme available, sometimes with different packaging scopes (materials or waste source) and usually with different fees, costs and administrative steps. EARN can help your company join a suitable PCS for your product packaging and manage all associated administration.