Sell on Amazon Sign in
This article applies to selling in: United Kingdom

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Education

Introduction

This page will provide you with background and important details about requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

For specific information on EPR legislations in Germany and France, go to one of the following pages:

In addition to this EPR Education page, Amazon has developed solutions to help you meet your EPR requirements, use the links below to access:

General information

What has changed and what do I need to do?

Starting in 2022, if you sell in France and/or Germany, Amazon will be legally obliged to confirm that you comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. This applies to all sellers, irrespective of the fulfilment channel. You can prove your compliance on the Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) page by submitting your registration number(s) and confirming that you comply with all relevant legal requirements. Amazon reserves the right to contact you for additional information. If you are considered non-compliant, Amazon may need to suspend your non-compliant offers or comply on your behalf. The following page provides a general introduction to EPR. For detailed instructions on what you need to do, go to the respective country pages for:

What does it mean to comply with EPR?

EPR is applied differently in different countries. We strongly encourage you to refer to the country specific pages to understand what you need to do. As an initial guidance, the general steps you need to take to be compliant are:

Step 1: Registration

Registration is a one-time process to obtain one or more registration number(s) per product category.

  • Once you receive the registration number(s), you need to communicate it to Amazon as proof of compliance. Go to Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Seller Central to upload your registration number(s).
  • Click on the country for which you want to provide the registration number(s) and fill in the box.

Step 2: Declaration and reporting

  • You will typically be required to join a Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO) that can fulfil EPR obligations on your behalf. In some cases, you can choose between multiple PROs. In other cases, there is a single centralized organization.
  • You will typically be required to declare your sales (of categories covered by EPR) for the applicable reporting period. Sometimes, these sales need to be reported to the PRO(s) only. In other cases, you are required to submit the same reports to authorities in parallel.

Step 3: Payment

You will generally be required to pay fees to the relevant PRO(s). The fees are determined by the PRO(s) depending on the product category (for example, EEE) and device type (such as refrigerator, television, mobile phone), product attributes (such as packaging material, materials of furniture) and number and/or weight of units sold.

How can I get help to become compliant?

For more information about the solutions Amazon offers to help you meet your EPR compliance requirements, go to Amazon solutions for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.

Amazon solutions currently available include:

  • EPR Services Provider Network (SPN)

    EPR SPN Service is a store on our Amazon Seller Central partner network that allows our sellers access to vetted service providers offering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services. They assist sellers with EPR registration and reporting obligations and act as the point of contact for all questions on EPR compliance. We have created the SPN network to increase the number of agencies you have access to and can use to achieve compliance within the tight deadlines given by authorities (for example, July 01, 2022 for DE packaging).

    Go to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Service Provider Network to access vetted service providers, review their services and select a preferred service provider to work with.

    Note: Price negotiations and service providers selection is strictly done by sellers and registrations and reporting are done offline between both parties.

    Upon conclusion of registration process and receipt of the registration number from the authorities, you must upload the registration number on Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Manual for Packaging Germany

    The manual offers step-by-step guidance on how to comply with EPR German packaging law by June 30, 2022, and report your packaging volumes.

Frequently asked questions

1. I am already fulfilling my EPR obligations. Do I have to let Amazon know?

Yes. If you already comply with your EPR obligations, you should submit your registration number on Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on Seller Central.

2. I am a Self-Ship seller. Does this apply to me?

Yes. Amazon has to confirm that all sellers are EPR compliant irrespective of using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Self-Ship.

3. When am I impacted?

Before products are listed in France or Germany, you must ensure that you comply with regulations in all applicable EPR categories. We encourage you to refer to the respective country pages for detailed instructions on what you need to do.

4. Do I need to register for different countries and different EPR categories?

Yes. There are different registration requirements, processes and authorized bodies for each country and EPR categories offered on Amazon. We encourage you to refer to the respective country pages for detailed instructions on what you need to do.

5. How often do I need to report my sales and pay the EPR fee?

Declarations and payments of EPR contributions are conducted monthly, quarterly or yearly, depending on the EPR categories and PROs in each country. We encourage you to refer to the respective country pages for detailed instructions on what you need to do.

6. Will Amazon provide help with EPR reporting?

Yes. We have launched Amazon EPR Category Reports for Germany and France. You can now download reports which will help you prepare your filings and pay EPR fee in Germany and France. Amazon EPR reports provide detailed information on your sales of products via Amazon. They currently cover primary packaging and electric and electronic equipment (EEE) in Germany and primary packaging, EEE, batteries, furniture, tires, print paper and textiles in France. Secondary packaging reports for Germany will be available in Q3’22, and chemicals and medical piercing equipment for self-treatment in France will be added in Q2’22. You can now access reports through your Seller Central account using the EPR Reports page. For more information about Amazon EPR Reports, go to Amazon EPR report FAQ and EPR Report field definitions.

Note: EPR Reports are available for your convenience and reference. By downloading the report(s), you bear full responsibility to determine the applicability and accuracy of the information generated by Amazon, including all the calculation, catalog data, invoicing, EPR reporting, and any other EPR-related obligations.

7. Do I need report and pay for both primary (product packaging) and secondary (shipping) packaging?

Primary packaging refers to the packaging used to protect the product. This can include the box of a pair of shoes or the aluminium can of a soft drink. Both Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Self-Ship sellers need to pay for primary packaging.

Secondary packaging refers to shipping packaging. This includes boxes or bags used to protect the product during transport to the customer. This can be extended to filling material to protect the product and tapes to secure the package. Shipping labels are also a part of secondary packaging.

Depending on the country, you may be required to report and pay for both primary and secondary packaging. For instance, starting July 01, 2022, in Germany you will be responsible for secondary packaging that Amazon uses to fulfil your products in FBA. Go to country specific pages for further information.

8. How much will it cost me?

You will have to pay registration fees to PROs and/or government authorities. This one-time fee may range from €0 to €250 or more.

In addition, you may be required to pay EPR fees on a regular basis. These fees are calculated based on your sales and the EPR product categories, which vary from country to country. Each PRO maintains its own list of prices as per contractual agreements which may vary from year to year. Go to country specific pages for further information.

9. Why can't I see all categories on the EPR Compliance Portal?

Germany and France will not have the same listed categories. Check the country specific pages for the relevant categories. Amazon will continue to add categories to the EPR Compliance Portal as they become available.

Amazon started to accept submissions of registration numbers in France in February 2022. We will start accepting submissions of registration numbers for EEE in Germany in the coming months. Amazon will not require registration numbers for batteries in Germany at this stage.

10. Why can't I see all countries on the EPR Compliance Portal?

If a country is missing, then the registration numbers cannot yet be entered in the EPR Compliance Portal.

11. What happens after I submit a registration number to Amazon?

Once provided on Seller Central, Amazon will validate your submission with the appropriate government agency or PRO. It may take Amazon up to five business days to validate the registration number.

Once validated by Amazon, the status next to your number will change from “Submitted” to “Valid” or “Invalid + reason for invalid”. If the status is “Valid” no further action is required from you, and you can disregard these notifications. However, if the status is “Invalid”, refer to the reason provided and take appropriate action.

If any of these conditions apply, resubmit the correct number. If none of these conditions apply, you can reach out to Selling Partner Support through Seller Central. In June 2022, we will provide you with an option to appeal offer suppressions and will share details later in Q2.

12. I'm compliant for the necessary category, how do I provide Amazon with the registration numbers I have received?

You will need to work with the respective PROs and/or agencies to access your registration number. The number can then be provided within the EPR Compliance Portal both for Germany and France. Got to Compliance Information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Seller Central, click on the country and follow the instructions

13. What are the differences between registering in France and Germany?

In France, you will only need to register with the PROs in the appropriate EPR category. In Germany, you will additionally need to register with the applicable administrative agency: Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (ZSVR) for packaging, Stiftung Elektroaltgeräte Register (EAR) for EEE.

14. Where can I find more information on EPR for Germany?

For more information, we encourage you to get familiar with the respective laws (ElektroG for WEEE and VerpackG for packaging). In addition, go to our country specific help page and websites of government authorities:

15. Where can I find more information on EPR for France?

For more information, including on reporting, frequency and payment of EPR fees, we encourage you to go to our country specific help page, websites of government authorities and web pages of PROs:

Sign in to use the tool and get personalised help (desktop browser required). Sign in


Reach Hundreds of Millions of Customers

Start Selling on Amazon


© 1999-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates