VerpackDG: The New German Packaging Act
10.09.2026
We explain the most important changes brought about by the German Packaging Act (VerpackDG) and highlight what online retailers in particular need to be aware of.
EPR Compliance in Europe
Reduce EPR complexity. Stay compliant with ease in 30 European countries.
Registration, volume reporting and compliance monitoring: fully outsourced through our Premium Service or managed yourself with tailored guidance through our Self-Service. Full compliance for packaging (PPWR), electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries, textiles, furniture and more.
Packaging
WEEE
Batteries
Textiles
Furniture
Single-Use plastics
Sporting goods
Toys
What exactly is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy concept, under which companies are required to manage the disposal and recycling of their packaging and certain products. Depending on the country and distribution model, this may apply to the producer, retailer or another first-time distributor. In practice, this usually means reporting quantities, paying fees, and fulfilling the respective obligations in each country.
What are your EPR obligations?
Check your company’s EPR compliance obligations in Europe and get the most important information in less than a minute!
Trust grows when complexity becomes simple.
For many retailers, EPR is no longer a minor issue. It has become a significant operational responsibility. This is exactly where we can help. We bring structure to complex requirements, provide clarity about your obligations and manage implementation for you.
Why EPR quickly becomes complex for international retailers
Anyone selling goods in Europe must comply with various EPR obligations depending on the product category. This applies, for example, to packaging, electrical appliances, batteries and textiles. Differing national requirements, systems and deadlines can quickly make implementation a complex process.
- Risk of sales suspensions and fines
- Different processes for each country and waste stream
- Significant time investment for each target country
- Listings blocked on online marketplaces
Why EPR compliance in Europe with ecosistant?
Tailored service
The ecosistant team of experts is here to assist you with your needs. With our Premium Service, you’ll always have a single point of contact for all your EPR matters, thanks to our personalized key account management.
Broad portfolio
From EPR compliance services to assistance with recycling labels to authorization in the German market: We offer the right EPR solutions all in one place.
Countries & waste streams
We support you in 30 European countries and cover all relevant EPR waste streams. This allows you to achieve EPR compliance in Europe through a single source.
Digital and agile
With the EPR Premium Service including our ecosistant portal or our Self-Service platform, you can manage EPR digitally and transparently. This way, you always have a clear overview.
E-commerce DNA
We understand the challenges of online retail from real-world experience. That’s why our service is not only grounded in regulatory best practices but also precisely tailored to your needs.
Which solution is right for your business?
EPR compliance requirements in Europe can vary widely depending on a company’s size and industry. Choose the setup that best fits your company, and see what challenges are typical and which ecosistant services are a good fit.
Ideal for startups and small retailers
The challenge:
EPR is complex even for smaller retailers. At the same time, they often lack the time to familiarize themselves with every country and every requirement.
Our solution:
With clear digital manuals or the option of full outsourcing, you can find the right approach to achieving EPR compliance in Europe.
Scalable solutions for growing businesses
The challenge:
With more countries, more products, and more internal coordination, EPR quickly becomes a time-consuming operational project.
Our solution:
We help you manage your obligations in a structured way. Depending on your setup, this can be done through Self-Service or with full outsourcing as part of our Premium Service.
Structure for complex international setups
The challenge:
Companies that sell in many countries and need to manage multiple waste streams require more than just ad-hoc solutions. What’s needed is transparency, scalability, and clear responsibilities.
Our solution:
Companies that sell in many countries and need to manage multiple waste streams require more than just ad-hoc solutions. What’s needed is transparency, scalability, and clear responsibilities.
Our solution:
With personalized key account management and a centralized overview in the ecosistant portal, we manage complex EPR setups for you.
EPR compliance for growing fashion brands
The challenge:
In addition to packaging, fashion brands are also subject to the textile EPR, which will be implemented in all EU countries by 2028. This adds an additional layer of complexity.
Our solution:
In addition to packaging, fashion brands are also subject to the textile EPR, which will be implemented in all EU countries by 2028. This adds an additional layer of complexity.
Our solution:
We help you understand the obligations that apply to your product line and implement the right solution for your European target markets.
Fulfill all marketplace EPR obligations
The challenge:
Sellers on marketplaces are increasingly required to demonstrate their EPR compliance in order to avoid having their accounts suspended.
Our solution:
We provide clarity on your obligations and support you with the right solution, ranging from self-led implementation to full outsourcing.
Ensure compliance for your sellers
The challenge:
Marketplaces must ensure that their sellers comply with EPR obligations in the relevant countries. This requires a significant investment of time and coordination.
Our solution:
As your partner, we support your sellers to comply with regulations.
Effectively managing EPR obligations for electronics and batteries
The challenge:
Electronics were the first waste stream regulated under EPR. In addition, several mandatory areas often overlap: packaging, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and batteries.
Our solution:
We support you with a centralized EPR solution for multiple waste streams and with specialized services where specific requirements apply.
Gain a clear understanding of complex requirements
The challenge:
B2B setups often involve complex structures and requirements that are difficult to navigate. Especially when different countries and product categories come into play, ERP can quickly become confusing.
Our solution:
We provide clarity on your EPR-related issues and offer personalized assistance in finding the right solution for your business.
The ecosistant services
For EPR, PPWR, and other recycling compliance issues.
EPR services
Extended Producer Responsibility includes obligations related to registration, volume reporting, and fees for different waste streams.
ecosistant EPR Services give you EPR Compliance in Europe across 30 European countries through a single provider. Legally compliant and efficient.
EPR Premium Service
The complete all-inclusive package. We manage the entire operational EPR process for you across Europe in up to 30 countries.
RECOMMENDED
EPR Self-Service
Digital guidance for small and medium-sized B2C online retailers that want to manage their EPR obligations independently in up to 30 European countries.
WEEE & Battery Authorized Representative Service
In Germany, foreign companies are required by law to appoint a WEEE and battery representative. ecosistant takes care of all related obligations.
Packaging Authorized Representative Service
Appointing an authorized representative is a legal obligation in Germany for foreign companies selling packaged products. ecosistant covers the related responsibilities.
WEEE & Battery Authorized Representative Service
In Germany, foreign companies are required by law to appoint a WEEE and battery representative. ecosistant takes care of all related obligations.
PPWR services
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation includes specific requirements for packaging design and documentation. Packaging EPR is one part of the PPWR and is covered by our EPR Services.
ecosistant PPWR Services help prepare your business for the EU Packaging Regulation.
PPWR Readiness Service
Ensure that your EU packaging is compliant. You receive an analysis of your packaging families, a clear report outlining your compliance gaps, templates for supplier communication and optional long-term support.
Declaration of Conformity Service
Get PPWR-compliant documentation without the stress. Choose from guided templates, expert reviews, or declarations of conformity and technical documentation fully prepared for your packaging.
Labeling service
With our Labeling Service, we provide uniform recycling labels for Europe. This includes packaging labels under the PPWR and labels for other products with specific labeling obligations.
Recycling Labeling Service
We review and develop recycling labels for your products across Europe. You receive a consistent design that helps you avoid penalties and sell with confidence.
Customer Success Stories
“ecosistant has not only taken the operational work off our hands, but also given us confidence. We know we are set up correctly in every market, and whenever something changes, we are informed proactively.”
Mirjam May
Sustainability Manager, Wolford AG
“With ecosistant, we have a partner who takes the complexity off our hands. I’m grateful to have a dedicated Key Account Manager at ecosistant who thinks ahead for us and supports us professionally.”
Laura Bauer
Product Management, T1TAN GmbH
“EPR is no longer something that slows us down. Since working with ecosistant, we only need to invest minimal time in it. That’s exactly how it should be.”
Silja
Head of Business Development, GoJungo GmbH
Frequently asked questions about working with ecosistant
What exactly is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, means that retailers that produce, import, or sell packaged products must contribute to the recycling of their packaging or products.
Simply put, retailers pay for the waste they generate in each country where that waste occurs. This involves reporting the amount of waste generated in each country and paying the corresponding fees.
EPR Compliance in Europe covers several areas:
- Packaging: Boxes, filling materials, shipping bags, and more
- Electrical and electronic equipment: The WEEE Directive for electrical and electronic equipment
- Batteries: Batteries of all types
- Textiles: Clothing, shoes, and home textiles
- Furniture: Furniture and furnishings of all kinds
The challenge is that EPR requirements vary from one European country to another. When you sell products to consumers in several European countries, you may need to complete different processes in each country.
In which countries does ecosistant offer services?
Our solutions cover the entire European Union, as well as Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Which waste streams does ecosistant cover?
ecosistant supports you with all relevant EPR waste streams:
- Packaging
- WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
- Batteries
- Textiles
- Furniture
- Single-use plastics with the Premium Service
- Sporting goods and toys in France with the Premium Service
- Additional waste streams with the Premium Service
How long does registration take?
The time required to achieve EPR Compliance in Europe varies considerably between countries and waste streams.
In some countries, your registration may take 1 to 2 business days after we receive all the required information from you. In other countries, the process may take up to 12 weeks. This is mainly due to the long processing times of certain national authorities.
What is the difference between Premium Service and Self-Service?
Self-Service: You receive digital manuals, customized to-do lists and recommendations for take-back schemes in your countries. You manage the implementation yourself.
Premium Service: We manage the entire implementation process for you. This includes registration, volume reporting, communication with recycling schemes and more. You also have a personal account manager for all your questions.
What is the PPWR?
EU Regulation 2025/40, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, introduces harmonized packaging rules across the European Union. These rules cover the entire packaging lifecycle, from production to disposal. The goal is to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040. Under the PPWR, packaging should, for example, be no larger than necessary to protect the product.
The regulation applies directly in all EU member states. It does not first need to be transposed into national law first. However, additional complexity may arise during the first months and possibly even years in which the PPWR applies. This may result from member states transitioning their processes at different times. Our expert team supports you through every challenge.
Current insights on EPR, PPWR and recycling compliance
Green Compliance as a Growth Driver: Why D2C Brands Need to Act Now
17.08.2026
What was once considered a nice-to-have has become an operational necessity. Green Compliance is now a prerequisite for market access, successful partnerships with retailers, marketplaces, and logistics providers, as well as long-term customer loyalty.
EU packaging regulation 2025/40 PPWR: what does it mean for e-commerce?
12.08.2026
The first provisions of the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) started applying from August 12, 2026. These include the obligation to use compliant packaging, follow rules on producer responsibility and appoint Authorized Representatives. We have summarized the most important points for online retailers here.