Many online retailers are now familiar with it: the EPR registration number. Anyone selling on Amazon in the EU must, depending on the product and country, demonstrate that they have fulfilled their obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). In this article, we explain in simple, easy-to-understand terms what the EPR registration number for Amazon entails, when you need it, and what you should keep in mind.
Content:
- Extended Producer Responsibility: What is an EPR registration number?
- This is how to obtain the EPR registration number for Amazon
- EPR registration number for Germany
- EPR registration number for France
- EPR registration number for Austria
- EPR registration number for Italy
- EPR registration number for Spain
- EPR registration number for batteries
- EPR registration number for Amazon: Here’s how the process works
- Services for EPR compliance in Europe
- FAQ: EPR registration number for Amazon sellers
Extended Producer Responsibility: What is an EPR registration number?
Any business that produces, imports, or sells (packaged) products in the EU is obligated to pay for the recycling of its packaging or products. This is the principle of “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR). It is deeply grounded in the EU packaging waste regulation, WEEE directive, or other waste legislation of the EU. The result is that the responsibility for the waste of a product is transferred to the party that sells it.
The rules governing this are not uniform across Europe. While there are common EU frameworks, the specific implementation varies from country to country. Anyone selling through Amazon or other marketplaces must therefore always check which national requirements apply.
You will typically receive an EPR registration number for Amazon and other marketplaces once you have fulfilled your obligations for a specific country. For sellers, this means in practice that it is generally not the platform that determines whether you are subject to these requirements, but rather the applicable national law. Amazon will then request the appropriate proof.
This is how to obtain the EPR registration number for Amazon
Packaging, electrical appliances (WEEE), and batteries as well as other waste streams are subject to EPR registration requirements. Amazon has been deleting listings of sellers that cannot prove their EPR-compliance since 2022 in Germany and France. Since then, a couple more countries have been affected. Starting in August 2026, marketplaces will have to make sure their sellers that sell to any and all of the EU countries meet packaging EPR requirements under the new packaging regulation (PPWR).
As a proof of compliance, Amazon requires the sellers’ EPR registration number. You can obtain this number by registering with EPR schemes that will handle the recycling of your packaging and products in these countries.
The exact process for obtaining the relevant EPR registration number depends on the country where you sell and the product category in question. In some cases, for example, you register through a take-back system; in others, through an authorized representative.
If you purchase from a domestic wholesaler, they may already be required to register. In that case, you can often use the supplier’s registration number, provided you receive valid proof of registration. If you do not receive such proof, you should not simply leave the matter unresolved. You must then check whether you yourself are required to register.
Our digital compliance guides explain how to apply for an EPR registration number. There, you’ll find specific step-by-step instructions for each country.
Need help applying for your EPR registration numbers for Amazon? We’re here to help! With the ecosistant Premium Service, we’ll obtain your EPR numbers for you. With the ecosistant Self-Service, you’ll receive practical step-by-step instructions for applying for your EPR numbers on your own.
EPR registration number for Germany
Packaging, electronics (WEEE), and batteries are subject to EPR registration in Germany. Amazon has banned listings without valid registrations from their marketplace since July 2022. The required packaging EPR number is the registration number in the German packaging waste register LUCID. The number for electronics and batteries is the respective registration number from the German Stiftung Ear (WEEE-Reg.-Nr.DE and Batt-Reg.-Nr. DE).
Important for Amazon sellers: If the correct registration number is missing, your listings may be restricted or suspended. That’s why you should verify your registration early on, especially if you sell across multiple product categories.
Is this affecting you? With our digital Self-Service, you’ll receive free step-by-step instructions for registering in Germany. All you need is a forecast of your packaging volumes for the current calendar year. As part of our service, you’ll also receive a 10% discount on the packaging license from a dual system.
Amazon has already started cancelling listings on the German marketplace since 15 June 2022 for sellers who do not have a valid LUCID number. From July 2023, Amazon and other marketplaces will also delete listings without valid WEEE-registration-number. Do you sell electronics in Germany? Don’t lose time, because unlike the LUCID-number which you can get on the same day, sellers often wait several weeks for their WEEE-reg.-number. Better start your registration now and be ahead of your competitors! Our digital Self-Service also includes a step-by-step guide for WEEE EPR in Germany.
EPR registration number for France
In France, in addition to packaging, electronics, and batteries, you must also register other products, such as furniture, mattresses, textiles, and shoes. A separate registration is required for each of these waste streams.
In France, after registering with the relevant take-back systems, producers receive a so-called Unique Identification Number, or UIN for short. This unique number indicates that a company is registered for the relevant waste stream and is fulfilling its EPR obligations. You must provide exactly this number (or numbers) to Amazon. If you are required to register for multiple product categories, you will receive multiple UINs.
The UIN must not only be provided to Amazon and other marketplaces, but must also be listed on your own website and in your Terms and Conditions or similar contractual documents.
Additionally, there is a specific recycling symbol for packaging in France. Find more information in this blog article:
The Triman Logo: Obligations for e-commerce in France
EPR registration number for Austria
In Austria, online retailers are subject to EPR obligations for packaging, electrical equipment (WEEE) and batteries. If you sell products in these categories to customers in Austria, you must comply with national requirements, even if you do not have a registered office in Austria. Companies without a registered office in Austria are also required to appoint an Authorized Representative. This makes the process even more complex.
Amazon requires online retailers selling in the relevant categories to provide proof of compliance and contract numbers for their take-back systems. For WEEE and batteries, the Austrian GLN (Global Location Number) must be provided; for packaging, a so-called VKS number is required. You will receive these after successfully registering with the relevant authorities.
EPR registration number for Italy
Italy is a special case: unlike in Germany, France, or Austria, there is no legal EPR obligation for foreign retailers when it comes to packaging. This means that companies from abroad can theoretically sell in Italy without EPR registration for packaging.
However, Amazon is taking its own approach. The marketplace introduced mandatory EPR numbers for various product categories from the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026. Since then, sellers must provide the relevant numbers when selling products in the respective category. WEEE numbers were required by December 31, 2025, and numbers for packaging, batteries, tires, oils, and polyethylene by March 31, 2026.
Anyone who does not enter the relevant numbers in time will automatically be included in Amazon’s “Pay on Behalf” service. This means that not only will the EPR fees be charged, but also an additional service fee, which Amazon will debit directly. Anyone who wants to avoid this should obtain the relevant EPR numbers in good time.
EPR registration number for Spain
In Spain, extended producer responsibility obligations for packaging have been in force since January 1, 2023, and since October 2024, these obligations also apply to tobacco products with disposable plastic filters and batteries. If you sell on Amazon.es and are considered a producer (even if you are not based in Spain), you must submit a separate EPR registration number (ERN) for each product category and register with the respective take-back systems. If an ERN is missing, Amazon will automatically collect the environmental fees on your behalf (“Pay on Behalf”). Sellers not based in Spain must also appoint an authorized representative. Failure to comply may result in the suspension of offers.
Important: Each product category requires its own registration numbers; cross-category use is not possible.
Need individual help?
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EPR registration number for batteries
For batteries sold on online marketplaces such as Amazon, producers in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, as well as Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland are required to apply for a battery registration number. Registration is carried out either directly with the relevant authorities or via Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO). In addition to registration, regular reporting of sold amounts and payment of environmental fees in accordance with local regulations are mandatory. Unregistered retailers risk having their offers blocked. Resellers without producer status must provide at least one valid battery registration number from their supplier and inform Amazon of this.
If you sell batteries or electronic devices, you should check the applicable national deadlines and responsibilities well in advance. In this area, in particular, the registration process often takes longer than it does for packaging.
According to the EU Battery Regulation, producers who sell batteries in a country where they are not based must appoint an Authorized Representative based there. Registration is then carried out via this Authorized Representative. As the individual EU member states are currently still in the process of adapting their national requirements to the regulation, there are still no clear procedures for appointing Authorized Representatives in some cases.
According to a proposal by the European Commission, the requirement is also set to be suspended until 2035 for companies based within the EU. However, this proposal has yet to be adopted and is therefore not yet legally binding. It is advisable to obtain information from a specialist consultant like ecosistant or a local Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) about the current registration procedures and obligations in the respective country.
EPR registration number for Amazon: Here’s how the process works
The exact procedure varies by country and waste stream, but can be summarized as follows:
- You determine which EPR obligations apply to your products.
- You determine in which country you are required to register for which waste streams.
- You register with the competent authority, a take-back system, or an authorized representative.
- You will receive your number after successful registration.
- You must provide the number to Amazon when requested.
The biggest challenge lies primarily in understanding the relevant responsibilities, product categories, and country-specific regulations.
Important: Registration always entails ongoing reporting obligations. This means that after receiving your EPR number, you must regularly report your sales volumes to the relevant authorities and pay the corresponding recycling fees. This is the core of the extended producer responsibility.
Services for EPR compliance in Europe
Does all this sound complicated? Don’t worry, we can help you, tailored to your needs. Whether with practical step-by-step instructions or by taking over all your EPR obligations in Europe, we provide reliable support and ensure that your online shop is EPR-compliant at all times. This allows you to focus on your core business while we manage the paperwork and complex requirements for you.
FAQ: EPR registration number for Amazon sellers
An EPR registration number is a unique identification code that proves you have fulfilled your Extended Producer Responsibility obligations. This number serves as evidence that you have registered with an EPR scheme and are paying for the recycling of your packaging, electronics, batteries, or other products. It is sometimes required by marketplaces like Amazon and eBay to verify that sellers comply with environmental regulations.
EPR stands for “Extended Producer Responsibility.” The underlying principle is that companies should take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products. This includes take-back, recycling, and disposal.
Producers generally fulfill these obligations by registering with a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), to which they pay recycling fees based on their sales volumes. The PROs use these fees to manage waste collection, sorting, and recycling.
Yes, starting in August 2026, marketplaces must ensure their sellers meet packaging EPR requirements across all EU countries under the new packaging regulation (PPWR). There are also EPR obligations for electronics (WEEE), batteries, and other EPR-regulated items in the EU.
Yes, for batteries sold on online marketplaces such as Amazon, producers in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, as well as Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland are required to apply for a battery registration number. Registration is carried out either directly with the relevant authorities or via Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO). In addition to registration, regular reporting of sold amounts and payment of environmental fees in accordance with local regulations are mandatory. According to the EU Battery Regulation, producers who sell batteries in a country where they are not based must appoint an Authorized Representative based there. Registration is then carried out via this Authorized Representative.
This is often a source of confusion: “EPR registration number” is a general term. Depending on the country and product type, Amazon may require different forms of proof.
These may include, for example:
- a packaging registration number,
- a WEEE registration number for electrical appliances,
- a battery registration number,
- or a country-specific EPR number, such as the UIN number in France or the VKS number in Austria.
Your EPR registration number is provided in the official confirmation documents or letters you receive after registering with an EPR scheme or authority. For Germany, your packaging EPR number is your LUCID registration number, which you can find in the LUCID Packaging Register. For electronics and batteries in Germany, check your confirmation from Stiftung Ear. You can also verify your number on the relevant authority’s website or database.
You apply by registering with the relevant EPR authority or Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in each country where you sell. The registration process varies by country. Some require direct registration with authorities, while others work through PRO schemes.
For Germany, you register in the LUCID Packaging Register and with a Dual System. For France, you register with specific recycling schemes that issue your UIN (EPR number). Foreign companies may need to appoint an Authorized Representative.
EPR numbers are issued by national authorities or Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO). Examples include the LUCID Packaging Register and Stiftung Ear in Germany, various recycling schemes in France, ARA and UFH in Austria, and country-specific PRO systems in Spain, Italy, and other EU countries. Service providers like ecosistant can help you navigate the registration process and obtain your numbers with tailored step-by-step guides.
Amazon and other marketplaces will delete or suspend your product listings if you cannot provide a valid EPR registration number. In some countries like Italy and Spain, if you don’t submit your EPR number, Amazon will automatically enroll you in their “Pay on Behalf” service, charging you EPR fees plus additional service fees. Beyond marketplace restrictions, you may face legal penalties.
No, each country has its own EPR schemes and registration requirements. You need separate EPR registration numbers for each country where you sell. Additionally, each product category (packaging, batteries, WEEE) usually requires its own registration number. Cross-category use is not possible.
If you buy products from a retailer within the same country where you sell, that retailer should already be registered. In this case, Amazon requests the EPR number of your upstream supplier as proof of compliance. However, if you cannot obtain this proof from your supplier, you still need to register with an EPR scheme yourself.
Questions about EPR numbers? Contact ecosistant’s EPR experts for individual advice. We will help you implement all the necessary steps to obtain your EPR number.
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Packaging law in Spain: Guidelines for e-commerce