European Parliament Backs Targeted EPR Representative Relief For Small EU Producers

The European Parliament has adopted amendments proposing temporary relief from specified extended producer responsibility (EPR) authorised-representative requirements. Its 20 October text limits that relief to micro and small enterprises established in the EU.

The amendments concern producers selling covered products into another Member State where they are not established. They cover textiles, textile-related products and footwear, electrical and electronic equipment, and specified single-use plastic products.

Underlying EPR Duties Would Remain

Parliament’s text would preserve registration, reporting, financial contributions, guarantees and participation in EPR schemes. It would exclude from the suspension producers that split or restructure their activities for the purpose of benefiting from it.

The amendments address authorised representatives under the Waste Framework, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, and Single-Use Plastics Directives. They do not create a general packaging exemption or extend the relief to medium and large enterprises.

Negotiations Continue

The proposed suspension would last until 1 January 2035 or the earlier application of an EU horizontal EPR framework that includes authorised-representative rules.

Parliament referred the file back to committee for interinstitutional negotiations. The adopted amendments are a negotiating text, not a final directive, and do not themselves suspend current obligations.