EPR Requirements in France, Spain & Germany: What You Need to Know

If you're selling products with packaging in France, Spain, or Germany, you need to register for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and pay fees for recycling. Each country has different rules, but the basics are similar—register, report, and pay. We'll walk you through what matters for each market.

What is EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) makes companies responsible for their products' entire lifecycle, especially packaging waste. Instead of taxpayers funding recycling, the businesses that create the packaging pay for collection, sorting, and recycling.

Here's what it means for you:

• Taxually registers your company with local authorities

• You provide your EPR report quarterly / annually depending on the category’s requirement

• Taxually handles filings, and ongoing compliance

• You pay the contribution fees based on the materials and amounts you sold - we'll let you know exactly what's owed and when

• You help fund recycling systems that keep waste out of landfills

France: Comprehensive and Expanding

France has one of the most developed EPR systems in Europe, covering multiple product categories.

Available EPR categories:

• Packaging (household, commercial, and industrial)

• Textiles and footwear (clothing, shoes, household linen)

• Electronics (WEEE) (computers, phones, appliances)

• Toys and sports equipment

• DIY & Gardening

• Furniture and mattresses

• Batteries and accumulators

Who needs to register?

Any company that places products in these categories on the French market—no minimum threshold.

What's new:

From 2025, commercial and industrial packaging (B2B) is covered. Companies with over €10 million revenue must inform customers about environmental characteristics of their products.

Penalties: Fines up to €20,000 per day for non-compliance.

Spain: Recently Updated System

Spain overhauled its packaging laws in 2022, creating new registration requirements and expanding coverage to multiple product categories.

Available EPR categories:

• Packaging (household, commercial, and industrial)

• Electronics (WEEE) (electrical and electronic equipment)

• Batteries (batteries and accumulators in devices)

• Textiles (coming soon - implementation expected)

Who needs to register?

Any company placing products in these categories on the Spanish market—no minimum threshold.

Key requirements:

• Get a Spanish tax number (NIF) - foreign VAT numbers aren't accepted

• Register with a Producer Responsibility Organization like Ecoembes (packaging) or authorized electronics PROs

• Register in the national producer database

• Appoint an authorized representative if you're not based in Spain

What's changing:

From January 1, 2025, all household packaging must include sorting instructions. Producers must join collective systems by December 31, 2024.

Germany: The Most Established System

Germany's VerpackG (Packaging Act) has been in force since 2019 and covers multiple product categories through different registration systems.

Available EPR categories:

• Packaging (all types - product, shipping, commercial)

• Electronics (WEEE) (electrical and electronic equipment)

• Batteries (portable, automotive, and industrial batteries)

• Textiles (clothing and household textiles - planned)

Who needs to register?

Any business introducing products in these categories into the German market, regardless of size.

Key requirements for packaging:

• Register with LUCID at verpackungsregister.org (free)

• Join a dual system for packaging recycling (fees apply)

• Report packaging quantities annually by May 15th

• Provide your LUCID number to marketplaces

Penalties: Fines up to €200,000 and potential sales bans for non-compliance.

What Taxually Can Do for You

Managing EPR compliance across multiple countries gets complex fast. Each jurisdiction has different registration processes, reporting deadlines, and fee structures.

We help by:

• Handling registrations in France, Spain, and Germany

• Managing ongoing reporting and payments

• Ensuring you meet all labeling requirements

• Keeping you updated on regulatory changes

Ready to get compliant? We'll take care of your EPR obligations so you can focus on growing your business. Contact us to learn more about our EPR services.

Remember: These requirements apply to any business placing packaged products in these markets, regardless of where your company is based. 

Need help with EPR compliance? Taxually's team can handle your registrations, reporting, and ongoing obligations across all European markets. Get in touch to simplify your compliance.