LIFE4EPR – towards harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility schemes across the EU

Introduction

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) supplements the "polluter pays" principle by holding manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products and packaging. While EPR is mandated in EU laws like the Waste Framework Directive (Article 8a), its implementation varies across Member States. Currently, a comprehensive overview of EPR schemes at the national level is lacking, creating a gap for policymakers as well as other stakeholders (from producers and recyclers to consumers) that are involved in EPR.

Project Overview

The project LIFE4EPR – towards harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility schemes across the EU – is designed in response to three main findings regarding EPR schemes in the EU:

1. The absence of an EU-wide overview of EPR schemes at Member State level.
2. The lack of harmonization among existing producers/products’ registers.
3. The lack of knowledge on the environmental effectiveness of EPR programmes.

Project Objectives

In view of these findings, the project aims to enhance the effectiveness, governance, and cost efficiency of EPR schemes by:

• Studying current practices.
• Developing a technical tool.
• Delivering policy recommendations.

Through stakeholder engagement, the project will map EPR schemes, benchmark case studies, and test a harmonized EU-wide register. Findings will inform policy guidance for national EPR schemes. A lasting impact will be ensured by creating a knowledge-sharing community of academia, practitioners, and stakeholders focused on EPR.

Consortium

The consortium includes ENT, as project coordinator, along with ACR+, WEEE Forum, Zero Waste Europe, ECO, SOTELO, and VUB. Together, they bring a rich mix of academic and industry expertise in EPR systems, circular economy, and digital solutions. Their collaborative efforts will:

• Map existing schemes.
• Test an EU-wide register.
• Engage stakeholders to ensure policy improvements and long-term knowledge sharing.