EU Faces Pressure to Streamline EPR Rules with Digital One-Stop Shop
A new push for digital solutions aims to simplify the EU’s complex rules on extended producer responsibility (EPR). Industry leaders and organisations are calling for a centralised system to ease administrative burdens on businesses and authorities. The proposal comes as companies struggle with fragmented legislation across Member States. Packaging Europe has released a detailed report on global EPR regulations, highlighting ongoing challenges. Research from Amazon shows that e-commerce sellers find it difficult to navigate registration rules across different EU countries. These inconsistencies create extra work for producers and slow down compliance.
In response, a joint statement signed by Europen and other groups urges the EU to adopt a digital One-Stop Shop. This platform would act as a single entry point for all EPR schemes, allowing producers to submit data once. The system would then validate, translate, and share the information with relevant authorities, reducing duplication and errors. Mark Sayers, founder of CircuMetrics, points out that even with progress, more work is needed on standardising EPR fees. He argues for a harmonised eco-modulation framework based on recyclability performance. The signatories also stress that digital tools must play a central role in streamlining EPR under the upcoming Circular Economy Act. The proposed One-Stop Shop would enable seamless data exchange between companies and regulators. By cutting red tape, it aims to make compliance simpler and more efficient across all Member States.
The call for a digital One-Stop Shop reflects growing frustration with the EU’s fragmented EPR rules. If adopted, the system could reduce paperwork for businesses and improve coordination between authorities. The next steps depend on whether policymakers integrate these proposals into the Circular Economy Act.
