National Authorities Offer Help for Online Sellers to Ensure Compliance in Waste Management
If you sell products online to consumers in the Nordic and Baltic countries, you must fulfill a legal obligation known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means you must manage the waste your products create. To help you understand these rules, national EPR authorities have launched a website and are hosting a webinar.
As online shopping continues to grow, national EPR authorities are concerned that many sellers unknowingly violate their waste management obligations.
- Within the last year, we have seen a significant increase in e-commerce in our region, especially from Asian sellers, says Head of division, Thomas Bangsgaard Vestergaard from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2024, 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued up to EUR 150 entering the EU originated from China, accounting for more than 4 billion shipments. Many of these shipments were delivered to the Nordic and Baltic countries.
The trend has prompted closer collaboration among the Nordic and Baltic authorities. “As national EPR authorities, we are joining forces to raise awareness and support foreign businesses in understanding their obligations”, says Vestergaard.
What is EPR?
EU-wide EPR legislation requires that businesses take charge of the collection, management, and recycling of waste generated by the products they place on the market. This obligation also applies to online sellers, regardless of where they are based.
In the Nordic and Baltic countries, EPR covers packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, single-use plastic products, fishing gear containing plastic and vehicles along with several country-specific product groups. Future additions to EPR regulations on the EU level will include textiles, shoes, pharmaceutical products, and cosmetics.
- Many online sellers don’t realize that selling even small amounts of products covered by EPR regulations—such as any packaged goods— to consumers makes them responsible for waste management in the destination country. This lack of awareness leads to unfair costs for companies that already follow the rules, says Head of Group, EPR Mika Heinonen from the Finnish Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
What happens if you don’t comply with EPR rules?
National authorities work closely together to make sure that companies take care of their EPR obligations. If a company intentionally fails to comply despite being informed of its obligations, it may face consequences.
- To avoid sanctions or restrictions on market access we invite companies to join our upcoming webinar tailored for distance sellers. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of EPR obligations and guide you through the necessary steps to ensure compliance. We’ll also introduce the latest EU regulations, says Ivo Jaanisoo, Deputy Secretary General for Living Environment and Circular Economy of the Ministry of Climate of Estonia.
Join the Webinar for Distance Sellers
Join a free event on 3 December to learn more!
For more information on EPR compliance and how to fulfill your obligations, visit:
Media Contact:
Tiina Vermaete, Senior Officer, Finnish Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Email: tiina.vermaete(a)ely-keskus.fi