10 Golden Rules for EPR
Based on these 10 rules, the EPR compliance scheme should bring significant added value across the product life cycle in terms of packaging optimisation and packaging waste recycling, while actively contributing to an optimum cost-efficient and transparent packaging waste management.
- The essence of EPR is the producer’s responsibility for a product throughout its life cycle
- EPR compliance schemes should be run and steered by the obliged companies
- EPR compliance schemes should be not-for-profit / profit-not-for-distribution
- Collectors, sorters or recyclers of waste should not be active as EPR systems
- There should be a strong EPR legal framework enforced by public authorities
- Successful EPR must be based on a partnership between public authorities and EPR providers
- There should be a level playing field for the provision of EPR services in a given territory
- Obliged companies should receive equal treatment and share the allocation of EPR costs
- The industry-owned EPR organisation should pursue a public service mission
- EPR organisations should support obliged companies to improve the environmental performance of their products and packaging