EU Industry Groups Call for Simpler EPR Rules Across Member States
Afera, the European Adhesive Tape Association, has joined a coalition of 46 industry organizations calling for simpler and more consistent extended producer responsibility rules across the European Union.
EPR programs make producers financially and operationally responsible for managing products or packaging at the end of their useful life. While these systems are intended to support collection and recycling, requirements currently vary by country, creating different registration, reporting, and fee structures for companies selling into multiple EU markets.
The coalition is asking the European Commission to address these differences through the forthcoming Circular Economy Act. Its proposals include common EU-wide requirements, simpler registration and reporting, clearer rules governing EPR fees, and stronger collection and recycling systems.
For adhesive tape manufacturers, converters, distributors, and their customers, the issue is especially relevant under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Tape companies may be affected both by the packaging materials they supply and by packaging used to place their own products on the market.
Afera noted that companies operating across several EU countries can face separate administrative and financing requirements in each market. More harmonized rules could reduce duplication while giving manufacturers clearer expectations around compliance and recycling obligations.
The coalition is also seeking more transparency regarding how producer fees are used, with contributions directed toward the collection, sorting, and recycling activities they are intended to support.
Source: Afera