Why do importers need to comply with EPR regulations?

Importers must comply with EPR regulations because, under EU law, their activities can be seen as “putting products on the market”. This makes them legally responsible for the collection, recycling, and reporting of the products they place on the market through EPR. Compliance ensures continued market access and prevents fines or sales restrictions.

Am I considered a “producer” under EPR laws if I import goods?

Yes. If you import products into the EU from outside the union and place them on the market, you can be legally considered the “producer” under EPR laws. This means you could be responsible for registering, reporting, and financing recycling or recovery for those products in each country where they’re sold.

Which types of imported products fall under EPR?

Imported products that typically fall under EPR include electronics, packaging, batteries, and textiles. Each category has its own rules for registration, reporting, and recycling contributions, which can vary by country and product type.

How do I register imported products for EPR compliance?

You register imported products by applying with the relevant national authority or Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in each EU country where you sell. The process involves providing company details, product categories, and sales volumes to receive a registration number. Each country has its own system, so EPR importers requirements differ between markets like France, Germany, or Italy.

What are my EPR obligations as an importer in the EU?

As an importer, your main EPR obligations can include registering your products in each relevant EU country, reporting the volumes and types of goods you place on the market, and keeping proof of compliance through documentation or annual audits.

Do I need separate EPR registrations for each country I sell in?

Yes. EPR compliance is regulated at the national level, so you need separate registrations in each EU country where you sell products. Each market has its own authorities, registration systems, and reporting requirements.

Does your software support compliance for importers across multiple countries?

Yes. ForSURE is built to manage EPR compliance across multiple EU countries from one platform. It automates reporting, keeps track of local EPR importers requirements, and ensures submissions are routed to the correct authorities or PROs in each market.

Can your platform handle different product categories (e.g. electronics, packaging, batteries)?

Yes. ForSURE supports all major EPR categories, including electronics, packaging, batteries, and textiles. The platform applies the correct rules, formats, and EPR reporting logic for each category, ensuring full compliance across all product types and markets.

Is onboarding and support available for first-time importers dealing with EPR?

Yes. ForSURE offers full onboarding and hands-on support for first-time importers. Our experts walk you through every step, from understanding the EPR software to showing you how to generate your first reports, ensuring you get set up quickly and confidently.

Do EPR importers rules apply when using fulfillment services (e.g. Amazon FBA)?

Yes. Even if you sell through fulfillment services like Amazon FBA or other 3PL providers, you still can be responsible for EPR importers compliance in each country where your products are sold. Marketplaces increasingly require proof of registration and valid EPR numbers to keep your listings active.

EPR for Importers

Importers can often be treated as producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, making them responsible for registering, reporting, and financing product recycling through EPR. With varying rules across countries and growing pressure from marketplaces, like EPR Amazon, to prove compliance, staying on top of obligations can be tough. ForSURE helps importers manage EPR importers and e-commerce businesses requirements efficiently across Europe, without the complexity.

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Why Importers Can Be
Responsible for EPR Compliance

When goods are brought into the EU from outside the bloc, the company placing them on the market becomes legally responsible for their end-of-life management. If there’s no EU-based manufacturer to take on that role, the importer is considered the “producer” under EPR laws. This means you must register with national authorities, report product volumes, and contribute to recycling schemes. Failing to comply can have serious consequences, from financial penalties to product. Staying compliant to EPR importers is about maintaining business continuity and protecting your reputation across the EU market.

EPR Obligations for Importers in the EU

Which Imported Products Fall Under EPR?

Imported goods can fall under one or more EPR categories, the most common being electronics, packaging, batteries, and textiles. Each of these product types comes with specific EPR importers requirements for registration, reporting, and recycling contributions. For example, electronics and batteries often require information about chemicals, while packaging involves detailed material reporting. These obligations also differ from country to country, meaning a compliant setup in Germany may not automatically meet requirements in France or Italy. Understanding these nuances is essential for importers operating across multiple EU markets.
How to Register Imported Products for EPR

Registering imported products for EPR begins with identifying the correct national authority or Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in each country where you sell. Once you’ve determined which categories your products fall under, you’ll need to provide company details, product information, and estimated sales volumes to obtain your registration number. Each country has its own system, for instance, France requires registration through approved PROs for packaging and electronics, while Germany uses the LUCID registry for packaging and Stiftung EAR for electronics. Staying organized and tracking these registrations across markets is crucial, as missing or incorrect entries can lead to penalties or sales restrictions.
Key Duties for EPR Importers have in the EU

Registering products for EPR importers begins with identifying the correct national authority or Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in each country where you sell. Once you’ve determined which categories your products fall under, you’ll need to provide company details, product information, and estimated sales volumes to obtain your registration number. Each country has its own system. For instance, France requires registration through approved PROs for packaging and electronics, while Germany uses the LUCID registry for packaging and Stiftung EAR for electronics. Staying organized and tracking these registrations across markets is crucial, as missing or incorrect entries can lead to penalties or sales restrictions.

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Simplify Import Compliance with EPR Software

Managing EPR importers reporting manually across multiple products and countries is time-consuming and prone to error. With ForSURE, importers can automate the entire process from one centralized platform. Real-time dashboards give you instant visibility into deadlines, reporting progress, and country-specific obligations, while automated alerts help you stay ahead of submission dates. Whether you’re handling electronics, packaging, batteries, or textiles, all reporting and compliance data live in one place, making EPR management faster, more accurate, and far less stressful.

Marketplace Sellers & Fulfillment Importers

If you sell through marketplaces like Amazon or use fulfillment services such as FBA or third-party logistics (3PL) providers, you could be responsible for meeting EPR importers requirements in each country where your products are sold. Marketplaces are increasingly enforcing compliance by requiring valid registration numbers before allowing listings to remain active. ForSURE simplifies this process by integrating your compliance data and automating report submissions to the correct authorities. All documentation and proof of submission are securely stored, giving you audit-proof records and ensuring you meet both legal and platform EPR importers requirements with confidence.

Get Started with Compliance for EPR Importers

Start managing your EPR importers obligations with confidence. ForSURE helps importers to report and stay compliant across all EU markets, without the manual complexity. Our team guides you through onboarding, ensuring your setup is tailored to your products and markets. Book a personalized demo, and take the first step toward effortless EPR compliance.

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A professional woman sitting at a desk in an office setting, intently working on solving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) challenges.

FAQ About EPR for Importers

Why do importers need to comply with EPR regulations?

Importers must comply with EPR regulations because, under EU law, their activities can be seen as “putting products on the market”. This makes them legally responsible for the collection, recycling, and reporting of the products they place on the market through EPR. Compliance ensures continued market access and prevents fines or sales restrictions.
Am I considered a “producer” under EPR laws if I import goods?

Yes. If you import products into the EU from outside the union and place them on the market, you can be legally considered the “producer” under EPR laws. This means you could be responsible for registering, reporting, and financing recycling or recovery for those products in each country where they’re sold.
Which types of imported products fall under EPR?

Imported products that typically fall under EPR include electronics, packaging, batteries, and textiles. Each category has its own rules for registration, reporting, and recycling contributions, which can vary by country and product type.
How do I register imported products for EPR compliance?

You register imported products by applying with the relevant national authority or Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in each EU country where you sell. The process involves providing company details, product categories, and sales volumes to receive a registration number. Each country has its own system, so EPR importers requirements differ between markets like France, Germany, or Italy.
What are my EPR obligations as an importer in the EU?

As an importer, your main EPR obligations can include registering your products in each relevant EU country, reporting the volumes and types of goods you place on the market, and keeping proof of compliance through documentation or annual audits.
Do I need separate EPR registrations for each country I sell in?

Yes. EPR compliance is regulated at the national level, so you need separate registrations in each EU country where you sell products. Each market has its own authorities, registration systems, and reporting requirements.
Does your software support compliance for importers across multiple countries?

Yes. ForSURE is built to manage EPR compliance across multiple EU countries from one platform. It automates reporting, keeps track of local EPR importers requirements, and ensures submissions are routed to the correct authorities or PROs in each market.
Can your platform handle different product categories (e.g. electronics, packaging, batteries)?

Yes. ForSURE supports all major EPR categories, including electronics, packaging, batteries, and textiles. The platform applies the correct rules, formats, and EPR reporting logic for each category, ensuring full compliance across all product types and markets.
Is onboarding and support available for first-time importers dealing with EPR?

Yes. ForSURE offers full onboarding and hands-on support for first-time importers. Our experts walk you through every step, from understanding the EPR software to showing you how to generate your first reports, ensuring you get set up quickly and confidently.
Do EPR importers rules apply when using fulfillment services (e.g. Amazon FBA)?

Yes. Even if you sell through fulfillment services like Amazon FBA or other 3PL providers, you still can be responsible for EPR importers compliance in each country where your products are sold. Marketplaces increasingly require proof of registration and valid EPR numbers to keep your listings active.

EPR News Hub

EPR in Germany

December 10, 2025Isaak Siebenga
Sell in Germany without compliance surprises. EPR requires producers, importers, and online sellers to register (LUCID, Stiftung EAR), report volumes and recycling under VerpackG, ElektroG, and BattG. Learn costs, deadlines, and how ForSURE automates reporting.
EPR in the Netherlands (UPV Explained)

December 2, 2025Isaak Siebenga
Navigate Dutch EPR with confidence. UPV makes producers responsible for registration, reporting, and funding collection and recycling for packaging, textiles, electronics, batteries, and more. Learn your obligations, key categories, and how ForSURE simplifies compliance.
Understanding the EPR Stakeholder Ecosystem: A ...

November 3, 2025Isaak Siebenga
Discover key insights from our new EPR Stakeholders Whitepaper, exploring how collaboration between producers, PROs, and regulators can simplify compliance, reduce complexity, and drive a smarter approach to EPR in 2025.

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