Summary

Whether you're selling packaging, electronics, or batteries: if your products reach customers in Germany, you're legally responsible for their entire lifecycle. That’s what Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) demands. In this blog, we break down what companies need to know in 2025, how registration works, what happens in case of non-compliance – and how koorvi helps turn legal duties into scalable systems.
Digital illustration showing the German and EU flags, a cardboard box and a laptop – visualizing EPR regulation updates in Germany and Europe.

What does EPR actually mean?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory framework that makes companies accountable for their products from cradle to grave – including collection, take-back, recycling, and safe disposal. The goal is simple: reduce waste, promote recycling, conserve resources.

In Germany, EPR is implemented through specific laws:

  • The Packaging Act (VerpackG)
  • The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG)
  • The Battery Act (BattG)

These laws define how companies must register, report, finance, and manage the post-consumer phase of their products.

Textiles are also becoming increasingly relevant: under the EU Circular Economy Package, the European Commission plans to introduce mandatory EPR for textiles – likely effective in 2025/2026. That means brands in fashion and home textiles should already be preparing to build take-back, sorting, and recycling structures. France has shown how EPR for textiles can work – and Germany is following.

Who is affected?

In short: every business placing regulated products on the German market. This includes:

  • Domestic manufacturers based in Germany
  • Importers delivering goods to Germany
  • Online sellers and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Zalando
  • Foreign direct-to-consumer brands shipping to German customers

Even small businesses and startups are not exempt. Since 2022, many platforms like Amazon have made EPR proof mandatory for sellers to stay live. So compliance isn't just a legal topic – it's also about business continuity.

What do companies need to do to stay compliant with EPR?

The path to EPR compliance is well-defined, but not without effort. Here’s what businesses need to do:

1. Register with the relevant authorities

Depending on the product category, companies must register with different bodies:

  • Packaging: Central Packaging Register (LUCID)
  • Electronics & Batteries: Stiftung EAR

Registration is mandatory and the basis for legal distribution.

2. Apply for an EPR registration number

Each product category (packaging, electronics, batteries) requires a separate number. This acts as proof of compliance for authorities, platforms, and partners.

3. Report product volumes

Companies must regularly declare the types and quantities of goods they place on the market – by weight, material, and product class.

4. Pay license fees

Fees are calculated based on declared volumes and product types. They fund the collection, sorting, and recycling of waste via Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

5. Meet recycling quotas

Minimum recycling rates apply by law depending on product category. Companies must ensure their systems meet those thresholds.

Step-by-step guide to becoming EPR-compliant in Germany in 2025 – including icons for registration, EPR number, product data, license fees, and recycling targets.
This is how you can comply with the EPR regulations in Germany in 2025.

What happens if you don’t comply?

Non-compliance can be costly. Consequences include:

  • Sales bans on German marketplaces and retailers
  • Fines up to €200,000
  • Legal warnings from competitors under unfair competition law
  • Reputational damage, especially for brands with sustainability claims

Platforms like Amazon and Zalando now strictly require EPR compliance. No proof = no sales.

EPR as a strategic opportunity: more than just compliance

EPR is often viewed as a legal burden. But with the right perspective, it becomes a business asset:

  • Trade-in programs and credit systems improve customer loyalty
  • Take-back and reuse models create secondary revenue streams
  • Brands gain more control over material flows and supply chains
  • And EPR can become a proof point for sustainability in brand positioning

👉 See how Apple uses EPR and trade-ins to grow revenue.

How koorvi helps companies manage EPR

koorvi isn’t just a tool for compliance. It’s a full infrastructure for circular business models. Our platform helps you go from obligation to opportunity:

  • Digital return and registration forms integrated with CRM/ERP
  • Automated product volume tracking & fee calculation
  • Item-level tracking by category and origin
  • Integrated network of recycling, logistics, and refurbishment partners
  • Compliant documentation for EAR, LUCID, and marketplaces

EPR doesn’t have to be a hassle. With koorvi, it becomes a competitive advantage. Let's speak!

FAQs

Is an EPR number mandatory?

Yes. Without registration via LUCID (packaging) or EAR (electronics/batteries), you can’t legally sell in Germany. Marketplaces like Amazon actively verify this.

Which products fall under EPR?

All product packaging, electronic devices with plugs or batteries, and all battery types. Textiles and furniture are increasingly included under new EU legislation.

How do I get an EPR number?

Register with the appropriate authority (e.g. LUCID), provide your company and product details, confirm the volumes, and receive your registration number.

What does an EPR number cost?

Registration itself is often free. License fees vary depending on material, weight, and volume. These fees fund collection and recycling.

What happens without EPR proof?

Sales bans, fines, legal warnings, and marketplace account suspensions. Especially critical for international sellers.

Are there costs for registering with LUCID (Packaging Register)?

Registration, data submission, and maintenance via LUCID are completely free of charge. However, license fees must still be paid to a PRO based on packaging type, volume, and weight.

What strategic value does EPR offer?

EPR enables circular systems like trade-ins and reuse, improves supply chain visibility, and supports the launch of second-hand or recycling-driven models.