EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

PPWR includes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements, which concern waste management and environmental sustainability. PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste and ensure that all packaging placed on the EU market is designed to be recyclable. The regulation applies to all types of packaging, including product packaging, shipping packaging, and commercial packaging.

If you're a business seller who's considered a packaging producer under PPWR rules, you may need to register with national packaging authorities and add your packaging registration numbers to your account. Your listings may be hidden from buyers in countries where your packaging registration number is missing or invalid, and you may also be subject to sanctions from local authorities.

Packaging producers

Business sellers who are considered a packaging producer must comply with PPWR rules. You may be considered a packaging producer if any of the following apply:

• You’re the first to make packaged products available in a specific EU country
• You’re selling packaged products directly to end users in an EU country from another country
  • A packaged product is generally any physical item sold with packaging. The regulation covers the packaging itself, not the product category. For more details on what packaging is covered, see the Packaging covered by PPWR section below
• You import packaged products into a specific EU country and are the first to make them available there
• You sell products under your own brand and are the first to place those packaged products on the market in an EU country

To check if you’re considered a packaging producer in a certain EU country, we recommend consulting with local regulatory authorities or your legal advisor.

Alternatively, you can check if you’re considered a packaging producer in a certain EU country by visiting our partner Lizenzero’s PPWR Compliance Made Easy - opens in new window or tab page, and following the link Get started now with a free check.

Tip
It's possible to be considered a packaging producer in one EU country but not another. You’ll need to comply with the regulation in each EU country where you’re considered a packaging producer.

How to comply

If you're a packaging producer, here's what you need to do:

• Register with the relevant national producer registry - opens in new window or tab in each EU country where you're considered a packaging producer to obtain your packaging registration number
• Appoint an Authorised Representative if necessary
  • An Authorised Representative may be required if you sell into an EU country where you aren’t established, and can carry out compliance obligations on your behalf, such as registration, reporting, and paying applicable fees
• Add your EPR numbers to your eBay account and certify that your packaging meets the applicable requirements
• Submit all mandatory reports and pay all obligatory fees under the relevant national packaging scheme

To ensure you're compliant, we recommend consulting the relevant national authority or your legal advisor.

Alternatively, our partner Lizenzero also offers support for compliance, including registration and reporting, for a fee. For more information, visit Lizenzero’s PPWR Compliance Made Easy - opens in new window or tab page. Alternative compliance service providers are also available.

Adding your packaging registration number

Once you've obtained a packaging registration number, you can add it to your account. Here's how:

1. Go to Account Settings - opens in new window or tab and select Business Info.
   • This can only be done on a computer or tablet, not a mobile phone
2. Go to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration numbers and select Add or Manage.
   • This will open a page where you manage your EPR numbers
3. Select the country and the Packaging category from the drop-down menu, then add your packaging registration number in the EPR number entry box.
4. Select the checkbox to certify that your packaging meets the applicable requirements.
5. Select Add.

This process must be completed individually for each country where you have a packaging registration number. Once you add the packaging registration number to your account, eBay will automatically add it to all of your listings.

Packaging covered by PPWR

PPWR applies to all types of new and used packaging placed on the EU market for the first time. Packaging covered by PPWR includes, but may not be limited to, the following types of packaging:

• Product packaging: the packaging that comes directly with the item, for example, the box, wrapper, or container a customer receives with their order
• Grouped packaging: packaging used to bundle several items together, such as a cardboard tray holding multiple boxes or a shrink-wrapped multipack. It can be removed without affecting the individual products inside
• Shipping packaging: packaging used to handle, transport, or deliver one or more products, such as a large shipping box or pallet wrap. Standard transport containers, such as those used for road, rail, sea, and air, are not included
• Service packaging: packaging that is filled at the time of purchase, such as a paper bag, takeaway box, or wrapping provided directly to the customer at point of sale
• Composite packaging: packaging made of different materials that are permanently bonded together and cannot be separated by hand, for example, a juice carton with an inner plastic lining

Helpful links

For more information about how the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation may affect your selling on eBay, see the helpful links below:

• EU packaging and packaging waste - opens in new window or tab

Tip
Depending on your selling activity, you may need to comply with multiple regulations at one time. For more information, see our article on Understanding regulations when selling on eBay.