ENT
Based in Spain
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Unlocking the Full Potential of EPR in Europe
LIFE4EPR is a European-funded project (LIFE programme) dedicated to strengthening and harmonising Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across the EU. At its core lies the creation and testing of a pilot European EPR register — a digital platform designed to assess the feasibility of a more coordinated, transparent, and efficient approach to EPR governance.
A European EPR Register: One Step Closer to Harmonisation
The pilot register will explore key governance, technical, and financial dimensions of EPR implementation at the EU level. Its goal: to lay the foundation for a future Europe-wide system that enables better monitoring, compliance, and data sharing between national authorities and stakeholders.
Mapping National Realities to Build a Common Future
To guide this effort, LIFE4EPR will first conduct a detailed mapping of existing EPR schemes across EU Member States. This analysis will uncover:
- Strengths and best practices
- Ongoing challenges
- Critical data and enforcement gaps
These insights will help identify where harmonisation can bring the most value, and support evidence-based policy development.
Engaging Stakeholders. Empowering Change.
Communication and engagement are central to LIFE4EPR’s mission. The project aims to:
- Raise awareness among producers, citizens, and institutions
- Clarify roles and responsibilities within the EPR framework
- Promote a culture of circularity, transparency, and accountability
By connecting stakeholders and supporting shared understanding, LIFE4EPR contributes to building a more circular and sustainable Europe.
Partners
Work packages
Work package 1
Project Management and coordination
Work package 2
EPR schemes: EU State of Play
Work package 3
EU-wide harmonized register of producers/products subject to EPR obligations
Work package 4
Networking and co-creation, stakeholder consultation, and policy recommendations
Work package 5
Communication and dissemination of results. Sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results
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Updates
Turning ExPeRt Hub insights into real policy and operational impact
Turning ExPeRt Hub insights into real policy and operational impact As mentioned, one concrete mechanism we envision is the stakeholder consultation, the outcome of which would be integrated into policy…
Why dialogue across academia, PROs, institutions, and industry matters
Why dialogue across academia, PROs, institutions, and industry matters We consider the dialogue among various stakeholders to be critical in enriching the societal capacity to develop and implement EPR systems…
LIFE4EPR ExPeRt Hub Main Mission
LIFE4EPR ExPeRt Hub Main Mission The overarching mission of ExPeRt Hub is to enhance the quality and implementation of EPR policies. The Hub seeks to do so by providing a…
The long-term impact of the ExPeRt Hub
The long-term impact of the ExPeRt Hub In the short and medium term, ExPeRt Hub will convene a series of stakeholder consultations on aspects of EPR systems that we consider…
How ExPeRt Hub can strengthen EPR for a more circular economy
How ExPeRt Hub can strengthen EPR for a more circular economy We believe a key rationale for producers to bear responsibility for end-of-life management of their products is their ability…
Vrije Universiteit Brussel and its role in the LIFE4EPR project
Vrije Universiteit Brussel and its role in the LIFE4EPR project The Centre for Environment, Economy and Energy (3E) at the Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), conducts interdisciplinary…
A message to future ExPeRt Hub stakeholders
What message would you like to share with stakeholders who are not yet part of the ExPeRt Hub? If you are interested in networking and sharing ideas with various actors…
LIFE4EPR project Brochure Now Available
We are excited to announce the release of the first general Life4EPR project brochure. This document provides an overview of the project’s objectives, activities, and expected outcomes. LIFE4EPR aims to…
LIFE4EPR project: publication of an in-depth analysis of existing national EPR registers across the Member States
The LIFE4EPR project has just released Deliverable 3.1, an assessment of selected national EPR producer and product registers across EU Member States. The publication comes at a moment when Extended Producer Responsibility is expanding…
Meet Our Partners
Meet Our Partners Behind every successful European project there is strong cooperation, shared vision and a wealth of complementary expertise. This is why LIFE4EPR is launching “Meet Our Partners”, a…
EPR Club Event
EPR Club Event As part of the LIFE4EPR project, we are developing ExPeRt, a knowledge hub designed to bring together academia, practitioners, and stakeholders in the EPR field into a…
LIFE4EPR Project: first european mapping of the waste management systems
715 entries mapped in just three months (including Producer Responsibility Organisations and national registers) covering the management of 26 waste streams (such as packaging, WEEE, batteries, textiles, and single-use plastics)…