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.
Benchmarking EPR systems to improve their performance.
LIFE4EPR will develop means to analyse and compare best practices in EPR systems. This “benchmarking” work will
- Enable choosing which aspect(s) of EPR to improve
- Uncover best practices for such improvements.
The work includes the mapping of all EPR systems in the EU, the development of a methodology for the benchmarking, and proposals for improving and harmonizing the benchmarked aspects of EPR systems.
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
Looking Ahead: From Concept to Pilot
Looking Ahead: From Concept to Pilot The LIFE4EPR concept represents an important milestone, but the journey towards harmonised EPR reporting continues. The project identified several complementary priorities for future harmonisation,…
Three Modules, One Integrated Solution
Three Modules, One Integrated Solution The proposed Registration and Reporting Gateway is built around three complementary modules. Module 1 – EU EPR Registration and Reporting Information Platform A central information…
Introducing the EU-LIFE4EPR Registration and Reporting Gateway
Introducing the EU-LIFE4EPR Registration and Reporting Gateway One of the main outcomes of the project is the concept of the EU-LIFE4EPR Registration and Reporting Gateway (RRG). The Gateway is a…
Why Harmonisation Matters: The Challenges Producers Face
Why Harmonisation Matters: The Challenges Producers Face Operating across multiple EU countries often means navigating multiple EPR systems simultaneously. The LIFE4EPR workshops identified several recurring barriers, including: difficulty finding reliable…
Building a Simpler Future for EPR Compliance
Building a Simpler Future for EPR Compliance The LIFE4EPR project is working towards a more harmonised and interoperable European approach to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration and reporting. Through a…
EPR Reference Database
EPR Reference Database A comprehensive online bibliography dedicated to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is now freely accessible to researchers, policymakers, industry professionals and anyone interested in exploring the evolution and…
LIFE4EPR launches the ExPeRt Hub: the European community to innovate Extended Producer Responsibility is born
LIFE4EPR launches the ExPeRt Hub: the European community to innovate Extended Producer Responsibility is born An open platform for institutions, businesses, collective schemes, researchers and civil society to improve EPR…
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…