EPR fees in Europe: What brands need to know in 2026

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This uncertainty matters. EPR fees are no longer a simple administrative step, they influence packaging costs, recyclability decisions, and market access. To help producers regain clarity, we created the Packa EPR Fees Guide, a country-by-country overview of obligations across Europe. It brings structure to a fragmented system so teams can plan confidently instead of reacting at the last minute.

A first impression of how different the requirements can be:

• Austria, for example, applies EPR to both household and commercial packaging. What stands out is a simplified flat-fee option for very small volumes, something few other countries offer.
• Belgium takes a different approach. With two responsibility organisations – one for household packaging and one for industrial – Belgium already uses a well-established eco-modulation system where recyclability has a direct impact on fees.
• Germany requires all producers to register in the LUCID database before placing packaging on the market. While eco-modulation is mandated by law, it has not been implemented yet, which means change is still ahead.
• The Netherlands sets one of the highest producer thresholds in Europe, but Single-Use Plastics bypass that threshold entirely. Eco-modulation currently focuses on plastics and will evolve further under PPWR.
• Italy stands out with detailed fee bands, especially for plastic and paper packaging, making material choice a significant cost factor.

And this is only a glimpse. To make navigating Europe’s shifting EPR rules easier and to give producers a real strategic advantage, we developed the EPR Fees Guide. Inside, you’ll find deeper country insights and the key regulatory details that will shape your 2026 planning and PPWR readiness.

If your team operates across multiple European countries, these differences are not just regulatory details, they directly influence your packaging strategy, your data needs, and your cost structure.

Download the complete EPR Fees Guide to explore all country overviews, thresholds, fee logic and eco-modulation systems, and build a packaging approach that stays ahead of European changes.