In Hungary, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism will make producers and manufacturers responsible for the waste management costs of specific products, starting July 1, 2023. They will be responsible for the correct circular disposal of these waste products.

Who is considered responsible?

• Original manufacturer/seller of the product;
• If the product is not produced in Hungary, the organization that sells the product for the first time in Hungary as part of its economic activity;
• If a product is imported as an e-commerce service into the country, it is considered eligible for counting when sold to households or other users, even when ownership is transferred as an accessory or component of another product.

What are the obligations of the producers?

The Hungarian Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system places the responsibility and financial burden of waste management on local producers or first sellers, and this obligation is fulfilled through the payment of license fees.

What products are involved?

As of July 1, 2023, registration and payment obligations will apply to manufacturers of the following products such as:

• Packing material;
• Certain disposable plastic items;
• Electrical and electronic equipment;
• Batteries and accumulators;
• Vehicles and their components;
• Tires;
• Advertising materials and office paper;
• Textile products;
• Wooden furniture.

Producers’ obligations for EPR

1. Register with the National Waste Management Authority of the National Inspectorate for Environment and Nature (NWMD).

2. Register on the portal of the designated concessionaire company MOHU MOL Hulladékgazdálkodási Zrt. (called MOHU).

3. Producers are required to submit reports on the quantity of products manufactured to the CMDD on a quarterly basis, with each report due by the 20th day of the month following the reporting quarter.

4. Producers must pay quarterly fees (licenses) to MOHU based on the categories and quantities of products they circulate. The license fee is calculated based on the weight of the item multiplied by the fee factor. The exact amount of this fee will be determined by the Hungarian Government.