Finland
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for Packaging in Finland
In Finland, the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging is set out under the Waste Act 646/2011 (as amended) and the Government Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste 518/2014. These create legal obligations for producers to finance the collection, recycling and recovery of all packaging they place on the Finnish market. Supervision is carried out by the Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Pirkanmaa ELY Centre). Practical collection and recycling are managed through approved Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) such as Finnish Packaging Producers Ltd (RINKI).Who must register for Packaging EPR in Finland
- Manufacturers and packers established in Finland that first place packaged products on the market
- Importers or intra-EU acquirers bringing packaged goods into Finland
- Distance-selling companies without a Finnish branch must appoint an authorised representative
- Retailers or brand owners marketing private label products are also deemed producers
What the packaging scope includes
All packaging materials placed on the Finnish market, including:- Household packaging (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, wood, composites)
- Commercial and industrial packaging
- Single-use and reusable packaging
Thresholds
No de-minimis exemption applies: all companies placing packaging on the Finnish market must comply and register, regardless of volume.EPR registration procedure for Packaging in Finland
- Register in the Producer Responsibility Register through the Pirkanmaa ELY e-service
- Join an approved packaging PRO (e.g., RINKI Ltd) by signing a membership agreement and paying the annual fee
- The PRO forwards your data to the national register and issues a Producer ID
- Submit annual data on packaging volumes placed on the market and pay eco-fees covering national collection and recycling
- Keep weight and material data records for at least five years for audit purposes
Authorized representative
Foreign producers selling packaged goods directly to Finnish consumers must appoint an authorised representative domiciled in Finland to fulfil all legal obligations, including registration, reporting, and fee payment.Reporting deadline
Producers or PROs must file the previous year’s packaging data to the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre by 28 February each year. PROs submit on behalf of their members.Who assumes responsibility?
- Finnish manufacturers and packers: responsible from the moment packaging is placed on the market
- Importers/intra-EU acquirers: responsible at customs clearance or acquisition unless covered upstream
- Distance sellers: responsible through an authorised representative when selling directly B2C to Finnish customers
- Producer Responsibility Organisations (e.g., RINKI Ltd): handle collection, recycling and data reporting
- Pirkanmaa ELY Centre: supervises compliance, manages the register and conducts audits with penalties for breaches
Duties of each group
- Producers: Finance collection and recycling, submit accurate data, and ensure compliance with national targets
- Authorised Representatives: Fulfil all EPR tasks for foreign producers, including communication with authorities
- ELY Centre: Supervise compliance, manage the register, and enforce the law
- PROs: Provide the national collection network and handle reporting and recycling operations
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for EEE in Finland
Finland’s WEEE system is laid down in the Waste Act 646/2011 (as amended in 2022) and the Government Decree on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment 519/2014 (latest amend. 1026/2021). Together they create EPR Finland obligations that make producers finance collection and high-quality treatment of e-waste. Supervision rests with the Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Pirkanmaa ELY Centre), while practical take-back is run through five approved producer organisations (POs) such as SER-Tuottajayhteisö ry, ERP Finland ry, SELT ry, ICT Producers Co-operative and Flip ry.Who must register for EEE EPR in Finland
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Manufacturers or brand-owners established in Finland that first place EEE on the market
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Importers / intra-EU acquirers bringing devices into Finland
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Distance-selling companies with no Finnish branch, which must comply via an authorised representative
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Retailers marketing own-brand products likewise count as producers
What the equipment includes
All household and professional devices that depend on ≤ 1 000 V AC / 1 500 V DC fall within six open-scope categories:
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Temperature-exchange equipment
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Screens & monitors ≥ 100 cm²
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Lamps 4. Large equipment (> 50 cm)
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Small equipment (≤ 50 cm) 6. Small IT & telecom devices (≤ 50 cm).
Thresholds
There is no de-minimis exemption: any company that puts even one device on the Finnish market must complete EPR registration Finland.EPR registration procedure in Finland
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Open a Producer Responsibility Register account in the Pirkanmaa ELY e-service
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Join an approved producer organisation (e.g., SER-Tuottajayhteisö ry or ERP Finland ry) by signing a membership agreement and paying the joining fee
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The PO forwards your details to the register and issues a Finnish WEEE ID—marketplaces require this before listings go live
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Submit annual quantity data via the PO’s portal and pay eco-fees that cover nationwide collection, treatment and Finland electronics recycling
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Keep weight records for five years in case of Pirkanmaa ELY audits
Authorized representative
A foreign producer selling directly to Finnish consumers must appoint an authorised representative domiciled in Finland to perform all legal duties—registration, reporting and fee payment—under Pirkanmaa ELY Centre EPR rules.Reporting deadline
Producer organisations (or individual producers) must file the previous calendar year’s monitoring data with Pirkanmaa ELY by 30 June each year; POs submit on behalf of their members.Who assumes responsibility?
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Finnish manufacturers / packers bear full responsibility for their packaging from the moment the product is first placed on the Finnish market
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Importers or intra-EU acquirers assume full liability at customs clearance or acquisition, unless an upstream licence already covers the packaging
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Foreign distance sellers become liable—through an authorised representative—when they make a direct B2C sale to a Finnish customer
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Producer organisations (e.g., SER-TY, ERP FI) handle the operational tasks of collection, recycling and data transfer
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Pirkanmaa ELY Centre oversees enforcement and registry functions, carrying out audits and imposing fines where necessary
Duties of each group
- Producers: Finance the collection and treatment of EEE waste, report placed-on-market volumes, and ensure product labeling and take-back compliance
- Authorized Representatives: Handle all EPR duties on behalf of foreign producers, including registration, reporting, and communication with authorities
- ELY Centre (Pirkanmaa ELY-keskus): Supervise compliance, manage the national register, and enforce regulations
- Compliance Schemes: Organize collection, recycling, and reporting logistics for member producers