European Recycling Platform (ERP)

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) is a producer-founded compliance and recycling platform that helps companies meet their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations. Created in 2002 by Hewlett-Packard, Electrolux, Sony and Procter & Gamble, ERP was the first multi-country solution for EPR compliance, established as a response to the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Its founding principle — 'created by producers for producers' — remains central to its positioning: it passes on the advantages of multinational recycling operations to its members, aiming to be the most competitive and self-oriented compliance solution in a highly regulated landscape. ERP's scope covers four main waste streams under EPR frameworks: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries (portable and industrial), packaging, and, most recently, textiles. Its services span environmental compliance, chemical compliance, circular economy solutions, regulatory tracking, collection and treatment services, international quotations for multi-country registrations, integrated membership agreements, multi-country reporting, and access to an online data submission system. It also offers single and local waste management and takeback solutions for producers that want to lead the transition towards a circular economy. Operating through a network of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), ERP's circular solutions for producers and brands are available across nearly 40 PROs globally, with named markets including Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA. The organisation describes itself as 450+ employees from 30+ nationalities, a community of circular economy experts. ERP also positions itself as a regulatory knowledge partner, keeping members up to date on regulatory changes and consultations. Its published guidance covers major EU legislation such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which entered into force on 12 February 2025 and becomes fully applicable from 12 August 2026. Through its international network of licensed waste carriers and treatment operators, ERP arranges collection and treatment across borders, helping members meet or surpass national standards while simplifying the complexities of compliance, reporting and waste management.

The European Recycling Platform (ERP) was founded in 2002 by four global manufacturers — Hewlett-Packard, Electrolux, Sony and Procter & Gamble — as the first multi-country solution for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance. Its creation was a direct response to the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which made producers responsible for the collection and recycling of the electrical and electronic products they place on the market. Rather than each company building separate national compliance arrangements, the founders pooled their efforts into a shared platform designed to deliver compliance at the best possible and fairest price. From its origins in WEEE compliance, ERP expanded its scope to additional waste streams governed by EPR rules. It developed compliance and takeback services for batteries (both portable and industrial) and for packaging, covering sales and transport packaging. Most recently, it added textiles EPR services, extending its model to a fourth stream. Across these streams, ERP built a service portfolio that goes beyond basic compliance: environmental compliance, chemical compliance, circular economy solutions, regulatory tracking, collection and treatment services, international quotations for multi-country registrations, integrated membership agreements, multi-country reporting, and a unique online data submission system. A defining feature of ERP's model is its network of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs). Through these PROs, ERP's circular solutions for producers and brands are available across nearly 40 organisations globally, with named markets including Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA. The PROs meet collection targets in every country where ERP operates, meeting the legal obligations of members and keeping them fully compliant. Operating in a competitive environment, these PROs have shown a strong focus on driving innovation and improving member services. ERP describes itself today as a community of 450+ employees from 30+ nationalities — circular economy experts striving to do business in a different way. Its mission is to help members manage their producer responsibilities efficiently and globally for WEEE, batteries, packaging and textiles, all supported by its data services. The organisation also acts as a regulatory knowledge partner, publishing guidance on evolving EU legislation such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which entered into force on 12 February 2025 and becomes fully applicable from 12 August 2026. ERP's stated aim is to simplify the complexities of compliance, reporting and waste management while delivering high-quality compliance at the best possible and fairest price.

• 2026

  PPWR becomes fully applicable from 12 August 2026; ERP continues to expand textiles EPR services.

• 2025

  The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) enters into force on 12 February 2025; ERP publishes PPWR guidance for members.

• 2002

  ERP founded by Hewlett-Packard, Electrolux, Sony and Procter & Gamble as the first multi-country EPR compliance solution, in response to the EU WEEE Directive.

Created by producers for producers; the first multi-country EPR compliance solution, offering competitive, self-oriented compliance, takeback and recycling services across nearly 40 PROs globally.

• WEEE EPR compliance

  Compliance and takeback services for waste electrical and electronic equipment for B2B and B2C products.

• Batteries EPR compliance

  Compliance services for portable and industrial batteries.

• Packaging EPR and PPWR services

  Compliance for sales and transport packaging, including guidance on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

• Textiles EPR services

  Newest EPR stream, extending ERP's compliance model to textiles.

• Global Takeback

  Takeback solutions arranged through an international network of licensed waste carriers and treatment operators.

• EASyShop

  Listed among ERP's service offerings.

• Consulting

  Environmental compliance consulting and regulatory tracking.

1. 1Homepage – EPR Readiness & Textiles Webinar Informationerp-recycling.org
2. 2Services - ERP team support for members - ERP Globalerp-recycling.org
3. 3Who Are We – About Our Organization & Missionerp-recycling.org
4. 4PPWR - ERP Globalerp-recycling.org