How 3E Can Help with Extended Producer Responsibility

As we move toward a circular economy, one that views manufacturing as a holistic model from product creation through reuse, upcycling, or recycling, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is evolving.  

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines EPR as “a policy approach that makes producers responsible for their products along the entire lifecycle, including at the post-consumer stage.”  

Attorneys from the law firm Perkins Coie explain that EPR laws that make liability enforceable are popping up everywhere and EPR laws reach beyond the manufacturers of certain products, creating responsibility for companies that import products into covered jurisdictions (among others).  

In order to determine whether your company must comply with EPR laws, it is important to:  

1. Track changes in the laws/regulations by jurisdiction  
2. Confirm that your specific industry and product line are covered by EPR  
3. Be aware of your entire supply chain to see how EPR applies each step of the way.