Businesses placing packaged products, electrical equipment and batteries on the Spanish market must comply with a number of obligations imposed by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. This also applies to foreign companies, which the legislator has additionally obliged to establish an authorised representative in Spain. How to meet the new EPR regulations in Spain?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. Extended Producer Responsibility) in Spain have been introduced by several pieces of legislation: law 7/2022 of 8 April 2022 and Royal Decrees 106/2008, 110/2015 and 1055/2022.According to these laws all traders who sell to Spain packaged products, electrical and electronic equipment and batteries and accumulators have to meet a number of obligations legal.

EPR's key responsibilities in Spain include:

• obtaining a NIF (es. Número de Identificación Fiscal) tax identification number,
• registration in the Register of Producers - Registro de Productores de Producto (the Spanish equivalent of BDO) and obtaining an individual EPR number,
• ensuring waste management arising from packaging, equipment (WEEE) and batteries and accumulators placed on the Spanish market,
• submission of annual reports concerning the types and quantities of products covered by the EPR regulations that the trader has placed on the Spanish market,
• licensing packaging and equipment introduced

Foreign entrepreneurs cannot perform any of these tasks alone - the EPR regulations require them to establishment of an authorised representative in Spainwhich will take over all obligations relating to extended producer liability.

The obligation to establish an authorised representative for EPR is incumbent on companies not established in Spain that are launching in the Spanish market:

• electrical and electronic equipment (e.g. white goods, consumer electronics, electronic toys),
• batteries and accumulators (as well as appliances containing batteries or accumulators),
• packaged products:
• home domestic (unit in which the product is delivered to the consumer),
• commercial, English. commercial (used for storage and packaging in retail and service outlets),
• industrial, English. industrial (collective).

The EPR regulations do not only apply to traders selling listed products through traditional distribution channels (stationary shops, wholesalers). They also include companies that offer their products through their own online shops or sales platforms, e.g. Amazon, Zalando or eBay.

Importantly, the Spanish EPR legislation does not provide for quantity exemptions, meaning that even companies that sell only a few such packages or products into Spain must establish an authorised representative. Signing a contract with an entity that will take over EPR obligations in Spain is therefore a prerequisite to be met by all businesses placing any packaged products, batteries and accumulators and electrical and electronic equipment on the Spanish market.

At Interzero, a comprehensive we support entrepreneurs in fulfilment of the obligations arising from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). We offer the service of an authorised representative in Spain to all companies that place packaged products, electrical and electronic equipment and batteries on the Spanish market.

As an authorised representative of your company in Spain we will deal with:

• registration of your company in the Spanish Producer Register,
• recycling and waste management from packaging, equipment and batteries that you bring to the Spanish market,
• accession to the extended producer responsibility scheme (EPRS, SCRAP),
• reporting on packaging, equipment and batteries introduced in each calendar year,
• packaging licensing and equipment and payment of licence fees on behalf of your company (if required),
• representation of your company on the EPR's obligations before Spanish authorities and bodies.

Explore our range of services and choose Interzero as your authorised representative in Spain!

Choosing Interzero's services means that all the formalities are completed fast, convenient and in 100% online.

1. Create a free account for your company on the website of Interzero España (It will only take you 1 minute!).
2. Complete the information on the quantities and types of packaging entering and calculate the cost of the service.
3. Confirm your details and proceed to finalise your order.
4. Follow the further instructions we will send you by email.

Once the formalities are completed, we will take care of the registration of your company and the fulfilment of the other obligations under the EPR in Spain.

Find out the answers to the most common questions about authorised representative and EPR regulation in Spain.

For more information, click here: EPR Obligations - Interzero Authorized representative in Spain

The authorized representative in Spain is company representativewhich assume responsibility for the implementation of the Producer's obligations resulting from the Spanish EPR regulations. If your company is not based in Spain, you can only fulfil your obligations under the EPR through an authorised representative!

According to the Spanish EPR regulations, the term Manufacturer should be understood as any a trader who manufactures, sells, packages, imports or makes intra-Community deliveries of packaged products, electrical and electronic equipment or batteries and accumulators into the Spanish market.

This applies both to entrepreneurs established in Spain and to foreign companies (either EU or non-EU based).

Under Spain's Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, Packaging Producers are also:

• retailers, courier companies and online traders who use shipping packaging to deliver the products they sell,
• companies not based in Spain that use packaging to market products in Spain,
• e-commerce platforms that bring packaged products from outside Spain to the Spanish market,
• companies that package products directly at the point of sale (e.g. takeaway food),
• packagers of products destined for the Spanish market.

If you are placing packaged products, electrical and electronic equipment or batteries and accumulators on the Spanish market and at the same time are not based in Spain, it is likely that you need to establish an authorised representative of your company in Spain. The following can be helpful in identifying your obligation definition of Manufacturer.

NOTE: Spanish EPR regulations do not provide for quantity exemptions. EPR obligations must therefore be complied with by all Producers, regardless of the quantity of packaged products, equipment and batteries placed on the market.

Need more information on EPR obligations in Spain and other European countries?Create a free account with Licenzero and learn about your company's responsibilities!

The obligation to appoint an authorised representative in Spain has come into force 1 January 2023. From now on, all foreign entrepreneurs who place packaged products, electrical and electronic equipment or batteries and accumulators on the Spanish market must fulfil their obligations as an introducer through an authorised representative.

The authorized representative of your company in Spain can be a natural or legal person or an organisation that fulfils all of the following conditions:

• has an address (registered office) in Spain,
• is a member of one of the extended producer responsibility schemes in Spain (SCRAP),
• is registered in the Spanish register of producers (Registro de Productores de Producto).

Remember that your company's authorised representative will perform your duties and represent you before the Spanish authorities and offices! Therefore, as your authorised representative choose only experienced, proven operators who can guarantee the highest quality of service!

You should appoint an authorised representative of your company prior to the commencement of operations involving the introduction of packaged products, electrical equipment or batteries and accumulators into the Spanish market. If you currently sell such products to customers in Spain and you are a producer within the meaning of the Spanish EPR regulations, you must establish an authorised representative as soon as possible

Your company's authorised representative in Spain assumes responsibility for the fulfilment of obligations under the Spanish Extended Producer Responsibility legislation. His/her tasks therefore include:

• company registration in the Register of Manufacturers,
• current monitoring the company's compliance with regulations EPR in Spain,
• annual reporting types and quantities of packaging, equipment and batteries placed on the Spanish market,
• organisation and coordination of activities related to waste management from the packaging, equipment and batteries introduced (usually amounting to adherence to the Collective System of Extended Producer Responsibility - SCRAP),
• contact with local authorities and offices,
• licensing of introduced packaging and equipment, including the remittance of a licence fee (charged when limits are exceeded) to the relevant authorities.

Any company that fails to comply with the obligation to establish an authorised representative in Spain may be imposed:

• financial penaltieswhich depends, among other things, on the amount of packaging, equipment and batteries introduced,
• bans introduction of individual products to the Spanish market.

Yes. We currently provide the services of an authorised representative of in all 27 EU Member States, plus the UK, Norway and Switzerland. This allows businesses introducing EPR-regulated packaging and products into many countries to fast, convenient and comprehensive establish an authorised representative in various European markets.

Explore our range of authorisations for small and large companies!

Recycling has never been easier than it is today. Packaging is labelled, the public is educated, but nevertheless we still make mistakes in segregation. What is the reason for this? The problem arises with rarer and mixed waste, such as construction and renovation waste. - We don't know where to throw away crushed concrete, tile scraps or polystyrene foam. Segregating waste can be easy - all it takes is a few educational tips - which is why today's post will tell you where to dispose of polystyrene foam.

In this article, we will answer your questions and prove that the disposal of polystyrene waste is simpler than it sounds!

• into which containers do you dispose of polystyrene waste?
• Where to dispose of polystyrene foam after white goods or consumer electronics?
• Is polystyrene foam recyclable?
• how to dispose of polystyrene foam?

That is, our guide in a nutshell to the amount of polystyrene waste!

Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene (EPS), is a lightweight material consisting of polystyrene granules. It has excellent insulating properties and is resistant to salt and alkalis. As a result, it is widely used in the construction industry and in the packaging of sensitive products. - cups, for example. The production process involves several steps - polystyrene is dissolved in suitable solvents and then a gas (usually pentane) is added, which causes the granules to expand into the familiar polystyrene beads. The finished material is formed into suitable shapes, cooled and then cut to size. Why is it important to dispose of polystyrene foam correctly? As you can see from the production process - it is not a biodegradable material, so inappropriate disposal of polystyrene foam can lead to serious contamination of soils and groundwater. The types of polystyrene foam are often described on the packaging to give the consumer a hint on how to deal with polystyrene waste.

The amount of construction waste after renovations can overwhelm even the most persistent. Many people contract companies such as Interzero disposal of construction waste -but where are the polystyrene pieces disposed of and what happens when they end up in the wrong container? The improper disposal of polystyrene foam can lead to a number of negative consequences for both people and the environment. Firstly - it is not a biodegradable material - polystyrene packaging takes up to 1000 years to decomposeIn the meantime, polystyrene contaminates the soil and water. What's more - animals often mistake polystyrene packaging for food, which leads to poisoning and death. In addition, the wrong choice of container makes it difficult to recycle polystyrene foam smoothly.

The Polish system of waste segregation is quite transparent so that waste disposal can be carried out smoothly. Most town hall websites provide information or have their own waste finder, allowing you to allocate the type of municipal waste to the correct bin. You can also use the website Our Garbagewhere you will find a search engine for the segregation rules in your municipality.

Packaging polystyrene is recycled provided it is clean. This group includes, for example, packaging from white goods, furniture and electronic devices. Clean polystyrene should be placed in yellow bags or bins for metals and plastics.. Discarded in this way, it will be recycled, allowing the material to return to circulation. Pure polystyrene packaging is recycled in a similar way to plastic and plastics.

Dirty polystyrene packaging (e.g. used takeaway food containers) is not recyclable. This type of waste should be disposed of in black bags or mixed waste bins. Why? Removing greasy stains or organic residues is costly and time-consuming, making polystyrene foam recycling uneconomic. This is the only proper disposal of soiled polystyrene.

Can you dispose of building polystyrene in mixed or plastic? Unfortunately not. Leftover polystyrene boards should be placed in special containers for construction waste. For larger quantities of such waste, it is worth considering using a company that deals with the professional disposal of building materials. Such companies offer transport, suitable containers and proven methods for processing polystyrene foam. This allows you to take care of the environment and comply with waste management regulations. However, if you are dealing with a small amount of building polystyrene, you can take care of the disposal yourself. You can take this waste to your local municipal waste collection point (PSZOK). It will be properly sorted and sent for further processing. This approach makes it easy to dispose of waste in accordance with the principles of segregation and environmental protection.

• Re-use if the polystyrene is properly cut and painted - an example would be façade polystyrene, which can be used as insulation in another building project or for decoration.
• Surrender directly to polystyrene foam recycling companies. In Poland, we have companies that have made it their goal to recycle this material.
• Upcycling - that is, instead of throwing away used polystyrene foam, we transform it into something new. Homemade decorations, and for the more creative, even furniture or architectural elements.

Before we decide to throw away packaging polystyrene, let's consider whether we can make use of it.

Appropriate waste management is closely linked to the carbon footprint that remains in the environment. All polystyrene balls, polystyrene plates or soiled polystyrene, remain in the ecosphere. The above alternative ways of disposing of polystyrene are just a few ideas. Municipal waste management has never been at such a high level before in history, but without a committed, informed public, it is impossible to make positive changes to the environment. This is why we encourage people to think about where the waste should be disposed of and whether it is OK - for ourselves - to throw away construction waste without giving it a second thought about its reuse. After all, each of us is responsible for the environment. Do you own larger quantities of polystyrene foam? We hope you already know what you can do with them!

Nhe year began with enthusiasm and full commitment – we organised training, campaigns, educational workshops and we have launched a new service. Read on for a summary of January at the Interzero Group in Poland, where we outline the key events of recent weeks. 

From 2025, the beauty industry is required to comply with new regulations on hazardous waste records. This major change, the obligation to register with BDO, will affect thousands of hairdressers, beauticians and other beauty industry service providers. We have launched a new form, which allows you to contact our company and take over the obligation to register with BDO. 

New entry on the website translators to whom the new regulations apply, what penalties are available in the event of non-compliance and what waste is subject to registration with BDO. 

In January, the second part of Interzero's report 'In the traps of disposability' was published, entitled "Waiting for bail". This analysis of Poles' knowledge of the bail system shows, among other things, that: 

• 23% of respondents had never heard of a bail system  

• 41% are concerned that the turnaround points will be too far from their location  

• 40% says you may need a receipt to get your deposit back  

Even this cursory extraction from the data makes it possible to identify areas that need to be addressed with an appropriate information campaign to bring the way the bail system works closer to home.  

The aim of the publication series 'In the Traps of Disposability', produced by Interzero on the basis of quantitative and qualitative research conducted by Opinia24, is to assess the impact of the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive coming into force. Speaking more extensively about this, she said on air Polish Radio Four Edyta Mantorska, Manager of the Interzero Environmental Education Team.  

A webinar on the deposit system held on 16 January 2025, hosted by Pawel Sosnowski, Board Representative for Environmental Regulation at Interzero, provided participants with key information on the amendment of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Management Act. 

The training discussed the details of the regulatory changes, including the postponement of the launch date for bail schemes, changes to covered drinks, new rules for collecting bail and the introduction of VAT on unclaimed bail. 

A great value of the event was the rich Q&A session, which allowed participants to dispel numerous doubts and gain practical information on the new regulations. Thanks to the activity and commitment of the participants, the Q&A became a great opportunity to clarify any ambiguities and discuss problems that entrepreneurs may face. 

Why are there differences between publicly available data on waste management? Why is it better to say plastics instead of plastic? What environmental topics did Poles live with in 2024 and what awaits us in 2025? These issues were discussed in the podcast 'Eko bez kantów'. We encourage you to listen to the latest episodes on the YouTube platform:  

• "Waste and data - where do the discrepancies come from?" - Dr. Beata Waszczyłko-Miłkowska, IOŚ-PIB  
• "Waste management - what do the figures tell us?" - Dr. Beata Waszczyłko-Miłkowska, IOŚ-PIB  
• "2024 in ecology. What awaits us in 2025?" - Editors: Jakub Pawłowski, Aleksander Jakub Paszyński, Jakub Wojajczyk and Szymon Majewski  
• "Plastic - we need it, although we don't like to admit it" - Dr Anna Kozera-Szałkowska, PlasticsEurope Polska  

The next edition of the Interzero Environmental Conference will take place on 3-4 June at the Warszawianka Hotel near Serock! This is a unique event that will allow you to learn about the latest legal changes in environmental protection. Promotion early birds runs only until the end of February, so don't delay - share this message with others now! It is also a great opportunity to make new business contacts. For more information on the event, see here.  

Does your company sell products to Poland? And do you know what environmental responsibilities this entails? Take part in a free webinar in English!

During the webinar we will discuss:

1. Environmental obligations in Polish law - introduction
2. Explanation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
3. Licensing obligation for dealers and manufacturers
4. The role of the authorised representative
5. Good practices and support for companies
6. Question and answer session

The meeting will be chaired by Przemyslaw Kuna, Managing Director of Interzero.

To attend the webinar, simply register at HERE.

Registration is open until 20 February at 8am.

The transition to a circular economy is inevitable - these are the conclusions of the latest Interzero study Businesses in the circular economy: a detailed analysis. The green transformation of companies is not only enforced by legislation. It is also expected by customers, investors and financial institutions. The best way to set the right course for change is to work with an environmental consultancy.

From the survey Businesses in the circular economy: a detailed analysis shows that a significant Most companies want to implement sustainable initiatives or have already started doing sos. Such declarations were made by 71.1 to 84.9% managers representing medium and large companies from 6 European countries.

Companies in the FMCG (81%) and electronics (82%) sectors stand out as the most active in this respect. For this group of companies, the implementation of circular solutions is no longer considered in the context of competitive advantage - the it becomes necessary in order to maintain its current position on the market.

The situation is slightly different for companies in the construction, retail and logistics sectors, where the drive to make the idea of a circular economy a reality is declared by just over 60% of respondents. From their perspective, making green changes stay ahead of the competition, create and control industry trends and gain the trust of new groups of customers and investors.

What budget do medium and large companies allocate to sustainability? In which activities do they most often invest? Download the survey report and discover the latest trends in sustainability! 

Despite the implementation of further sustainable initiatives, significant the majority of companies surveyed are still a long way from achieving the goals of Agenda 2030 - considered the 'easiest' non-financial reporting target to implement has only been achieved by 20.5% respondents, while the 'most difficult' carbon neutrality target has only 15.7% respondents on track.

This state of affairs, as it were, forces companies to seek advisory support. Researched companies were almost unanimous in their desire to use an environmental consulting firm and to entrust it with strategic, management and operational tasks.

Managers of large and medium-sized companies declared that the introduction of sustainable measures can benefit their companies in the following ways:
- reducing the amount of waste generated (and consequently reducing waste management costs),
- increase the efficiency of the company's operations,
- to meet the growing expectations of customers, financial institutions and investors,
- adapting to prevailing industry trends.

However, the authors of the padding emphasise that for real benefits to be realised, it is necessary to implement changes based on concrete data and measurements. Otherwise, companies risk misdirecting investments. Assessing the environmental performance of products, services and the organisation as a whole was declared by only 35.5% of the companies surveyed. Some of the companies surveyed stated that they did not have any useful data or research to create a strategy for their organisation's sustainability efforts.

These figures clearly indicate not only the need for research and development work, but also the need for ongoing cooperation with a consulting entity like Interzero as an experienced partner specialising in sustainability.

Given the huge impact of sustainability activities on the perception of a company by all its stakeholders, companies seeking advisory support are guided by a number of concretised criteria.

• One of the most common criteria is the possibility of adapting the services offered to the specific nature of the business. Many entrepreneurs have experienced the difficulty or even impossibility of implementing off-the-shelf, unmodified solutions into their business models.
• Equally important is wide range consulting firm. Respondents particularly value availability of comprehensive, integrated environmental services and the opportunity to receive advice in other areas, not necessarily related to sustainability.
• A key criterion is also good reputation of the environmental consultancy.

As environmental consultants, we understand these expectations of entrepreneurs very well. At Interzero, we have been developing customised, integrated services for over 30 years in the field of environmental protection for companies of all sizes and from all sectors. We offer comprehensive environmental consultancy, training, audits, and we provide tailor-made solutions for sustainability, recycling, waste management and waste machinery. We support businesses in meeting their legal environmental obligations and in the implementation of a circular economy. We are already trusted by more than 9,500 entities - find out more about our environmental services and join the customers with whom we are pursuing a shared vision of a world without waste.

Six countries were analysed: Italy, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia. The objectives of the study were: to understand and analyse market trends in sustainability and the circular economy, to explore potential barriers to the implementation of sustainable practices, to examine the main sustainability needs in the medium and large enterprise sector, to analyse the readiness of these enterprises to move towards more sustainable business models.

The data analysed in the course of the study came from company press releases, newspaper and magazine articles and sustainability reports, as well as from interviews conducted with top executives representing the companies under study

In the first part of the report 'In the traps of reusability', entitled 'The curse of single-use plastic', we also read a lot about the eating habits of Poles: what they order most often, where and how they order (by phone, app, in person), what they pay attention to when they look at the packaging they are offered, and what they think about reusable packaging.

And these are just some of the findings from the qualitative and quantitative research to help diagnose and describe the state of implementation of the single-use plastics directive in Poland. The qualitative research involved interviews with 24 people, the quantitative CAWI research was conducted on a nationwide representative sample of 1,000 people. You can read the entire publication here: https://ekobezkantow.pl/raporty/w-pulapkach-jednorazowosci/

About Eco without the corners

In 'Eco without the squiggles', we talk about ecology without bending the truth. We deal with myths, fake news and half-truths. Our aim is to explain why waste should be separated, not just how to do it properly.

"Eco without a corner" was born out of the belief that in a world full of misinformation and greenwashing, a reliable source of accurate information is needed. We cover topics such as sustainability, recycling, GOZ and legislation related to waste management. We discuss the environmental impact of packaging, batteries and electro-waste, as well as how to reuse them as valuable resources.

Polish entrepreneurs selling products and packaging to Austria should be on guard - as of 1 January 2023, the country has introduced EPR regulations, which are the equivalent of the Polish ROP. They centre around 2 main issues: packaging licensing and the establishment of an authorised representative in Austria. How to implement the obligations under the EPR? We suggest.

With the start of 2023, the following became effective in Austria the new extended producer responsibility provisions, known as EPR provisions (English. Extended Producer Responsibility). They impose a number of environmental obligations on businesses selling products to Austria, with the aim of increasing the recycling rate of packaging and product waste and minimising the environmental impact of businesses' activities.

From 1 January 2023, entrepreneurs not established in Austria who place certain categories of packaging and products on the Austrian market must meet stringent legal requirements.

According to the Austrian EPR regulations, every introducer is obliged to:

• registration with the Austrian Federal Environment Agency (the equivalent of the Polish BDO registration),
• the submission of periodic reports on the quantities or weights of products and packaging introduced,
• participation in the waste collection and recycling system in Austria,
• to pay a licence fee depending on the type and quantity of packaging or products placed on the Austrian market.

Importantly, traders cannot carry out these obligations alone - not being based in Austria means that must appoint an authorised representative in Austria (Bevollmächtigten), who will carry out the duties of an introducer on their behalf and be responsible for liaising with local authorities.

The obligations under the EPR concern each company not established in Austria, which sells to Austrian customers the following product categories:

• packaging, including product packaging, transport packaging and shipping packaging,
• electronic and electrical equipment (EEE),
• batteries and accumulators.

The new rules apply to businesses based in any EU country as well as those based outside the EU. They are mainly aimed at companies that offer their products on sales platforms, e.g. eBay, Amazon, Zalando.

The obligations of the introducer set out in the EPR regulations must therefore be fulfilled:

• importers of packaged products, equipment and batteries and accumulators for the Austrian market,
• traders selling packaging, packaged products, equipment and batteries directly to consumers in Austria using their own online shops or online sales platforms.

The EPR regulations do not provide for quantitative exemptions - The establishment of an authorised representative in Austria is an obligation for every introducer, even if they only sell a few products or packages covered by the EPR into Austria.

The Interzero Group has been providing professional, comprehensive environmental services to clients in every industry for more than 30 years. We are present in 10 countries, including Austria, where we we take over responsibilities from our clients relating to, among other things, licensing, waste management and recycling.

As an authorised representative of your company, we will take care of:

• registration of your company in the relevant authorities,
• packaging licensing launched on the Austrian market,
• reporting, i.e. the preparation and submission of all reports required by EPR regulations in Austria,
• the provision of waste management arising from packaging and products introduced by your company into the Austrian market,
• representation of your company before the Austrian authorities in all matters relating to introduced products or packaging.

By signing one contract, you will hand over to us all of your responsibilities for the introduction of packaging, electrical and electronic equipment and packaging and batteries onto the Austrian market.

How do I make Interzero an authorised representative of my company?

1. Register with our online portal and complete your company details.
2. Select the scope of duties we are to carry out on behalf of your company. Remember that packaging, electrical equipment and batteries can be covered by one contract.
3. Indicate the quantities/masses of packaging and products entering the Austrian market.
4. Follow the further instructions and confirm the conclusion of the contract.

Find out more about the authorised representative service and packaging licensing in austria.

Find out the answers to the most common questions about establishing an authorised representative and packaging licensing in Austria.