As a producer or importer of electronic devices, contributing to a sustainable future
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a set of government regulations ensuring that anyone who places electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and lamps on the Dutch market is also responsible for collecting and recycling these products at the end of their lifecycle. For many companies active in innovative water and environmental technology, this regulation can have a significant impact.
What does the EPR entail?
The EPR requires producers and importers to ensure that their products are processed and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner when they become waste. This includes devices with a plug, battery, or accumulator, such as water monitoring systems, sensors, and pumps. Even products where electricity is a secondary feature, such as water management systems with electronic components, may fall under the EPR for electrical and electronic equipment. Exceptions include products like electric vehicles or pacemakers. Always check this downloadable PDF to see if the EPR applies to your product. Additionally, there are rules for exporting used devices: Export van gebruikte elektr(on)ische apparatuur | Brochure | Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT)
What does this mean for your company?
If the EPR applies to your business, you are required to register with the producers’ organization Stichting OPEN. Stichting OPEN organizes and coordinates the collection and recycling of discarded electrical devices and lamps through a nationwide network of collection points, such as stores and municipal waste stations. Stichting OPEN ensures that the collected waste is transported, sorted, and processed by certified recyclers, recovering valuable raw materials for reuse and removing hazardous substances.
Each year, you must report to Stichting OPEN how many devices you have placed on the Dutch market and pay a contribution based on the weight and type of device. This supports a sustainable processing system and helps you avoid fines for non-compliance.
How does it work
To ensure an efficient collection and recycling process, Stichting OPEN collaborates with municipalities, waste stations, sorting centers, and processors. It also operates more than 200 Wecycle collection points. Here’s how the collection and recycling process works: electrical and electronic waste is brought in through waste stations and Wecycle collection points. From these stations, the waste goes to specialized sorting centers, where most devices are sorted. If a sorting center cannot process the remaining waste, it is sent to a specialized recycler. The recycler completely dismantles devices such as laptops, washing machines, and dryers, removing any substances that might disrupt the recycling process. The materials are then recycled, enabling waste materials to be reused.
In 2023, over 200 million kilograms of discarded products were collected via the Wecycle network. Certified recyclers processed more than 80% of these products into new, pure raw materials, which were then used for new products.
Want to learn more?
Curious whether the EPR applies to your products? Or do you have other questions? Feel free to contact Peter de Haan, Account Manager for Producer Services, at peter.dehaan@stichting-open.org or visit: Wecycle voor bedrijven.
