Extended producer responsibility in Finland in 2024

Currently, packaging manufacturers in Finland are only required to register if they have annual sales of at least 1 million euros. This regulation was introduced in 2011 with the aim of exempting small packaging producers from the registration requirement and reducing bureaucratic obstacles for the industry.

Registration takes place with the Finnish Packaging Register SYKE, which is operated by the Finnish Environmental Protection Agency. Packaging producers must provide the register with all information about their packaging, including the quantity, type and composition of packaging materials. The register collects this information and forwards it to the municipal waste management services, which are responsible for disposing of the packaging.

Finland has now taken another step towards reducing the environmental impact of packaging by introducing extended producer responsibility for packaging. From 1 January 2024, all packaging producers in Finland will be required to register and take responsibility for the disposal of their products, regardless of their annual turnover.

In the past, Finland has already advocated extended producer responsibility for other product groups such as electronics. By extending it to packaging, the government hopes to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and encourage manufacturers to use more environmentally friendly packaging materials.

The new regulation also impacts smaller packaging manufacturers, who were previously exempt from registration requirements. They must now take responsibility for their products and register.

Extended producer responsibility for packaging in Finland has proven to be an effective tool for promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of packaging. By extending the registration obligation to all packaging producers, Finland hopes to strengthen this effect and increase producers' responsibility for their products.