A 50 g parcel can trigger four national checklists.

PPWR is the EU's packaging rule. Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies from 12 August 2026. The rule covers packaging across its life cycle and assigns producers extended-responsibility costs for collection, sorting and recycling. 1

Article 44 creates a national producer register in each Member State. A producer registers where the producer first makes packaging or packaged products available. For distance sales, the regulation points to an authorised representative in the Member State where the end user lives. A small seller shipping to four countries can therefore meet four national registration, reporting and payment interfaces, subject to national implementation and the seller's exact role. 2

Lectronz gives an indicative scenario: a Greek maker sells ten €25 sensor boards—five to Germany, two to France, two to Austria and one to Belgium—with about 500 g of packaging in total. Lectronz estimates roughly €1,150 in annual registration, scheme and representative costs. The estimate is an optimistic example based on prices from national schemes and compliance providers. Actual fees, services and enforcement vary by country. 3

Lectronz proposes an EU-wide de minimis threshold, an EPR one-stop shop and collective marketplace representation. Those are proposed reforms. The current rule still works through national registration structures. 3