Greece
Greece runs one of the broader EPR systems in Europe, and one of the rare ones to cover construction. Greek EPR compliance means registering in EMPA, the national producer register, and joining an approved collective scheme for each stream, under the supervision of the agency EOAN.
Most streams have run for years, with several dating to 2004. The unusual breadth is what sets Greece apart, not the mechanics.
What carries EPR in Greece
The active streams are packaging, electronics, batteries, vehicles, tyres, lubricant oils and construction. Single-use plastics and plastic fishing gear are partly in force.
Construction is the standout. Greece is one of the few EU countries to run producer responsibility for construction and demolition materials, with contractors joining regional collective systems, handled outside EMPA.
Several streams are still being stood up. The tobacco-filter scheme and the fishing-gear scheme are provided for in law but were not confirmed as operational in mid-2026, and furniture and toys are named for future EPR without implementing acts.
Registering in EMPA
Producers register in EMPA, the national producer register, before placing products on the Greek market, and each company holds a unique producer number.
Behind the register sit the schemes. Packaging alone has several, and most streams require joining an approved collective producer responsibility organisation that EOAN supervises.
Who has to comply
The duty falls on producers, importers and distance sellers selling into the Greek market, and they register in EMPA for every EPR stream except construction, which uses the regional systems.
Construction is the exception to the register too. There the obligated parties are project managers and contractors, joining regional collective systems rather than EMPA.
What changes next
The near-term calendar mixes new schemes with the EU layer:
- A beverage deposit-return system was adopted in early 2025 and is being stood up.
- 12 August 2026: the EU packaging regulation PPWR applies directly in Greece.
- Around April 2028: a textile and footwear scheme must be operating under the revised EU waste directive.
Several Greek schemes are provided for in law but not yet confirmed operational, including tobacco filters, fishing gear and textiles, so treat those as coming rather than running.
Frequently asked questions about EPR in Greece
Brief answers to the questions sellers ask most.
What is EPR in Greece?
Producer responsibility across a broad set of streams, from packaging to construction, fulfilled through approved collective schemes that the agency EOAN supervises. Most streams register in EMPA, the national producer register, though construction runs through separate regional systems.
What is the Greek EPR register?
EMPA, the national producer register, where producers sign up before selling and hold a unique producer number, for every EPR stream except construction.
Does Greece have construction EPR?
Yes, unusually for the EU. Construction and demolition materials carry producer responsibility through regional collective systems, handled outside EMPA.
Do single-use plastics have a scheme yet?
Partly. The rules apply in law, but the tobacco-filter and related schemes were still being set up in mid-2026.
Does Greece have textile EPR yet?
Not yet. A scheme was foreseen earlier but is not operational, with the EU deadline for one around April 2028.