Packaging has its own Estonian register
Estonia keeps packaging out of its main producer register and gives it a dedicated one. PAKIS is the Estonian packaging EPR register, run under the Packaging Act separately from the products-of-concern register PROTO.
The Ministry of Climate is the controller, with the Environment Agency and KEMIT running it. Sales packaging needs a written contract with an accredited producer responsibility organisation; only transport, grouped and reusable packaging may be handled individually. Beverage containers run through a separate deposit-return system.
What PAKIS covers
Packaging placed on the Estonian market. Since 17 January 2026 the recovery duty for sales packaging is met through a written contract with an accredited PRO such as ETO, TVO or Eesti Pakendiringlus. Transport, grouped and reusable packaging may still be self-managed, and beverage-container deposits run through Eesti Pandipakend.
Amendments in 2023 added reuse rules, and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation applies from 12 August 2026.
Who ends up in PAKIS
Packaging undertakings that first place packaging on the Estonian market, meaning manufacturers, packers, importers and distance sellers.
PAKIS has no application form. A recovery organisation reports each of its members to PAKIS, and an undertaking that handles its own recovery reports to PAKIS itself by 31 March.
Signing up and the audit duty
- Work out whether you place packaging on the Estonian market.
- If you are a foreign undertaking, appoint an Estonian authorised representative (see below).
- Sign a written contract with an accredited recovery organisation for your sales packaging. Transport, grouped and reusable packaging may be self-managed.
- Your recovery organisation reports you to PAKIS. If you self-manage, report your packaging to PAKIS yourself by 31 March for the previous year.
- Above 20 tonnes a year, an audit duty applies.
Foreign undertakings and the representative
Foreign packaging undertakings, distance sellers to Estonian consumers included, appoint an authorised representative residing or located in Estonia to carry the Packaging Act duties.
Estonian packaging terms
- Pakendiregister (PAKIS): the packaging register.
- Pakendiseadus: the Estonian Packaging Act.
- Eesti Pandipakend: the beverage deposit-return operator.
Estonia's other register
Electronics, batteries, vehicles, tyres and single-use plastics are handled in a separate Estonian register, PROTO. This page is the packaging register.
Frequently asked questions about PAKIS
Short answers to what producers ask most.
Who must register in PAKIS?
Nobody files an application. Any manufacturer, packer, importer or distance seller that first places packaging on the Estonian market is reported in PAKIS, by its recovery organisation or, if it self-manages, by itself.
Is PAKIS the same as PROTO?
No. PAKIS is packaging only. Electronics, batteries and the other products of concern register in PROTO.
Is there a reporting threshold?
No. Everyone who places packaging is reported in PAKIS each year, and an audit duty applies above 20 tonnes a year.
Do foreign sellers need a representative?
Yes. A foreign packaging undertaking appoints an authorised representative located in Estonia to meet the obligations.