Extended Producer Responsibility
Updated Guidance for Efficient Waste Management
This report updates the 2001 Guidance Manual for Governments on Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR), which provided a broad overview of the key issues, general considerations,
and the potential benefits and costs associated with producer responsibility for managing
the waste generated by their products put on the market. Since then, EPR policies
to help improve recycling and reduce landfilling have been widely adopted in most
OECD countries; product coverage has been expanded in key sectors such as packaging,
electronics, batteries and vehicles; and EPR schemes are spreading in emerging economies
in Asia, Africa and South America, making it relevant to address the differing policy
contexts in developing countries.
In light of all of the changes in the broader global context, this updated review
of the guidelines looks at some of the new design and implementation challenges and
opportunities of EPR policies, takes into account recent efforts undertaken by governments
to better assess the cost and environmental effectiveness of EPR and its overall impact
on the market, and addresses some of the specific issues in emerging market economies.
Published on September 20, 2016Also available in: French