EU recycling regs
Although I only do UK on here (too much faff for a small seller like me in Handmade), I do worldwide on Etsy and my own site.
Is anyone else dropping the EU (I will at the end of the year) because of the recycling regulations? I just can't afford to register in all the countries and especially the stupid ones like Greece. You'd think they'd come up with a simple EU wide solution. Anyway...
I need to double check (I've got a link that covers/explains most EU regs for each country), so there may be a few I can still sell to, but it's a hassle separating them out (on Etsy at least) - and with RM splitting Europe into 3 pricing zones, that doesn't help either. It's sad that I have to, but then I think, what are the chances of, say France, fining me 3000EU for not registering (for sales from my own website) when I may only sell less than 10 units there in a year. The cost of registering in all of them adds up to too much. And yet, my packaging is all mostly recyclable and/or made from recycled and reused materials.
It's a shame, because I do fairly often get big (expensive) orders for say Austria or Germany on Etsy or my site. Anyone in the same boat?
EU recycling regs
Although I only do UK on here (too much faff for a small seller like me in Handmade), I do worldwide on Etsy and my own site.
Is anyone else dropping the EU (I will at the end of the year) because of the recycling regulations? I just can't afford to register in all the countries and especially the stupid ones like Greece. You'd think they'd come up with a simple EU wide solution. Anyway...
I need to double check (I've got a link that covers/explains most EU regs for each country), so there may be a few I can still sell to, but it's a hassle separating them out (on Etsy at least) - and with RM splitting Europe into 3 pricing zones, that doesn't help either. It's sad that I have to, but then I think, what are the chances of, say France, fining me 3000EU for not registering (for sales from my own website) when I may only sell less than 10 units there in a year. The cost of registering in all of them adds up to too much. And yet, my packaging is all mostly recyclable and/or made from recycled and reused materials.
It's a shame, because I do fairly often get big (expensive) orders for say Austria or Germany on Etsy or my site. Anyone in the same boat?
12 replies
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
And Amazon, will you stop flagging my posts as containing "personal data". It's hardly personal.
Seller_ae51e0CJoHqCX
I'm, dropping the EU and not just due to the regulations. I'm already signed up to everything that needs to be signed up to, VAT regs, packaging etc and all I can say is that you get nothing but stress, issues and spam.
Just not worth it, concentrate on the UK market, they will be sure to come across the same obstacles the other way.
Seller_h4Q5gMZtEy3ym
It's not about paying for non-recyclable packaging, it's about being responsible for the waste you put on each market (i.e. packaging in particular).
Reporting and paying waste management fees in countries like France and Germany is reasonable for small businesses. In Spain though they have some idea that every business is the size of Unilever and have an enormous flat rate fee. It's frustrating, but it's hardly the most annoying thing about selling internationally, and it's inevitable the EPR requirements will be harmonised across the EU to help reduce trade barriers and improve enforcement (it has indeed already been discussed).
Don't think the UK is exempt from this! Check the Gov.UK site for "extended producer responsibility".
Seller_ZjZ4slOF0jHpk
Lost the link but eventually tracked it down. I know the new forum doesn't allow external links so, lets try this - verpackungslizenz24 .de / en / eu-packaging-licence/ (remove spaces)
Some have no obligations, some have high thresholds but then others have mandatory (or even require a local representative) registration & fees.
