EPR in Finland: What Brand Owners Need to Know 

Key Takeaways

• Understand the Finnish EPR Framework by learning about financial and operational obligations.

• Gain clarity on reporting frequencies and invoicing cycles in the Finnish market.

• Stay compliant by identifying key reporting dates and the specific requirements for record-keeping.

Introduction

Before December 31, 2023, Finland applied an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) revenue threshold of one million euros in global annual turnover for packaging. As of 1 January 2024, this threshold was removed. Consequently, all companies placing packaging on the Finnish market are now required to fulfil legal EPR obligations, including take-back, disposal, and recycling, regardless of their size.

In other words, as of 2024, all companies that put packaging on the market in Finland are required to finance its collection, disposal, and recycling under EPR.

In this article, we address the key information that companies placing packaging on the Finnish market should be aware of. We focus on how the system works today and what companies must do to stay compliant.

What does Extended Producer Responsibility mean in Finland?

EPR is a regulatory framework under which companies placing packaged products on the Finnish market are financially responsible for managing packaging waste once it becomes waste.

The system is governed by Finland’s Waste Act 646/2011 (as amended) and the Government Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste 518/2014, ensuring producers contribute to national recycling and recovery targets.

Who must comply with EPR requirements in Finland?

EPR obligations apply to any company that first places packaging on the Finnish market, including:

• Finnish manufacturers and packers

• Importers and intra-EU acquirers

• Brand owners or retailers selling private-label products

• Distance sellers selling directly to Finnish consumers (via an authorised representative)

There is no minimum volume threshold - even small quantities trigger compliance obligations.

Which packaging types fall within the scope?

Most packaging is covered under Finnish EPR, including:

• Household packaging (plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, metal, wood and composites)

• Commercial and industrial packaging

• Medical packaging

• Single-use and reusable packaging

Which packaging types fall outside the scope?

• Finland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is excluded, as it follows a separate reporting system.

• Single-use plastic  (SUP) cups: Disposable cups sold empty to the consumer are classified as products rather than packaging.

These may require separate workflows or submissions.

How is EPR managed in practice in Finland?

Companies typically fulfil their obligations by joining a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). PROs organise nationwide collection and recycling systems and manage reporting submissions on behalf of members.

In Finland, packaging compliance is mainly handled through Finnish Packaging Producers Ltd, operated via RINKI Oy.

Regulatory supervision is carried out by the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre.

What reporting period applies in Finland?

Finnish packaging EPR follows a calendar-year reporting structure:

Reporting period: 1 January - 31 December

Packaging data is reported after the year ends.

Companies must track packaging volumes continuously and maintain accurate weight and material data records for at least five years for audit purposes.

What reporting frequency can companies choose?

Businesses reporting via RINKI may choose between:

Annual reporting

• Packaging data is submitted once per year after the reporting period

• Advance invoices may be issued quarterly based on previous volumes

• Final adjustments are made once actual data is reported

Quarterly reporting

• Reports submitted after each quarter

• Payments made following submission

Administrative service fees and certain additional levies are typically invoiced annually.

How are reporting and invoicing timelines structured?

The following schedules apply to the respective reporting period (1 January – 31 December). Your specific deadlines and payment dates depend on whether you report packaging volumes annually or quarterly.

Annual Reporting

• Reporting Deadline: 31 January of the year following the reporting period (e.g., January 2026 for 2025 data).

• Payment Schedule: Recycling fees are paid via advance invoices issued each quarter of the reporting year.

  • These are based on one-quarter of the previous year's volumes, priced according to the price list of the respective year.

  • Final Adjustment: Invoices are adjusted to reflect actual volumes once the report is submitted at the beginning of the following year.

• Other Fees: The Business Service Fee and Single-use plastic fees are invoiced once a year.

Quarterly Reporting

• Reporting Deadline: By the end of the month following each quarter (e.g., Q1 data is due by 30 April of the respective year).

• Payment Schedule: Recycling fees are invoiced quarterly after reporting, based on your actual submitted volumes.

• Other Fees: While reporting occurs quarterly, the Business Service Fee and Single-use plastic fees are still invoiced only once a year.

The Business Service Fee and Single-Use Plastic (SUP) fees are invoiced once a year.

How does registration work for EPR Finland?

To become compliant, companies must:

• Submit their Producer Responsibility registration through the Pirkanmaa ELY e-service

• Join an approved PRO such as RINKI Ltd

• Receive a Producer ID

• Report packaging data as required 

• Pay eco-fees, financing collection and recycling

• Retain records of material and weight data for a minimum of five years for auditing purposes

Foreign companies selling directly into Finland must appoint an authorised representative established locally.

What deadlines should businesses monitor?

While exact submission dates depend on reporting frequency and PRO requirements, companies should expect:

• Regular reporting deadlines following each reporting period

• Annual submissions after the calendar year ends

• Payment schedules aligned with reporting or advance invoicing

Missing deadlines may result in additional fees or compliance risks.

Recyda’s software: EPR compliance in Finland

We’re pleased to share that our software platform now fully supports EPR compliance requirements in Finland.

With this functionality, producers can efficiently calculate, prepare and submit their 2026 reporting using Recyda Finland EPR Software. This makes it significantly easier to assess packaging obligations and ensure reporting aligns with the requirements of the Finnish scheme.

Some of the additional benefits include:

• Centralise packaging data

• Generate reporting-ready exports aligned with RINKI formats

• Track reporting periods accurately

• Reduce manual errors and compliance risks

Ultimately, our software platform provides a centralised way to review your entire packaging portfolio, while ensuring your EPR reporting and compliance are accurate and reducing potential reporting gaps.