EPR in Latvia: Obligations, registration and implementation
For some time now, the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility ) in Latvia has held manufacturers, retailers, and others responsible for ensuring the proper disposal and recycling of their packaging and products. What’s special about the EPR in Latvia is that the thresholds are very low, and foreign companies don’t always require an authorized representative.
Below we will show you what else you need to know about the EPR in Latvia.
For Quick Readers
Latvia fundamentally expanded its EPR system in 2024, specifically adapting national regulations to EU requirements and ambitious environmental goals. The reformed Natural Resources Tax Act and the Packaging Act introduce new obligations, for example, for textiles from July 2024 and for non-recyclable plastic packaging from October 2024. Monitoring and reporting are carried out centrally via the digital TULPE system. The EPR obligation applies to all companies generating as little as 300 kg of packaging waste per year, regardless of distribution channel – including foreign suppliers who do not necessarily require an authorized representative in Latvia and can implement their compliance directly.
Current legal situation and legal framework 2024/2025
Latvia has already significantly expanded its EPR regulation in 2024. The foundation is the Natural Resources Tax Act, which has been a central component of national environmental legislation since 1995 and has been comprehensively reformed in the course of the current reform.
- Since July 2024, the EPR has been in effect in Latvia for textiles.
- In October 2024, a new plastics tax was introduced, further tightening product responsibility.
In addition to the above-mentioned Natural Resources Tax Act ( Dabas resursu nodokļa The Packaging Act serves as the second pillar , specifically regulating and supplementing the management of packaging waste. Together, they create a binding framework to ensure the collection, recovery, and recycling of various product groups.
The monitoring and implementation of EPR requirements and product responsibility in Latvia is the responsibility of the State Environmental Service (SES), which has been part of the Ministry of Smart Management and Regional Development since July 2024.
The EPR obligations apply to all actors within the country and to all those supplying packaging to Latvia, regardless of the distribution method.
These include
- Operators of online shops, including small retailers who use shipping or sales packaging for their products,
- Marketplace traders,
- retailers,
- producers,
- Importers and
- mediator.
Overview of significant legal changes:
- New plastics tax (from October 1, 2024) : €0.80 per kilogram of non-recyclable plastic packaging. The current government tax on non-recycled plastics will be transferred to the producers.
- Textile EPR (from July 1, 2024) : €0.50 per kilogram for textile products such as clothing, household linen, footwear, and accessories. Mandatory for producers, importers, and online retailers; levies can be reduced by participating in take-back schemes.
- Improved TULPE system (from October 2024) : New e-services for deposit system operators, optimized connection to the business register and tax service, automated data validation and processing.
Action Plan for the Circular Economy by 2027
In 2020, Latvia adopted a broad action plan to promote the circular economy. The focus is on the systematic transition from linear waste management to sustainable resource management.
The seven main initiatives include:
- Transition from waste management to resource management
- Improving resource productivity in all economic sectors
- Creating conditions for reuse
- Promoting the transition from purchasing goods to services
- Improving material management in priority sectors
- Strengthening the role of local communities
- Public relations and education
The concrete goals for 2027 include:
- Increase in resource productivity from 0.90 €/kg (2020) to 1.55 €/kg
- Increase in the recycling material use rate from 6.6% (2020) to 11.0%
- Measuring public awareness through Eurobarometer surveys
EPR in Latvia: WEEE, packaging and batteries
The EPR system in Latvia is based on several specialized take-back systems for packaging, batteries, electrical appliances, and vehicles. Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of these systems.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Latvia consistently implements the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU, covering all six main categories.
These include
- Temperature change devices
- Screens and monitors
- Large appliances
- Small appliances
- small IT and telecommunications equipment
- Lamps
The Latvian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (LETERA) is responsible for administering the national producer register. Registration for the EPR in Latvia is handled centrally via the digital environmental information system TULPE. An annual fee of €42.69 is charged for data maintenance in the register.
Packaging
Companies in Latvia are subject to the EPR once they reach or exceed a threshold of 300 kilograms of packaging waste in a calendar year. The obligation applies to all sales channels and includes both direct sales and marketplace transactions.
The established recycling targets are based on EU guidelines: At least 65 percent of all packaging must be recycled by 2025, rising to 70 percent by 2030. In addition, material-specific quotas apply:
- 75 percent for paper and cardboard
- 70 percent for glass
- 50 percent each for metal and plastic
- 25 percent for wood
Batteries
The legal requirements for batteries in Latvia are also based on the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) and the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC). Manufacturers and importers are required to register, comply with specified collection rates, finance take-back and disposal, and comply with specific labeling requirements .
Battery take-back and disposal system is managed by general waste management companies; for hazardous substances, specialized service providers are responsible for proper treatment and disposal.
EPR in Latvia for foreign companies
Unlike many other EU Member States, the EPR in Latvia does not necessarily require foreign companies to appoint an authorized representative ( Authorized Representative). Representative ) when a product referred to in Article 61(1) of the NRT Act or a product in packaging is placed on the market in the territory of the Republic of Latvia.
Foreign packaging suppliers and producers can fulfill their EPR obligations directly and independently, or participate in extended producer responsibility, if they are registered as taxpayers with the tax authorities. If this is not the case, they must designate a person operating commercially in the territory of the Republic of Latvia. This authorization must be provided in writing.
There are two ways to implement the EPR obligations:
Option 1 : Individual management via the TULPE system
Companies register electronically in the TULPE system, submit all required documents and submit semi-annual and annual waste management reports.
Option 2 : Membership in a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO)
Good to know: Although in Latvia there is no obligation to appoint a representative for foreign companies if they are registered with the tax authorities, independent registration and ongoing administration in the TULPE system still involves considerable administrative effort and time.
Deutsche Recycling GmbH handles all necessary steps for you, from registration to ongoing compliance, thus ensuring legally compliant, efficient, and worry-free implementation of all EPR obligations in Latvia.
Quantity notifications and reporting obligations at the EPR in Latvia
WEEE reporting in Latvia is conducted twice a year with fixed deadlines: data for the previous second half of the year must be submitted by April 30, and figures for the previous first half of the year by October 30. The reports must include detailed volume data, information on the respective product categories, geographical distribution, and information on collection and recycling.
For packaging and batteries, annual reporting is generally required by the end of March for the previous calendar year. For large volumes, additional quarterly reports are required.
Recommendations for action to fulfill the Latvian EPR
Latvia is setting new standards in EPR implementation with low thresholds and broad product coverage. The continuous development of the TULPE system and its expansion to additional product groups underscore the country’s pioneering role in the circular economy. Strict sanctions for non-compliance and the established PRO system ensure a clear framework and strengthen legal certainty for companies.
Companies are advised to review their own product portfolio for products subject to EPR, determine the annual packaging and product quantities for Latvia, and choose between membership in a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) or individual administration.
The experts at Deutsche Recycling GmbH will be happy to support you in every step – from analysis to the complete implementation of the EPR requirements.
