1、EPR Smart regulation or stealth tax?REPORTA global long-term view on Extended Producer Responsibility across key materialsExtended Producer Responsibility(EPR)is a widely adopted policy tool under which producers pay fees to cover the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire li

2、fecycle.It is implemented in many parts of Europe and other developed regions,with growing interest from emerging economies.The global EPR market is currently estimated to be worth around EUR 20-25 billion,with Europe accounting for around 70 percent.In well-regulated markets,EPR helps close the gap

3、 between waste recovery costs and the market value of recyclable materials.Globally,however,coverage remains limited,leaving much of the financial burden on municipalities and governments.This has direct implications for industry.For producers,EPR costs can be significant,particularly in packaging,w

4、here fees may account for up to two percent of revenues and a substantial share of operating profit.Ensuring that these funds ultimately passed on to consumers are used efficiently is critical.When they are well designed and enforced,EPR systems can serve as effective regulatory mechanisms,deliverin

5、g material recovery rates of more than 80 percent,as seen in Belgium and Germany.Without effective governance,however,EPR systems can impose substantial costs on producers and consumers alike while delivering little meaningful environmental impact.Looking ahead,the policy landscape remains fluid.In

6、the near to medium term,shifting public policy priorities in some regions may slow the adoption of EPR.Nevertheless,EPR remains the leading policy tool for advancing circularity,acting as a targeted subsidy that channels resources to critical points along the value chain.If it is implemented properl