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Packaging obligations in Greece (2026)

Draft

Verified on: 2026-09-01

EU framework: PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026

National: Law 2939/2001 on packaging and alternative recovery (including Art. 4Β on the producer register ΕΜΠΑ, inserted by Law 4496/2017) and framework Law 4819/2021 (EPR framework, ΕΟΑΝ; Art. 9(5) on the εξουσιοδοτημένος αντιπρόσωπος (authorised representative), Art. 11 on the ΕΜΠΑ); most recently amended/codified by Law 5270/2026 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 9/23.01.2026).

The ΕΟΑΝ (Ελληνικός Οργανισμός Ανακύκλωσης / Hellenic Recycling Agency) supervises the EPR schemes and keeps the National Producer Register ΕΜΠΑ. The central collective scheme (ΣΣΕΔ, collective alternative management system) for packaging is ΕΕΑΑ/HERRCO ('blue bins'); the approval of the second scheme, Ανταποδοτική Ανακύκλωση, has been legally contested for years (revocation by the ΕΟΑΝ in 2012, partial annulment by the Council of State in 2014) – verify its status with the ΕΟΑΝ before joining. For single-use beverage packaging (plastic bottles and metal cans up to 3 l), the DRS Hellas deposit return scheme is being activated in stages (deposit €0.10 up to 0.5 l and €0.15 above 0.5 up to 3 l); beverage sellers should monitor the launch.

Packaging EPR (Greece)

Anyone making packaged goods available on the Greek market for the first time (filler/importer, including shipping packaging in online retail) must register in the ΕΟΑΝ's National Producer Register ΕΜΠΑ before placing goods on the market, join an approved collective scheme (ΣΣΕΔ, above all ΕΕΑΑ/HERRCO) and report volumes. The register number (ΑΜΠ) must be stated on sales documents (invoices); without ΕΜΠΑ registration, market access (including public procurement) is barred.

Authorised representative: 
Under Art. 9(5) of Law 4819/2021, producers established in other EU Member States who make products available in Greece MAY appoint a person established in Greece as their εξουσιοδοτημένος αντιπρόσωπος. Since 12 Aug 2026, Art. 45 PPWR makes the appointment mandatory for distance sellers without a Greek establishment. In practice, ΕΜΠΑ registration for traders not established in Greece is in any case possible only via a Greek representative (e.g. tax adviser/compliance service provider).
Cross-border: 
Foreign online sellers making direct sales to Greek end customers count as the producer for the packaging and need ΕΜΠΑ registration plus ΣΣΕΔ membership; no de minimis threshold is provided (the obligation applies from the first unit). For sales via platforms, according to practical guides the producer obligation passes to the platform if the seller cannot prove an ΕΜΠΑ registration. Breaches of the registration and reporting obligations carry fines under Art. 20Α of Law 2939/2001.
Costs: 
The contributions (χρηματικές εισφορές) to the collective scheme are set per material and volume in the membership agreement; no public standard tariff of ΕΕΑΑ/HERRCO is published. Costs of ΕΜΠΑ registration: no reliable public figure.
Deadlines: 
ΕΜΠΑ registration and ΣΣΕΔ membership before placing goods on the market; annual ΕΜΠΑ report (according to practical guides by 31 March). PPWR authorised-representative obligation for distance sellers since 12 Aug 2026. DRS Hellas deposit return scheme being activated in stages.

Typical steps

  1. Determine which packaging (sales, grouped and shipping packaging) arises on the Greek market.
  2. Without an establishment in Greece: mandate a Greek authorised representative (εξουσιοδοτημένος αντιπρόσωπος) (mandatory for distance sellers under Art. 45 PPWR since 12 Aug 2026).
  3. Register in the ΕΜΠΑ (empa.eoan.gr) before placing goods on the market and obtain your ΑΜΠ number.
  4. Conclude a membership agreement with the collective scheme ΕΕΑΑ/HERRCO (ΣΣΕΔ ΑΝΑΚΥΚΛΩΣΗ) and report volumes per material (portal declarations.herrco.gr).
  5. State the ΑΜΠ number on invoices and sales documents.
  6. Submit the annual ΕΜΠΑ report on time (according to practical guides by 31 March for the previous year; verify the deadline officially).
  7. When selling beverages (plastic bottles/cans up to 3 l): monitor the launch and registration obligations of the DRS Hellas deposit return scheme.

Providers for this obligation

ΕΕΑΑ / HERRCO – Ελληνική Εταιρεία Αξιοποίησης Ανακύκλωσης (Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation)

Sources: ΕΟΑΝ – Was ist das Nationale Produzentenregister (ΕΜΠΑ) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Taxheaven – ΕΜΠΑ-Registrierungspflicht (Art. 4Β Gesetz 2939/2001: Pflichtenkreis, ΑΜΠ auf Verkaufsbelegen, Sanktionen) (accessed 2026-09-01) · e-nomothesia – Gesetz 4819/2021 (Art. 9 Abs. 5 Bevollmächtigter, Art. 11 ΕΜΠΑ) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Taxheaven – Gesetz 4819/2021, kodifiziert mit Gesetz 5270/2026 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 9/23.01.2026) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ΕΕΑΑ/HERRCO – zugelassenes Kollektivsystem für Verpackungen (blaue Tonnen) (accessed 2026-09-01) · DRS Hellas – griechisches Pfandsystem (stufenweise Aktivierung; Pfand 0,10/0,15 €) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ecosistant (Dienstleisterquelle) – ΕΜΠΑ-Registrierung ausländischer Onlinehändler nur über griechischen Vertreter (accessed 2026-09-01) · Repax (Dienstleisterquelle) – Ablauf ΕΜΠΑ/ΣΣΕΔ, Jahresmeldung bis 31.03., Plattformregel (accessed 2026-09-01)

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Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.