How long does EPR registration actually take, country by country?
Plan your compliance timeline with verified lead times from national packaging authorities.
Extended producer responsibility registration processing lead times vary across Europe because each national packaging authority operates its own independent administrative system. In France, you will receive your unique identifier within 8 days maximum after your packaging compliance membership is confirmed by your chosen French producer responsibility organisation.
Lead time matters more than it used to, because you cannot start selling while you wait. Since 12 August 2026, Article 44(4) of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 prohibits making packaging available in a member state before you are registered there, and Article 44(2) requires that registration in every member state where you first place packaging on the market. Low volume does not remove the duty either: under Article 44(8), a producer placing under 10 tonnes a year on a market still registers but reports a reduced data set (due by 1 June each year). So treat the processing times below as work that must finish before your first order ships, not alongside it.
This registration processing lead time is distinct from statutory compliance deadlines, which you can track in our guide on EPR registration rules in the EU for 2026. If you are unsure whether these rules apply to your e-commerce business, read our article on who needs to register for epr.
France: Citeo and Adelphe processing times
France operates a strict system where there is no minimum threshold; compliance is required from your first packaging unit. When registering with the Citeo online registration portal, the registration contract is signed online, and you receive confirmation of your membership within a few days. If you choose Adelphe, you can also complete the Adelphe online registration form in a few clicks to establish your contract.
Once your packaging compliance contract is signed and confirmed, your chosen producer responsibility organisation submits your details to the French agency for ecological transition (ADEME). ADEME generates your Unique Identifier Number (UIN), known as the Identifiant Unique (IDU). Your provider will send you your unique identifier within 8 days maximum of your membership confirmation. This unique identifier must be displayed in your terms and conditions, contract documents, and on your website.
If you place packaged products on the market without a valid unique identifier (IDU), you risk an administrative fine of up to €30,000 under Article L541-9-5 of the French Environmental Code.
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Italy: CONAI registration and portal activation
In Italy, producers and importers of packaged goods must join the national packaging consortium, CONAI. The membership process is fully digital. You must submit your application through the official CONAI online registration portal, which routes the request via the national "impresainungiorno" web portal. This system requires authentication via SPID or the Carta Nazionale dei Servizi (CNS).
Initial membership confirmation and the assignment of your socio code are completed online as soon as the application is transmitted. However, if you need to set up a full or declaring user profile to submit your periodic packaging reports, the system requires a manual check. Activating that profile in the CONAI declarations portal therefore takes a little longer than the initial sign-up before your account is fully ready to file.
Packaging EPR registration processing times compared
The following table summarises the registration processing lead times stated by national authorities and schemes across the EU:
| Country | Scheme / Authority | Initial Registration | Unique Identifier (IDU / UIN) Delivery | Portal Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Citeo / Adelphe | Within a few days | Within 8 days maximum | Immediate upon membership |
| Italy | CONAI | Immediate online | Not applicable | Manual check for declarations profile |
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Sources:
- Citeo on membership confirmation and the 8-day unique-identifier delivery
- Citeo online registration portal for producers
- Adelphe online registration form for packaging and papers
- Article L541-9-5 of the French Environmental Code on the €30,000 fine (Légifrance)
- ADEME on the mandatory display of the unique identifier (IDU)
- CONAI online registration portal via impresainungiorno
- CONAI declarations portal for periodic packaging reports
Frequently asked questions
- Can I start selling while my EPR registration is still processing?
- No. Since 12 August 2026, Article 44(4) of the PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) prohibits making packaging available in a member state before you are registered there, so finish registration before your first order ships.
- How long does it take to get a French unique identifier?
- Once your membership is confirmed, your éco-organisme (Citeo or Adelphe) sends you the ADEME-generated unique identifier within 8 days maximum.
- Can I register with CONAI in Italy immediately?
- Yes, the initial membership application with CONAI is completed online through the national impresainungiorno portal, though activating a full declarations profile requires a separate manual check before you can file.
- What is the penalty for selling without an EPR number in France?
- Selling packaging without a valid unique identifier (IDU) can result in administrative fines of up to €30,000 under the French Environmental Code.
- Is my French unique identifier valid indefinitely?
- Yes, your French unique identifier remains valid for the entire duration of your contract with your producer responsibility organisation.
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