What Is an EPR Number & How to Get One (2026)

An EPR number is the unique registration code a national environmental authority issues once you sign up to finance the recycling of your packaging. Obtaining it is normally free, marketplaces are legally required to check it, and it is country-specific – you need a separate number in every EU market you sell into. Germany's LUCID registration has zero minimum threshold: it must be in place before your first box ships.

If you sell physical products across the EU, you have likely received an urgent warning from a marketplace or shipping partner demanding your EPR number. Below is what it is, why platforms require it, and the exact steps to register in key European markets.

Key takeaways

• An EPR number proves to authorities and marketplaces that you are financing the recycling of the packaging you ship.
• The number itself is usually free. The ongoing cost is the packaging fees you pay a PRO by weight and material.
• There is no EU-wide number: Germany issues a LUCID number, France an Identifiant Unique (IDU), and Sweden registers you through Naturvårdsverket.

What is an EPR registration number?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires businesses to finance the end-of-life recycling of the packaging they introduce to a market. When you register with a national environmental authority to fulfill this obligation, you are issued a unique EPR number.

This identifier proves to the government and your business partners that you are a compliant producer. You must often display this number on your invoices, storefront, or marketplace profile. Crucially, there is no single EU-wide registration portal. The European Commission requires packaging waste to be registered and reported on a per-country basis, so you obtain a distinct number for each individual country where you sell goods. For a broader overview of the policy, read our guide on What is EPR.

Why do marketplaces require an EPR number for Amazon?

In recent years, countries like Germany and France introduced strict marketplace liability laws. This means platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are legally liable if their third-party sellers dodge their environmental fees.

To protect themselves from massive regulatory fines, these platforms strictly enforce the rules. They will actively block your sales and suspend your listings if you do not have a valid EPR number for Amazon on your Seller Central profile. You cannot bypass this requirement if you wish to sell on major online channels.

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How do you get an EPR number in key EU countries?

The registration process varies wildly depending on the specific country your packaging ends up in. The process works differently in each of three major e-commerce markets.

Getting a LUCID number in Germany

In Germany, the EPR registration number is commonly referred to as a LUCID number.

• You must register directly with the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) via the LUCID web portal operated by the German ZSVR.
• Registration is free and there is zero minimum threshold. You must be registered before you ship your first box.
• After obtaining your LUCID number, you must sign a contract with a private dual system to pay your actual packaging fees.

Getting an IDU in France

France uses the Identifiant Unique (IDU).

• To get your IDU France, you do not register directly with the government first.
• Instead, you must affiliate with an approved Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) such as Citeo or Léko.
• Once you join the PRO, they will register you with the national authority (ADEME via the SYDEREP portal) and issue your unique IDU.

Registering in Sweden

In Sweden, the process requires direct engagement with the environmental protection agency.

• You must register your business directly with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).
• After receiving your registration confirmation, you must then affiliate with an approved PRO (such as NPA or TMR).
• The PRO handles the physical recycling financing and the ongoing reporting to the authorities on your behalf.

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Sources:

• ZSVR – LUCID Packaging Register
• Naturvårdsverket – Producer Responsibility for Packaging
• European Commission – Packaging Waste Overview