DPA and EPR
This page provides an introduction to DPA and producer responsibility. It gives an overview of DPA’s role and responsibilities in the administration of producer responsibility schemes, and explains what producer responsibility means for businesses.
Danish Producer Responsibility
Danish Producer Responsibility (DPA) administers producer responsibility schemes in Denmark. DPA operates the Producer Responsibility Register, develops digital reporting solutions, and processes data on businesses, products, and quantities across the areas subject to producer responsibility.
DPA is an independent, non-profit organisation that operates on a neutral and transparent basis. Our role is to support an effective producer responsibility system, enabling businesses to register, report data, and comply with regulatory requirements.
Producer responsibility means that producers and importers are responsible for the products they put on the market, including when those products become waste. The legislation aims to promote proper waste management, increase reuse and recycling, and support the efficient use of resources.
From WEEE-System to Danish Producer Responsibility
DPA was established in 2005 under the name WEEE-System to create and operate a national register for producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment.
In 2009, the organisation was renamed Danish Producer Responsibility System when its responsibilities were expanded to include batteries and accumulators.
From 2012 onwards, DPA took on responsibilities within the vehicle sector. On 1 May 2015, these were expanded to include operation of the national vehicle scrappage scheme, covering both scrappage compensation and the environmentally sound treatment of end-of-life vehicles.
In 2021, the organisation adopted the name Danish Producer Responsibility. Today, DPA is used as the organisation’s primary name.
What is producer responsibility?
Producer responsibility is an environmental policy principle under which producers and importers are responsible for the products they put on the market. Depending on the legislation, this responsibility may include registration, reporting, financing, waste management, and documentation requirements.
The framework is based on the polluter pays principle, which places greater responsibility for managing end-of-life products on the companies that introduce them to the market.
At the same time, producer responsibility is intended to encourage businesses to consider environmental impact, resource efficiency, and recyclability earlier in a product’s lifecycle.
DPA’s responsibilities
DPA performs tasks delegated by public authorities. These include operating and developing The Danish producer register, providing regulatory guidance, processing reporting submissions, ensuring data quality, and issuing determinations within delegated areas of responsibility.
Data plays a central role in DPA’s work. We collect, validate, and process information from producers, collective schemes, and public authorities. This information is used to calculate and allocate producer obligations, support national reporting to The Danish Environmental Protection Agency, and fulfil Denmark’s reporting obligations to the European Commission.
DPA also works to make data accessible, comparable, and usable where legislation permits. This supports informed decision-making on waste management, resource use, and the transition to a circular economy.
Confidential information is handled in accordance with applicable requirements for documentation, traceability, records management, and data security.
All administrative processes are based on clear, consistent, and transparent criteria to ensure equal treatment of businesses and a level playing field.
Areas of producer responsibility
DPA administers several areas of producer responsibility. While the commonly used names are applied in day-to-day communication, abbreviations are frequently used in legislation, EU policy, and technical contexts.
Producer responsibility is internationally referred to as EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility).
Batteries
The term batteries covers both batteries and accumulators. The area is also referred to as BAT, the abbreviation used for batteries, accumulators, and waste batteries.
Vehicles
The term vehicles refers to end-of-life vehicles and is commonly abbreviated as ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles).
Electrical and electronic equipment
The term electrical and electronic equipment is also referred to as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
Packaging
The term packaging covers packaging put on the Danish market. In an EU context, the abbreviations PPWD (Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) and PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) are commonly used.
Single-use plastics
The term single-use plastics refers to specific single-use plastic products subject to producer responsibility. In EU legislation, the area is commonly referred to as SUP (Single-Use Plastics).
Fishing gear
The term fishing gear refers to fishing gear containing plastic. In EU legislation, the area is often described as fishing gear containing plastic, although there is no widely used abbreviation equivalent to WEEE, BAT, ELV, or SUP.
Funding and transparency
DPA’s activities are funded through fees paid by producers. These fees cover the cost of administering producer responsibility schemes, operating the register, developing digital solutions, and processing data.
To support compliance and transparency, DPA publishes guidance, administrative procedures, and relevant information on this website. The aim is to help businesses comply with the rules efficiently and with the lowest possible administrative burden.