Distributor
A business that supplies packaged goods or packaging materials to other businesses in the supply chain. Distributors have EPR obligations for any packaging they handle above the obligated thresholds.
A distributor is an activity type under pEPR covering businesses that supply packaging or packaged goods further along the supply chain. This includes wholesalers, logistics providers, and other intermediaries.
Distributors are obligated for:
- Transit packaging they introduce (e.g., stretch wrap, pallets)
- Secondary packaging they add to consignments
- Any packaging they import as part of their distribution operations
Distributors do not typically have obligations for the primary packaging on goods they distribute — that obligation falls to the brand owner. However, they must report any packaging they themselves add to goods during the distribution process. If a distributor also performs other activities (e.g., importing, packing), they must report under each relevant activity type.
Related Terms
Obligated Producer
A business that meets the legal thresholds for packaging tonnage and turnover, m...
Brand Owner
A producer category under EPR referring to the business whose brand appears on p...
Activity Type
The classification of a producer's role in the packaging supply chain, such as b...
Secondary Packaging
Packaging used to group multiple primary packages together, often for display or...
Transit Packaging
Packaging used to protect goods during transport and distribution, which is typi...
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