Development and testing of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPR) within the priority Circular Economy Action Plan value chains
Innovation Actions under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 – Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
Funding Amount
€5.0M - €5.0M
Deadline
17/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Development and testing of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPR) within the priority Circular Economy Action Plan value chains Call?
Grant Description
Support the development, testing and demonstration of large scale Extended Producer Responsibility schemes with eco-modulated fees in selected product value chains. Activities include novel circular business models, cost-benefit assessments, digital technologies (product passports, tracking), and policy recommendations. The aim is to improve circularity, durability, reusability, repairability and recyclability of consumer products, increase separate collection and waste management efficiency, an...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Demonstrated innovative, scalable EPR schemes adopted by producers, producer organisations and actors across the EU and Associated Countries, including cross‐border collaboration.
• Measurable improvements in circularity, durability, reliability, reusability, repairability and recyclability of targeted consumer products.
• Enhanced knowledge and awareness among economic operators (particularly SMEs) and consumers on EPR schemes, eco‐modulation of fees, and their role in reducing primary resource demand, GHG emissions, pollution and biodiversity pressure.
• Optimised performance and increased uptake of EPR schemes in the priority product chains: construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses and carpets.
• More efficient separate collection and waste management systems, with documented environmental and socioeconomic benefits.
• Concrete policy and regulatory recommendations to drive further EPR uptake, waste prevention and circular design practices.
• Strengthened multi‐stakeholder networks and integration of digital data flows (product passports, tracking) supporting transparent EPR compliance.
• Deliverables aligned with the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, Circular Economy Act, Waste Framework Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
• Measurable improvements in circularity, durability, reliability, reusability, repairability and recyclability of targeted consumer products.
• Enhanced knowledge and awareness among economic operators (particularly SMEs) and consumers on EPR schemes, eco‐modulation of fees, and their role in reducing primary resource demand, GHG emissions, pollution and biodiversity pressure.
• Optimised performance and increased uptake of EPR schemes in the priority product chains: construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses and carpets.
• More efficient separate collection and waste management systems, with documented environmental and socioeconomic benefits.
• Concrete policy and regulatory recommendations to drive further EPR uptake, waste prevention and circular design practices.
• Strengthened multi‐stakeholder networks and integration of digital data flows (product passports, tracking) supporting transparent EPR compliance.
• Deliverables aligned with the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, Circular Economy Act, Waste Framework Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
• Target one or more of the priority product value chains: construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses and carpets.
• Implement eco-modulation of EPR fees to drive design-for-circularity in line with Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
• Demonstrate operational EPR solutions at scale, including collection, sorting, treatment and recycling processes.
• Invent and pilot novel circular business and governance models linked to EPR.
• Assess stakeholder cost–benefits, with emphasis on SMEs and consumer behaviour.
• Deploy digital technologies (digital product passports, tracking systems) for pre- and post-consumer stages.
• Deliver concrete policy proposals to minimise waste and foster cross-border EPR cooperation.
• Adopt a global value-chain perspective, addressing non-EU market actors and online sales/free-riders.
• Assemble transdisciplinary teams including SSH experts and relevant institutions.
• Foster synergies with related EU initiatives (Circular Economy Action Plan, Circular Economy Act, Waste Framework Directive, Ecodesign regulation) and Destination “Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors”.
• Target one or more of the priority product value chains: construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses and carpets.
• Implement eco-modulation of EPR fees to drive design-for-circularity in line with Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.
• Demonstrate operational EPR solutions at scale, including collection, sorting, treatment and recycling processes.
• Invent and pilot novel circular business and governance models linked to EPR.
• Assess stakeholder cost–benefits, with emphasis on SMEs and consumer behaviour.
• Deploy digital technologies (digital product passports, tracking systems) for pre- and post-consumer stages.
• Deliver concrete policy proposals to minimise waste and foster cross-border EPR cooperation.
• Adopt a global value-chain perspective, addressing non-EU market actors and online sales/free-riders.
• Assemble transdisciplinary teams including SSH experts and relevant institutions.
• Foster synergies with related EU initiatives (Circular Economy Action Plan, Circular Economy Act, Waste Framework Directive, Ecodesign regulation) and Destination “Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors”.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions under HORIZON-AG model grant agreement; single‐stage call, deadline 17 Sep 2025 (17:00 Brussels time).
• Eligibility: Consortium of entities from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see General Annex B); non‐EU/non‐Associated may join under specific funding provisions.
• The JRC may participate as partner or observer.
• Proposals must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (A–G): admissibility (page limits/layout), eligibility, capacity, exclusion, evaluation (Annex D), legal/financial setup (Annex G).
• Use designated application and evaluation templates; follow Online Manual and Programme Guide.
• Encourage synergies with EU partnerships (CBE JU, blue economy, soil/forest missions), Cluster 4/5 and initiatives (CCRI, NEB).
• SSH integration is mandatory.
• Budget indicative: ~€10–12 million per project; number of grants approx. 5.
• Eligibility: Consortium of entities from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (see General Annex B); non‐EU/non‐Associated may join under specific funding provisions.
• The JRC may participate as partner or observer.
• Proposals must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (A–G): admissibility (page limits/layout), eligibility, capacity, exclusion, evaluation (Annex D), legal/financial setup (Annex G).
• Use designated application and evaluation templates; follow Online Manual and Programme Guide.
• Encourage synergies with EU partnerships (CBE JU, blue economy, soil/forest missions), Cluster 4/5 and initiatives (CCRI, NEB).
• SSH integration is mandatory.
• Budget indicative: ~€10–12 million per project; number of grants approx. 5.
Important dates
Open from: 06/05/2025
Deadline:17/09/2025
Application period has ended
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