Trio of Reconomy brands partner to offer global EPR compliance solution

Three brands under the United Kingdom-based Reconomy Group umbrella, Valpak, Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) and Noventiz, have combined their expertise in extended producer responsibility (EPR) compliance to launch a global service offering called Comply Loop.

With offices already in place around the world, Reconomy says the new offering will help businesses meet compliance needs across national boundaries, manage complex circular take-back for products and provide the tools and expertise needed to analyze large volumes of data.

“The scale and challenges of EPR compliance are growing at a phenomenal rate,” Reconomy Comply Division CEO Patrick Wiedemann says. “Throughout Europe, we are seeing both upgrades to existing regulations and the introduction of new legislation for products such as textiles. Other regions, such as North America and Asia, have followed suit. For the brands navigating these systems—and states looking to implement effective systems—the challenges are complex.

“We already service over 15,000 customers, including Fortune 500 brands, and our integrated capabilities in Comply Loop are a key part of Reconomy’s purpose to enable the circular economy,” Wiedemann adds. “Between our brands Valpak, RLG and Noventiz, we share a depth of experience in operating compliance schemes and running producer responsibility organizations. This, combined with our skill in data management and the ability to manage vast networks, gives us the ability to expand quickly into new markets.”

As an example, Wiedemann cites the group’s use of its combined expertise to build a municipal collection system for almost 100 Canadian municipalities in one year. In the U.K., he says teams are analyzing data and advising brands on new EPR regulations, while in India, Reconomy is helping to implement new waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), battery and tire regulations.

The Comply Loop service is based on five categories:

• environmental compliance, which operates country or state-level producer responsibility organizations (PROs), helps brands assess and fulfill their obligations, as well as registers and reports on their behalf;
• data management, which pairs legislation with high-quality product through innovative tools and an expert consulting team to simplify compliance reporting, analyze data and make meaningful changes;
• deposit returns systems (DRS), where Reconomy implements or operates successful beverage container deposit return systems based on its experience managing DRS around the world;
• consultancy and advice, where the group provides a range of bespoke services, including horizon scanning for future legislation, packaging analysis, zero waste to landfill certification and more; and
• circular take-back, where it develops customized solutions for take-back and recycling, complete with a full data trail.

While U.K.-based Valpak and Germany-based RLG and Noventiz will continue to service their customers directly, the integrated Comply Loop solution will provide significantly enhanced expertise and overall outcomes, according to Reconomy.

For example, where Valpak specializes in data services and consulting, Noventiz and RLG have experience in operating producer responsibility organizations and circular take-back systems. RLG’s offices around the world will help to provide a deeper understanding of compliance markets globally.

“Valpak is best known for its depth and analysis of data,” Valpak CEO Steve Gough says. “Through Comply Loop, we have an exciting opportunity to offer these services to the U.K. market and across the world.

“While many of our customers trade solely in the U.K., an increasing number are navigating the complexities of international compliance,” Gough adds. “With offices overseas, Comply Loop will bring greater awareness of these local markets. At the same time, we can also respond to the needs of those companies that make procurement decisions more centrally.”

Noventiz CEO Dirk Boxhammer says Comply Loop presents a fantastic opportunity to offer a wider range of services to its customers.

“In general, brands want to focus on their business; compliance can seem like an onerous hurdle,” he says. “Our network of experts can help to tackle the challenges of international compliance. This will make life much easier for our customers. They will still have a local key contact but will also gain access to an extensive product catalog.”