Press release: Temu Signs EPR Battery Compliance Agreement with Finland’s Recser

The global e-commerce platform Temu (operating in Europe as Whaleco Technology Limited) has entered into a cooperation agreement with Recser Oy, the Finnish battery producer responsibility organization. The agreement, which came into effect in May 2026, ensures that sellers operating on Temu’s platform comply with statutory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations for batteries in Finland. 

As part of the cooperation, Temu will centrally manage seller registration, reporting and producer responsibility fee obligations through Recser on behalf of distance sellers operating on its platform. This centralised model simplifies compliance and helps ensure that the collection and recycling of batteries are carried out in accordance with Finnish legislation. 

“This cooperation provides sellers on Temu with a practical way to fulfill their battery producer responsibility obligations in Finland,” says a Temu spokesperson. “It is part of Temu’s broader efforts to support sellers in complying with local environmental requirements across Europe.” 

“A well-functioning producer responsibility system is a key component of corporate environmental responsibility. It is important that international e-commerce platforms also participate and ensure that the waste management and recycling of products placed on the market are properly organised,” says Liisa‑Marie Stenbäck, CEO of Recser Oy. 

Finland operates a statutory producer responsibility system under which producers are responsible for the waste management and recycling of products after use. These obligations also apply to foreign e-commerce companies and distance sellers that sell products directly to Finnish consumers. 

The centralised operating model supports the efficient implementation of producer responsibility in a rapidly growing platform-based e-commerce environment. While voluntary for marketplace platforms, without such a model each individual distance seller would need to register separately with a producer responsibility organisation. Temu’s cooperation with Recser increases the number of Recser’s member producers significantly as the platform model brings a large number of sellers at once. 

Temu provides an example of how international e-commerce platforms can organise producer responsibility centrally in Finland. Broad participation is essential to ensure that collection and recycling systems function effectively and in compliance with legislation. 

The cooperation forms part of Temu’s broader commitment to complying with European Union environmental legislation. To date, the company has partnered with more than 60 approved producer responsibility organisations across product categories such as packaging, batteries, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). 

Background information on producer responsibility and distance selling 

• What does producer responsibility mean in practice? 

Producer responsibility means that companies placing products on the market are responsible for managing those products at the end of their life cycle. In practice, companies usually fulfil their obligations through producer responsibility organisations, which arrange collection, recycling, and other statutory duties on their behalf. For batteries and accumulators, these responsibilities are managed by Recser. 

• What does a producer responsibility organisation do, and what are the benefits? 

A producer responsibility organisation manages the practical implementation of producer responsibility on behalf of companies. It maintains a nationwide collection network, organises the treatment and recycling of collected products, takes care of regulatory reporting, and provides guidance and communications related to producer responsibility. A centralised system enables companies to fulfil their statutory obligations efficiently and ensures that collection and recycling are carried out consistently across the country. 

• What does Recser do? 

Recser is a non-profit producer responsibility organisation established by battery and accumulator producers. Its role is to manage its members’ producer responsibility obligations efficiently and consistently. It maintains the collection network, coordinates collection and recycling activities, and takes care of regulatory reporting, guidance, and communications. 

• What does distance selling mean in this context? 

Distance selling refers to a situation where a company sells products directly to consumers in another country, for example through an online store. In such cases, the company must fulfil its producer responsibility obligations in the country where the products are sold. If a company sells batteries or accumulators directly to consumers in Finland, it must comply with Finland’s producer responsibility requirements. 

About Temu   

Temu is a global e-commerce platform connecting consumers with millions of manufacturers, brands, and business partners. Operating in more than 90 markets worldwide, Temu is committed to providing affordable, high-quality products that enable customers to live better lives. 

More information:

Liisa-Marie Stenbäck
Toimitusjohtaja
Recser Oy – Paristokierrätys
Puh: 010 249 1704
liisa-marie.stenback(a)recser.fi