A month and a half after it was implemented and launched in Romania, the return guarantee system brings both challenges and significant progress in efforts to promote recycling and reduce the environmental impact of packaging pollution.

A brief X-ray of the SGR shows that by the end of 2023 (as reported after the first month of operation), beverage manufacturers have marketed 45 million products in SGR packaging – less than 1% of the estimated annual packaging volume (7 billion); approximately 2000 vouchers have been issued at RVM but no package has yet reached RetuRO.

Although there are consumers who have signaled the appearance of SGR packaging on the market, the share of these products on Romanian store shelves is still low. Reasons?! Thanks to the latest amendments to the law (HG 1075/2023), manufacturers can still produce beverages in unlabeled packaging with the SGR logo and barcode until the end of December 2023. In addition, the placement of beverages in the market does not necessarily mean a presence in the market. the shelf Distributors and retailers who have received these products are managing their stocks on a FIFO (first in, first out) basis and will gradually deliver products in SGR packaging to store shelves. Aspect also informed RetuRO after the launch of the System in Romania.

On the other hand, the stocks of major retailers were also secured several months before the winter holidays, when the return guarantee system had not yet come into force and the drinks had not yet been bottled in packaging marked in accordance with the SGR. First, retailers will release these products, with SGR packaging appearing more consistently over the next period. It is certain that after 30 June 2024 we will only find beverages (from categories covered by the SGR) in SGR packaging on the market. So, there are only 5 months left, during which we will persistently search for the mark “Packaging with a guarantee” on the label.

Regarding the enrollment of merchants in SGR, it should be noted that there are two important steps that must be completed. It’s just that they can also create some confusion among those unfamiliar with the project. If you are a trader, below we detail the steps you need to follow on the RetuRO platform.

To register, you can go to the link: https://portal.returosgr.ro. You can view the registration guide at www.returosgr.ro/info-comercianti. For support, contact the address: [email protected] or tel. 031.9003.

How to register in SGR?

The first stage involves the registration of traders on the SGR electronic platform, which is carried out in 3 stages.

1. Creating and activating a user account:
   1. Create a user account by entering the fiscal code and signatories;
   2. Activate the link received in the email and generate a password.
2. Accessing the user account and entering the necessary data:
   1. Access your user account with your username and password;
   2. Enter the required data: outlets and sales reports for the previous year and estimates for the current year;
3. Signing the registration form:
   1. After entering the data, a registration form is generated on the platform;
   2. Sign and confirm that all signatories have signed.

Video recording guide:

If you stopped here, you should know that the registration in SGR is not complete.

How to sign a contract with RetuRO?

The second step that needs to be completed is the signing of a service contract with RetuRO, the SGR administrator. The document is only available from the user account.

The accepted method of signature is electronic, directly on the platform, using a simple digital or certified signature. The process of signing the contract can be carried out only by business entities that have registered on the portal (the first stage mentioned above).

Video guide to signing a contract for sellers:

Until what time can I register for SGR?

On the part of RetuRO, the process of registration in the return guarantee system remains open for business entities subject to the SGR. But, according to the law, the legal term of registration has been exceeded, and there is a risk of applying sanctions to those who have not yet registered on the RetuRO platform and have not entered into contracts with the System Administrator.

To date, out of 80,000 potential participants, about 65,000 business entities have registered in the SGR, which are at various stages of registration in the electronic platform. More than 51,000 of them have completed the registration process and more than 17,000 have signed contracts with RetuRO.

What does it mean?! Making it easier and faster for consumers, manufacturers and large retailers to implement a return guarantee system. Small traders still have questions, need information or are fundamentally unwilling to accept the pressure on their business not only from the SGR, but also from the many tax accounting changes that hit them in early 2024. Of course, registration with the SGR is a legal obligation for economic operators who sell beverages covered by the SGR, and sooner or later they must take this step. After June 30, 2024, this process is inevitable.

On the other hand, the introduction of more products in SGR packaging and the behavior of consumers who want to return the packaging and renew the warranty will put pressure on retailers who risk losing their customers in the long term. unless they provide this simple and legitimate service. In addition, consumers have the opportunity to complain about this situation to the competent authorities (ANPC, Ecological Watch, Ministry of Natural Resources).

Of course, small traders still need clarification and point to a number of exceptional situations. But many of them find their answers both in the law establishing the implementation of the guarantee-return system for single-use primary packaging (HG 1074/2021 and amendments made by HG 1075/2023) and in the SGR guide for traders, available on the web to the RetuRO website (https://returosgr.ro/sites/default/files/2023-11/Manualul%20SGR%20pentru%20comercianti.pdf).

Article supported by RetuRO