ArtShop Finland’s smooth adoption of producer responsibility obligations

Please tell us about ArtShop Finland, Aki Heiskanen, Managing Director.

ArtShop Finland Oy is an art supply and framing shop founded in 1997. ArtShop has operated under its current name since 2007, when we also set up an online art supplies shop. Our online shop has sold posters and postcards by Kaj Stenvall and Minna Immonen, as well as Moomin posters and postcards. Now our online store focuses solely on art supplies. Our shop in Lahti also offers a framing service.

How did you hear about the producer responsibility scheme for packaging?

I think the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre sent us a newsletter by post.

How did you find your first experiences with the producer responsibility system?

It was very confusing at first, and we had to ask for more information here and there, and nobody seemed to know if it affected our company. Eventually, it was Rinki’s customer service team that gave us answers to our questions.

What kind of support have you received for managing your producer responsibility obligations?

Rinki sends us newsletters by email every month, including price lists and instructions for reporting.

What tip would you give other small companies with producer responsibility?

Find out what kind of regulations apply to your company; it’s not rocket science. Of course, I personally would like manufacturers and importers to be the ones to report and charge for all packaging as they could add the costs of producer responsibility to the prices of the packaging. This would save small companies from unnecessary reporting and Rinki from the hassle of invoicing them. I bet there are a lot of freeriders in the current system.