This month we are returning to Amsterdam for our 20th Annual EMEA Summit. The importance of returns management has become a high priority for all companies who make and sell any products, direct to consumer or to other businesses, due to the growing rates of returns, the costs, and the legislative regulations being put in place by governments and by the demands of the marketplace and the consumer.
The European region has focused on sustainability and now circularity for some time. As a reminder, the 27 countries in the European Union have over 445 million people in a geography that is less than half of the USA. Therefore, the focus on Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle has been strong for years. In Amsterdam, June 24-26, the RLA will have speakers who work with the European Union to develop legislative guidelines for products in the marketplace to have circularity solutions. The EU has put in place Extended Producer Responsibility laws, the Digital Passport Program, and other laws for companies based in Europe, but also those global companies who do business in Europe.
All this to say we have much to learn from our EMEA colleagues who have led the move for our industry to become more about circularity and less about recycling or liquidation. Returns will continue to grow because of the growth of e-commerce sales. The RLA community will continue to be the source for solutions between our retailers and manufacturers from our industry partners. Join us in Amsterdam and learn how to make a difference.