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Packaging obligations in France (2026)

Draft

Verified on: 2026-09-01

EU framework: PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026

National: Loi AGEC (2020) and the Code de l'environnement (Art. L541-10 et seq.); Mandataire requirement under Art. L541-10-9-1 (Law No. 2026-602 of 8 Jul 2026); new filière (EPR product stream) for commercial packaging under Décret No. 2025-1081

France runs two separate packaging EPR filières: household packaging & graphic papers (EMPAP) and – new – commercial packaging (EPRO, operational start 1 Jan 2027). Under Art. L541-10-9, marketplaces must take over the EPR obligations of third-party sellers who cannot prove an IDU (Identifiant Unique).

Packaging EPR for household packaging (France)

Anyone selling packaged goods to French private customers must join an approved éco-organisme (approved French producer responsibility organisation), pay eco-contributions and hold an IDU (Identifiant Unique) in the ADEME register SYDEREP. This also covers shipping packaging in online retail.

Authority: 
ADEME
Register: 
SYDEREP (ADEME)
Authorised representative: 
Since 10 Jul 2026, producers without an establishment in France must appoint, in writing, a Mandataire established in France (Art. L541-10-9-1, Law No. 2026-602); the Mandataire steps into the EPR obligations. In addition, Art. 45 PPWR has required an authorised representative for distance selling into Member States without an establishment of your own since 12 Aug 2026. Exception: an operator already established in France (e.g. the importer/first party placing the goods on the market) fulfils the obligations for the products concerned.
Cross-border: 
Foreign online sellers making direct sales to French end customers count as the party placing the goods on the market and are themselves subject to EPR. Without a proven IDU, marketplaces must take over the EPR obligations (Art. L541-10-9) – in practice this means listings being blocked or the platform taking over the obligations at your expense.
Costs: 
Eco-contributions according to the public tariff (barème) of your chosen éco-organisme, depending on material and volume; the 2026 tariffs of Citeo, Adelphe and Léko are publicly available.
Deadlines: 
Joining and registration must take place before placing goods on the market; the Mandataire requirement has applied since 10 Jul 2026, the PPWR authorised-representative requirement since 12 Aug 2026.

Typical steps

  1. Check whether your packaging (including shipping packaging) ends up as waste in French private households.
  2. Join an approved éco-organisme: Citeo, Adelphe or Léko (approvals run until 31 Dec 2029).
  3. Without an establishment in France: appoint a Mandataire in writing (mandatory since 10 Jul 2026).
  4. Have your IDU registered via the éco-organisme in the ADEME register SYDEREP and keep it documented.
  5. Submit the annual volume declaration to the éco-organisme and pay the eco-contributions.
  6. Store the IDU with the marketplaces you use (Amazon, eBay, etc.) to avoid listing blocks.

Providers for this obligation

CiteoAdelpheLéko

Sources: Ministère de la Transition écologique – Filière EMPAP (zugelassene Öko-Organismen) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Légifrance – Art. L541-10-9-1 Code de l'environnement (Mandataire-Pflicht) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Légifrance – Art. L541-10-9 Code de l'environnement (Marktplatzpflichten) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ADEME – SYDEREP-Produzentenregister mit IDU (offener Datensatz) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Ministère – Offizielle FAQ Marktplätze / Art. L541-10-9 (PDF) (accessed 2026-09-01)

Packaging EPR for commercial packaging (France)

New EPR filière for commercial and industrial (B2B) packaging that does not end up as household waste. Affected parties placing such packaging on the market must join an approved éco-organisme from the operational start and report volumes.

Authority: 
ADEME
Register: 
SYDEREP (ADEME)
Authorised representative: 
As for household packaging: producers without an establishment in France have had to appoint a Mandataire since 10 Jul 2026 (Art. L541-10-9-1); in addition, the PPWR authorised-representative requirement (Art. 45) has applied since 12 Aug 2026.
Cross-border: 
Also applies to foreign sellers delivering goods with commercial packaging (e.g. transport and secondary packaging) directly to French business customers. Micro-enterprises may be exempt if their suppliers are established in France.
Costs: 
The éco-organismes' first barèmes (tariff schedules) have been published; contributions depend on material and tonnage. The 2027 tariffs are expected by September 2026.
Deadlines: 
Operational start of the filière on 1 Jan 2027 (postponed from 1 Jul 2026; ministry confirmation of 28 Jul 2026). The éco-organismes have held their approvals since June 2026.

Typical steps

  1. Determine which of your packaging ends up with commercial end users in France (transport, secondary and B2B sales packaging).
  2. Choose the responsible éco-organisme and prepare to join: Citeo Pro, Léko Pro or Twiice.
  3. Monitor the 2027 tariffs (publication announced by September 2026) and factor them into your costing.
  4. Structure volume and material data for the first declaration from 1 Jan 2027.
  5. Without an establishment in France: extend the Mandataire mandate to cover the new filière.

Providers for this obligation

Citeo ProLéko ProTwiice

Sources: Ministère de la Transition écologique – Filière Gewerbeverpackungen (EPRO) (accessed 2026-09-01) · ABV Group – Verschiebung des Filière-Starts auf 01.01.2027 (accessed 2026-09-01) · Usine Nouvelle – Zulassung von Citeo Pro, Léko Pro und Twiice (Juni 2026) (accessed 2026-09-01)

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Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.