Frequently asked questions
FAQ France – Everything you need to know about EPR regulations in Europe.
France
In many countries, producers of products subject to EPR requirements will be prosecuted with fines, if they are not able to prove their EPR compliance. In many countries, Electronic Marketplaces are legally obliged to confirm that their sellers are EPR compliant in the country they sell. If sellers can not prove their EPR compliance to the respective Marketplaces, they can be suspended from selling their non-compliant listings under EPR product categories. These regulations vary from country to country and can possibly be dealt with differently by each Marketplace. To determine the specific consequences of your situation, we recommend contacting the respective PRO in the country you are selling your product in.
The legal basis for EPR regulations in France is the Code de l’environnement and the AGEC law.
Companies subject to EPR requirements in France have two options to fulfill their obligations. They can either build their own individual solution to cover the complete lifecycle of their products and packaging. Or they can delegate their responsibility as a producer to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). PROs in France are state-approved eco-organizations like, for example, Léko or Citeo.
To be EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) compliant in France, you need to register at a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to obtain your Unique Identification Number(s) (UINs). After the registration, the UINs will be automatically generated via ADEME (l’Agence de la transition écologique) and issued to the respective PRO. The PRO will transfer the new number to its registered members. You need this UIN(s) as proof of compliance. Once registered as a PRO, you must declare your sales (of products covered by the different EPR categories) to the PRO for the applicable reporting period and pay eco-contributions to your PRO. The PRO will then take responsibility for the collection and recycling of your product.
The Client shall provide and transmit each year, before 1st of March, a declaration of the Household Packaging and Graphic Paper placed on the French market during the previous year. The declaration can be done easily online via the customer platform.
