Do you put waste-generating products on the French market?

published on 17 March 2025 | reading time approx. 3 minutes

In this case, you are probably concerned by the obligations arising from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation.

Are you an EPR producer? »
EPR sectors »
What are the main obligations of companies subject to EPR? »
How can you reduce the amount of your contributions? »
Anticipate and turn these obligations into opportunities! »

Are you an EPR producer?

An EPR producer is a natural person or legal entity who develops, produces, handles, processes, sells, or imports waste-generating products or the components and materials used in their production.
Companies subject to EPR are not only those that produce the products covered by EPR. They may also be the initial producer, the importer or the distributor.

This general definition of producer is supplemented by specific definitions for each category of products covered by EPR. Depending on the sector your products are likely to belong, you should check the corresponding definition of producer.

EPR sectors

There are currently 25 EPR sectors applicable in France.
Of these, 17 are French, while the others are European.

If you put on the French market products belonging to EPR sectors, you are probably concerned by the EPR.

What are the main obligations of companies subject to EPR?

They must join an approved collective entity known as an “eco-organization” (“éco-organisme”) and pay it a financial compensation for the disposal of waste from products placed on the market. Instead of joining an eco-organization, companies can also set up an approved individual collection and treatment system.
They must register with the Ministry of the Environment, which issues them with a unique identifier (IDU). This identifier must be mentioned on their General Terms and Conditions (or, failing that, in any contractual document communicated to the purchaser) as well as on their website.
They must draw up a prevention plan to improve the eco-design of their products. This plan can be individual or shared by several producers, revisable every five years.
They must submit an annual declaration of the quantity of products placed on the market during the previous year, according to the deadlines determined by each eco-organization. In all cases, the eco-organizations must submit the declaration of companies by May 31 of each year.

Depending on the sector to which your products belong, additional obligations may apply (e.g. affixing sorting signs for example).

How can you reduce the amount of your contributions?

Financial compensations paid by producers can be reduced if they meet environmental performance criteria set by the eco-organizations, as provided for the specifications applicable to the EPR sector concerned.
Eco-modulations/bonus are agreed with the eco-organization when you sign up.
For the “Textile Products” sector, product durability or environmental label certification may be taken into account.
For the “Chemical Products” sector, the incorporation of raw materials or the use of renewable resources may be taken into account.
For the “DIY and garden products” sector, the incorporation of recycled plastic materials and the availability of spare parts may be taken into account.

Anticipate and turn these obligations into opportunities!

Join now the eco-organizations approved for the sectors that apply to you and obtain your unique identifier.
Make and submit your annual declarations to the eco-organizations, according to the deadlines applicable to the EPR sectors concerned.
Evaluate the amount of your financial compensations and check your eligibility for eco-modulations/bonus offered by the eco-organizations.