France’s EPR Regulations: What Producers Need to Know in 2025

France’s EPR Regulations: What Producers Need to Know in 2024

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy framework designed to shift environmental accountability for products across their full lifecycle—from production to disposal—back to the companies that make and sell them.

Under this approach, producers bear financial and logistical responsibility for the waste their products generate. As environmental regulations continue to expand across the European Union, France has emerged as a leader in implementing EPR requirements across a wide range of product categories.

In this guide, we’ll break down what EPR means, how it’s applied in France, and how your business can stay compliant.

 

What Is Extended Producer Responsibility?

EPR policies are designed to encourage more sustainable product development by assigning the costs of waste collection, recycling, and disposal to the companies that place those products on the market.

This means producers must now consider the environmental impact of their products well beyond the point of sale—covering everything from packaging to end-of-life processing. In France, compliance typically involves paying contribution fees based on the quantity and type of material introduced into the market.

 

Who Qualifies as a Producer in France?

In the context of French EPR rules, a “producer” is any business placing regulated products on the French market—this includes:

· Domestic manufacturers

· Importers

· E-commerce sellers shipping goods into France

· Resellers and distributors. Even if your business is not located in France or the EU, you are still required to register for EPR if you sell to French consumers.

 

EPR Product Categories in France

France enforces a broad set of EPR categories. The most common ones relevant to e-commerce and product-based businesses include:

1. Packaging

Applies to primary packaging (the product container), secondary packaging (protection during shipment), and tertiary packaging (bulk transport).As of January 2024, the Paper category has been merged with Packaging under Decree No. 2023-305.

If you're running an online store that ships physical products to French buyers, it's almost certain you fall under this category.

2. WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)

Includes products such as:

· Laptops and desktop computers

· Mobile phones

· Kitchen appliances

· TVs and monitors

3. Batteries

This category is separate from WEEE. Products with embedded or removable batteries must be registered under both WEEE and Batteries if applicable.

Additional EPR Categories in France Include:

· Furniture

· Sports and leisure equipment

· Toys

· Textiles (clothing and shoes)

· Tyres

· Chemical substances (e.g. cleaning products, paints)

French EPR Registration Requirements

If your products fall into any of the above categories, you must register for each applicable EPR stream before you can legally sell in France.

You’ll also need to:

· Work with a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to manage waste reporting and compliance

· Possibly appoint a local Authorized Representative if your business is not based in France

Ongoing EPR Obligations in France

Once registered, producers are required to:

· Submit regular EPR declarations (usually annually, though some categories may require more frequent reporting)

· Pay contribution fees based on the quantity and type of material sold into the market

· In some cases (e.g. Packaging), pay a minimum annual contribution fee even if your declared volume is low

This fee structure ensures that producers carry the financial burden of post-consumer waste, motivating better design and sustainable choices.

EPR and Online Marketplaces

Under French law, marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and others are legally required to verify EPR compliance from all sellers.

This means:

· You must submit valid EPR registration numbers for relevant product listings

· Non-compliant listings may be removed, or sellers may incur additional platform fees

· EPR status checks are already part of the onboarding and product listing processes for major e-commerce platforms

EPR Compliance Made Easy with TBA Ecofuture

Navigating the complexities of EPR registration and compliance can be overwhelming, especially when selling across borders. At TBA Ecofuture, we provide end-to-end EPR compliance solutions for France and many other EU countries.

Our services include:

· EPR category assessment

· Registration with French PROs

· Appointing authorized representatives

· Ongoing reporting and contribution management

Whether you're an established retailer or a growing e-commerce seller, TBA Ecofuture ensures your business is EPR-compliant and ready to trade legally and sustainably across Europe. Did you know the UK has also implemented EPR regulations? If you're selling in the UK, our team can help ensure you're covered there as well.

Contact us to get your free consultation.