France expands Extended Producer Responsibility to professional packaging in 2026

FRANCE – France has issued a new decree that extends extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules to professional packaging used in business environments, effective from early 2026.

Companies placing such packaging on the market will need to finance or organize its collection, reuse, and recycling. 

Approved eco-organizations will handle these operations for producers, adhering to stricter transparency and cost-efficiency standards.

The decree requires shared traceability systems to track packaging waste from collection through treatment and recovery. 

This ensures accurate monitoring of recycling targets. Producers face financial bonuses or penalties based on the recyclability and reusability of their packaging designs. 

The changes support France’s 3R strategy of reducing, reusing, and recycling, including a mandate to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 20%  before the end of 2025.

Waste management operators now must submit detailed reports on sorting results and treatment processes. 

Producers retain full responsibility for their waste even when using contractors.

The updates also incorporate recent EU rules on cross-border waste shipments to maintain consistent standards for international transfers.

In a related development, the European Union continues to drive demand for recycled plastics through its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. 

A recent report highlights that the regulation will require incorporation of 5.4 million metric tons of recycled polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate each year by 2030 across member states. 

This creates opportunities for suppliers while pushing manufacturers to certify materials and improve product designs for recycling.

France’s move places greater accountability on businesses for end-of-life packaging management. 

Companies operating in or exporting to the country must review materials and waste arrangements to meet the upcoming obligations alongside broader EU requirements.

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