In France, new obligations for suppliers of goods in industrial and commercial packaging have been in place since 1 January 2026 as part of their extended producer responsibility (EPR). France is thus implementing the requirements of the EU Packaging Directive in the first half of 2026 and, in addition to household and service packaging, will in future also include commercial, collective, transport and industrial packaging in producer responsibility.

All companies that deliver packaged goods to France must register with an approved take-back system (expected by 1 July 2026) and report their packaging volumes. It can also be assumed that companies not based in France will need a local representative to implement the new obligations.

Packaging affected by the new EPR

This applies to sales packaging for commercial and professional consumers that meet certain size and volume requirements, as well as collection, returnable and transport packaging generated by commercial or industrial users.

Agricultural packaging and packaging waste are excluded, as are certain product packaging items that are already assigned to another EPR sector in France.

Obligations for companies not based in France

Companies not based in France are affected if they sell directly to commercial or industrial end users or to the processing industry. These companies are then responsible for the sales, collection and transport packaging placed on the market in France.

If distribution is carried out by a French dealer who is not an end consumer, the foreign company remains responsible for outer packaging, collection and transport packaging incurred by the French dealer.

In the case of sales via a French purchasing centre, however, it is envisaged that the latter will assume responsibility for the corresponding item packaging, re-packaging and transport packaging.

Source: Franco-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (in German)