France delays industrial and commercial packaging EPR until 2027

France has postponed the implementation of its EPR for packaging of goods used by businesses from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, citing a lack of appropriate conditions for “efficient deployment.” 

The Ministries of Ecological Transition, Spatial Planning, Transport, Urban Development, and Housing further state that the EPR was delayed as many businesses do not know if they are required to join one of the three state-approved producer responsibility organizations (PRO) — Citeo Pro, Leko Pro, and Twiice. 

“The operational implementation of the EPR scheme for business packaging on January 1, 2027, will create the necessary conditions for an efficient start,” says Mathieu Lefèvre, Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition.

This includes ensuring clarity over which businesses are obligated to join one of France’s PROs. 

The delay is also a result of the late publication of EPR rates from the three PROs, which prevented businesses from adapting fees into their business model. 

He adds: “This deadline will allow PROs to define their pricing schedules for 2027 as early as September, thus providing all the necessary visibility to the economic stakeholders involved.”

Moving ahead

Packaging EPR schemes are surging globally. The polluter-pays principle aims to make producers responsible for the waste they create. It’s prompting developments in monomaterials, refill, and reusable innovations. 

In 2023, the UK similarly deferred its packaging EPR waste-management fees by one year. More recently, the country’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) delayed the mandatory collection of plastic films and flexible packaging from households and businesses in England from March 2027 to April 1, 2030. 

In the EU, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation makes EPR mandatory for all member states.

Lefèvre says that he will be “vigilant” in ensuring that the new fee schedule aligns with financial forecasts of the PROs’ initial applications for accreditation.

“This period will also be used to finalize the technical work, particularly regarding traceability and the development of standards with the downstream sector,” he outlines. 

“The objective is clear: each operator concerned must have joined an eco-organization by the end of the year, for a fully operational EPR scheme by January 1, 2027.”

Earlier this year, Zero Waste France urged municipalities to use their regional powers to curb single-use plastic. The NGO told Packaging Insights that local authorities are well placed to accelerate progress through their proximity to residents, regulatory powers, and capacity to promote initiatives such as DRS.