Late 2025 was marked by the release of crucial regulatory documents, among which the Decree n° 2025-1081 from 17 November 2025, shaping the new EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) framework for professional (B2B) packaging in France.
These publications provide the legal foundation for the B2B packaging EPR system, which is now said to officially start operating from July 2026, after this date had been postponed several times.
Several Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) are expected to be officially approved for the scope of B2B packaging during the first half of 2026.
Which professional packaging is concerned?
As of a recent update, the primary factor determining categorisation is not the distribution channel, but the type of packaging. In France, four types of packaging are generally considered to be professional:
- Sales packaging for products sold to professional end-users
- Bulk/grouped packaging, i.e. packaging used to group together several sales units
- Transport packaging, i.e. packaging used to protect several sales units or groups during transport and handling
- Packaging for primary production (used for the storage or transport of unprocessed food)
This includes all materials (cardboard, wood, plastic, metals, glass, etc.).
Who is obliged to register?
The responsible party is the first entity placing the packaged product on the French market and selling it to the professional end user. If a non-French company sells to a French reseller, the reseller has the obligation to register as packaging producer.
Please note that these obligations may still change, depending on the amendments to the French law.
Do you need to register as producer of professional packaging?
We are awaiting the final details for the registration process from the French PROs in order to be able to start registrations on time, from July 2026, as projected. We will keep you informed, as soon as further updates are available.
Are you curious about the requirements for selling packaging in France? Our take-e-way advisory team will be happy to help you on +49 40/750687-0 or send us an email.
