EPR Professional Packaging 2026: New Sector

Last updated: 29 / 06 / 2026

As of July 1, 2026, companies that market packaging for professional use will have to comply with the new regulations Extended Producer Responsibility for professional packaging (EPR EPRO)This regulation, already applicable to other sectors such as construction or household packaging, gives producers, distributors and importers the responsibility of managing the end of life of the packaging they put on the market.

This new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging absorbs the previous EPR scheme for catering packaging and extends its scope to industrial and commercial packaging (EPR EIC). It covers nearly 17 million tonnes of professional packaging placed on the market each year in France.

ETERNITY Systems We'll break down this major regulatory development for you. : content of the decree, past and future deadlines, eco-organizations in the running and concrete obligations for your company.

Summary

EPR for professional packaging in summary

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging 2026 (EPRO) is the new extended producer responsibility scheme dedicated to packaging for professional use, established by the decree n ° 2025-1081 of November 17, 2025.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging is a regulatory mechanism that makes producers, distributors, and importers of packaging for professional use financially responsible. of the collection, sorting, recycling and reuse of the packaging they put on the market in France.
It replaces and expands the previous EPR scheme for catering packaging and makes concrete the EIC REP initially planned by the AGEC law for 2025.
It came into effect on January 1, 2026., but its operational start-up and the payment of the first eco-contributions will take place on July 1, 2026.
The quantified objectives relate to the reuse of transport packaging (40% in 2030, 70% in 2040) and grouping (10% in 2030, 25% in 2040).

What is Extended Producer Responsibility for professional packaging?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging, also known as EPR EPRO, is a regulatory system that obliges companies placing packaging for professional use on the market to finance the management of its end-of-life: collection, sorting, recycling and reuse. It applies the "polluter pays" principle: whoever puts a product on the market must finance what happens to it once it is used. In the context of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging, the word "producer" refers to manufacturers, distributors, and importers alike, including foreign ones.

In practical terms, companies pay an eco-contribution proportional to the packaging they place on the market to an eco-organization. a non-profit structure approved by the State. For example, a manufacturer who puts 10,000 wooden pallets and 50,000 plastic crates on the market per year declares these volumes to its eco-organization and pays a contribution calculated according to the weight, material and recyclability of each package.

Furthermore, the EPRO REP is a so-called "financial" sector, meaning that the eco-organization does not directly manage collection or recyclingbut redistributes the funds to waste managers and reuse operators.

This sector was long known as REP EIC before being extended by the decree of November 17, 2025, which merged industrial and commercial packaging with large-format catering packaging into a single sector: the EPRO REP

What is the status of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) timetable for professional packaging in 2026?

The deployment of the EPRO REP follows a progressive schedule throughout 2026. Several key milestones have already been reached, while operational deadlines are approaching in the coming weeks.

The milestones already achieved by 2026

1st January 2026 Decree No. 2025-1081 and the REP EPRO scheme have officially entered into force.
28th February 2026 : the deadline for submitting applications for accreditation was met by the three candidate eco-organizations (Citeo Pro, Léko Pro and Twiice).
First semester 2026 : for catering packaging producers already members of Citeo Pro, the usual declarations continued under the transitional regime.

The next steps

1st July 2026 : operational start of the sector. Companies will have to have joined an approved eco-organization (or validated their individual system) and will start paying their first eco-contributions, without retroactivity to the first half of the year.
January-February 2027 : first actual declaration by producers on their 2026 marketing.

This transitional period between January and July 2026 gives companies a few months to identify the appropriate eco-organization, structure their data collection and prepare their first contribution.

Who is affected by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging?

Any company that places packaging for professional use on the French market is concerned by the EPR for professional packaging, whether it is a manufacturer, importer or distributor of packaged products.

But until June 30, 2026, within the current scope limited to food service packaging, the following are considered producers:

Any company who packages or has their products packaged before placing them on the market in France.
Every importer whose products are sold in packaging within French territory.
Failing, the person responsible for the initial placing of these packaged products on the market.

From July 1, 2026, the decree of November 17, 2025 refers directly to paragraph 15 of theArticle 3 of Regulation 2025/40 to define the producer within the framework of EPR EPRO. The following are specifically concerned within the meaning of Regulation 2025/40:

Packaging manufacturers when they market them under their own name or brand.
Importers and distributors who place packaging on the market under their name or brand, or who modify packaging already on the market.
Economic operators which place transport packaging, point-of-sale service packaging or packaging from primary production on the market for the first time in a Member State.
Companies that receive goods from outside the European Union and unpack, repack or manage transport packaging: they become producers for packaging that remains on their site and becomes waste.

What changes are brought about by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging? professionals?

The main change brought about by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging is that, from July 1, 2026, all professional packaging falls under this EPR scheme. Decree No. 2025-1081 of November 17, 2025, officially established the EPR scheme for professional packaging and defined its legal framework.

This decree introduced three major changes compared to the previous EIC REP framework:

An expanded perimeter

The merging of two sectors into one
A compensation mechanism between sectors

A new financial responsibility for producers
Until now, the cost of managing professional packaging waste was borne mainly by the end holders (user companies) or by local authorities when this packaging ended up in the public collection service. From July 1, 2026, this cost will shift to producers, distributors and importers. who put these packages on the market.
This is the same mechanism as that applied to household packaging since 1992, or more recently to building construction products or materials (BCPM) since 2023.
The merging of two sectors into oneBefore the REP EPRO, two distinct systems coexisted:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for catering packaging, created in March 2024.
- The EIC REP (industrial and commercial packaging), initially planned by the AGEC law for January 1, 2025, but postponed due to a lack of implementing regulations.
Since January 1, 2026, these two areas have merged into one single sector: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging (EPRO). Food service packaging producers who are already members will automatically switch to this new framework on July 1, 2026.
3. A compensation mechanism with quantified reuse targets

The EPRO REP introduces a financial compensation system that did not exist before: the more a company develops the reuse of packaging And the more recyclable it is, the less eco-contribution it pays. This "bonus-malus" logic makes reuse a lever for directly optimizing the EPR cost for producers.

In practical terms, professional packaging (pallet, crate, drum, plastic film, container, etc.) is no longer just a logistical cost for the company. It becomes a controllable economic unit which combines three elements:

An eco-contribution to be paid to the eco-organization, calculated according to the weight, material and characteristics of the packaging placed on the market.
A reuse and recycling target to be achieved, set by packaging type and by material for the 2030 and 2040 time horizons.
A price signal which rewards virtuous packaging (reusable, recyclable, incorporating recycled material) and penalizes non-recyclable single-use packaging.

The difference between the eco-contribution of a non-recyclable single-use package and that of a high-performance reusable package can become significant over large volumes.

It is precisely to address this logic that the solutions of industrial washing and circular logistics They become strategic. They transform single-use packaging into reusable packaging integrated into a loop.

What are the bonuses and penalties applied in the REP EPRO?

There are 3 types of bonuses to reduce the eco-contribution of the EPRO REPThis means that the amount of the eco-contribution paid by each company can be adjusted upwards or downwards depending on the environmental characteristics of its packaging. A single package can be subject to multiple bonuses or penalties.

Bonus for source deduction

A company that reduces the weight of its packaging by at least 1% compared to the previous year benefits from bonus proportional to the reduction rateA 5% reduction in weight results in a 5% reduction in the eco-contribution on the packaging concerned.

Three conditions apply:

The reduction must be done within the same material family.
Ensure the recyclability of the packaging
Do not cause weight transfer to other packaging categories.

Re-employment bonus

New packaging designed for reuse, as defined in Article 543-43 of the Environmental Code, benefits from 5% reduction in the total eco-contributionTo benefit from this, the company must demonstrate an operational industrial reuse solution: proof of purchase, consignment notes, costs of industrial washing.

For example, an industrialist who replaces his single-use cardboard boxes with reusable and washable plastic containers can combine the reuse bonus with a potential source reduction bonus.

Bonus for incorporating recycled plastic material

Plastic packaging containing post-consumer recycled material benefits from premium calculated in €/kg of incorporated materialprovided that the incorporation rate exceeds 25% for PET bottles and 10% for other packaging. The material must be post-consumer and incorporated in a closed loop.

The amounts vary depending on the type of plastic resin:

PET : from €0,05/kg to €0,40/kg
LDPE : from €0,40/kg to €0,55/kg
HDPE, PP, PS (including EPS) : 0,45 €/kg

The company must provide proof of traceability of the recycled material, as well as a health assessment document for food packaging.

Penalties

A differentiated eco-contribution applies to each package depending on the recycling channel available for its material. Non-recyclable packaging, or packaging with an inefficient recycling system, bears a higher contribution than easily recyclable packaging.

In practical terms, non-recyclable plastic packaging can cost several times more in eco-contributions than equivalent packaging made of cardboard or glass, both of which have well-established recycling systems. This price signal directly encourages producers to make informed choices about materials right from the design stage.

The current pricing structure applies only to the food service packaging sector until June 30, 2026. From July 1, 2026, approved eco-organizations will publish a new scale adapted to the EPRO scopeThis will require strengthening incentives for reuse. To find out precisely what bonuses and penalties apply to your packaging, it is recommended that you contact your future eco-organization directly.

In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

What will be the obligations of companies from July 1, 2026?

Companies affected by the EPR for professional packaging will have to choose between joining an approved eco-organization or setting up an individual system validated by the public authorities. In both cases, they will have to comply with several reporting and financial obligations from July 1, 2026:

Identify your status as a marketer : any company that produces, imports or distributes packaging intended for professional use in France will be considered a "producer" within the meaning of the EPR, including foreign exporters selling in France.
Join an approved eco-organization or have an individual system validated by the administration. Joining an eco-organization remains the simplest solution for the majority of businesses.
Pay an eco-contribution the amount of which will depend on the nature of the packaging (materials, weight, eco-design characteristics). The scale will include bonuses and penalties based on reusability, recyclability and the incorporation of recycled material.
Collect and report data The eco-organization requests the following information: packaging type, composition, weight, and usage category. The first actual declaration will be made in January-February 2027 for the year 2026.
Share your unique identifier (IDU) issued by ADEME to its clients and partners, in accordance with traceability requirements.

Failure to comply with these obligations will expose the company to administrative sanctions, including a ban on placing its packaged products on the market. The coming weeks, until July 1, 2026, therefore represent a strategic window to finalize compliance.

Which types of packaging are covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging?

The EPRO EPR covers packaging for products placed on the market for professionals in France, excluding those already linked to another EPR scheme (this is the case for building and public works (BTP) packaging, containers of hazardous chemicals and mineral oil packaging).

The decree classifies these packages into four distinct categories, which follow the logic of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging while adding specific packaging defined by volumetric thresholds.

Retail packaging

These are packages that constitute a sales unit with the product they contain. Specifically, this includes drums, cans, crates, pots, flasks, bottles or even cardboard bags.

Packaging used for online sales to individuals is excluded, since it falls under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for household packaging.

Group packaging

These are the packages that group together a number of items sold together. This includes items such as crates, cardboard boxes, and strapping ties.

Excluded from this category are packaging used to group products that are already packaged and sold in pack form, as these fall under a different regulatory framework.

Transport packaging

This category includes packaging designed to facilitate the handling and transport of products pallets, films, cushioning, etc. They correspond to the classic definition of tertiary logistics packaging.

Excluded are packaging used exclusively in professional circuits and resold only between professionals, under specific conditions defined by the decree.

Special packaging

This category is specific to the REP EPRO and is defined by precise volumetric thresholds :

Large bulk containers (GRV).
Crates with a capacity greater than 15 liters.
Plastic crates with a capacity greater than 15 liters.
Drums, jerrycans, cans and buckets with a capacity greater than 29 liters.
Point-of-sale advertising having a packaging function.
Pallets and palletizing elements.

The materials concerned

The packaging covered can be made from any type of packaging material: wood, cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, glass, or fabric. The decree does not exclude any material, meaning that all companies producing professional packaging are affected, regardless of their sector of activity.

The flows covered by the sector

The EPRO Extended Producer Responsibility scheme covers three distinct types of waste streams, which significantly expands the scope of responsible companies:

Packaging for products sold to professionals : this is the most classic case of B2B.
Packaging that is moved between two sites of the same company : internal logistics flows are also integrated into the supply chain.
Packaging of products imported into France : foreign importers are considered "producers" within the meaning of the EPR as soon as they place their products on the French market.

What are the quantified objectives of the EPRO professional packaging EPR sector?

The specifications set by the decree of December 2, 2025 impose precise objectives for reuse, recycling and eco-design on eco-organizations and indirectly on companies. These objectives will be implemented gradually between 2030 and 2040.

Reuse objectives

The decree sets ambitious thresholds by typology reusable packaging :

Transport packaging : 40% reuse in 2030, then 70% in 2040.
Group packaging : 10% reuse in 2030, then 25% in 2040.
Packaging used for transporting products between sites of the same operator or between partner sites : 100% reuse.

These objectives do not apply to cardboard packaging, due to its already high recyclability.

Recycling goals

Regarding recycling, the decree also sets thresholds for each material to be reached by 2030:

85% for cardboard packaging (objective already exceeded with 88% currently achieved).
30% for wooden packaging (target already achieved with 34%).
55% for plastic packaging, compared to only 26% today. This gap represents the main challenge for the sector, as plastic accounts for 7,9 million tonnes of the 17 million tonnes of professional packaging placed on the market each year.

Allocation of contributions

Eco-organizations will also have to dedicate:

At least 5% of the amount of eco-contributions to the development of reuse.
At least 2% to research and development funding in the field of eco-design.

Furthermore, an exemption from contributions is provided, under certain conditions, for reused packaging. This measure constitutes a direct incentive to develop circular loops from the outset of the sector's operational launch.

Who are the eco-organizations in the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) sector for professional packaging?

Three eco-organizations are candidates for accreditation to manage the new EPR professional packaging sector from July 1, 2026. These are Citeo Pro, Léko Pro and Twiice. These three actors submitted their application for approval on February 28, 2026, and their file was examined during the inter-sector commission on May 7, 2026 with a view to validation by the State before the operational start of the sector.

Whereas other EPR schemes operate with a single historical eco-organization, the professional packaging sector could be organized around these three actors :

Citeo Pro: Citeo Pro is the subsidiary of Citeo, already approved for the EPR of household packaging and that of catering packaging since March 2024. Citeo Pro is therefore naturally extending its accreditation to the new EPRO scope, drawing on its B2C and B2B experience.

Léko Pro: Léko Pro is a subsidiary of Léko, an eco-organization also present on the EPR of household packaging and paper. Léko Pro is betting on a logic of one-stop shop between the household, catering and professional sectors. Its objective: to allow producers with mixed packaging (household and professional) to centralize their memberships, declarations and monitoring with a single contact person.

Twiice: Unlike the other two candidates, Twiice does not come from the household packaging sector. To cover certain specific types of packaging, Twiice has partnered with Valobat, an approved eco-organization in the building sector.

The large number of eco-organizations made it necessary to create a coordinating body, OCAEPRO., which will be officially approved in the months following the operational start of the sector on July 1, 2026.

Its role will be to prevent the coexistence of three eco-organizations from generating a multitude of rules, reporting formats, or requirements to the detriment of companies subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Specifically, OCAEPRO will work on harmonizing reuse standards, traceability practices, recyclability criteria, and the bonus-malus system applicable to packaging placed on the market.

Pending its official approval, the three candidates for approval have been meeting since January 2026 in an informal body foreshadowing OCAEPRO, under the aegis of an independent third party, in connection with the ministry and ADEME.

ETERNITY Systems : an operational partner to meet the requirements of the EPRO REP

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for professional packaging represents a strategic opportunity for companies wishing to structure their approach tocircular economy. By anticipating reuse targets before the operational start of July 1, 2026, companies reduce their future eco-contribution and strengthen their regulatory compliance.

For more than 30 years, ETERNITY Systems supports companies in the agri-food, logistics, retail, and catering sectors in implementing their reusable packaging supply chains. With more than 7 billion reusable packages processed Since our creation, we have mastered the entire industrial cycle of reuse.

Our offer covers all the needs associated with EPRO REP:

Industrial washing Plastic crates, food-grade containers, buckets, glass bottles, gastronorm containers, cups and pallets, with protocols QHSE tailored to each sector.
Dedicated circular logistics : collection of used packaging, sorting, transport and forwarding to your sites.
Complete traceability of flows : each batch is tracked to ensure compliance with the EPRO EPR reporting requirements and to allow monitoring of the number of rotations.
Support for eco-design reusable containers, in line with the objectives of the European PPWR regulation.

With just a few weeks to go before the operational launch on July 1, 2026, anticipation has become a key competitive advantage. By relying on ETERNITY SystemsYou can transform the regulatory constraints of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into a lever for economic and environmental performance. Contact our teams now to structure your industrial reuse strategy.

About the Author

Anthony ADAM

Communications and Marketing Manager at ETERNITY Systems, Anthony designs strategies and content to promote more sustainable consumption. He is a committed agent of change who combines creativity, rigor, and action to strengthen the visibility and impact of projects related to reuse and the circular economy.