France has implemented comprehensive packaging legislation through the Loi AGEC (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Act, 2020) and the CITEO EPR scheme. France is planning to implement a deposit return scheme by 2025, making it one of the last major EU economies to introduce DRS.
CITEO EPR Scheme
CITEO is France's PRO for household packaging and graphic paper. All companies placing packaging on the French market must contract with CITEO (or another approved PRO) and pay EPR fees. CITEO's fee structure is eco-modulated based on packaging material, weight, and recyclability. France's EPR system is one of the most developed in the EU, with high collection and recycling rates for paper, glass, and metals.
Loi AGEC Requirements
The Loi AGEC introduced several packaging requirements that go beyond the PPWD: mandatory recycled content in plastic packaging (10% from 2022, 20% from 2025); prohibition of single-use plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables below 1.5 kg; mandatory reusable packaging options in food service; and prohibition of plastic packaging for public sector catering.
Planned DRS
France has been debating DRS implementation since 2019. The government has committed to implementing DRS for plastic bottles and metal cans, with a target launch date of 2025. The DRS will be operated by a new entity and will cover bottles up to 3L and cans up to 1L.