France is set to expand its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework with the introduction of a new scheme dedicated to industrial and commercial packaging. Known as EIC – Emballages Industriels et Commerciaux, the system is expected to come into force in 2026, marking a significant regulatory shift for the B2B packaging sector.
Until now, French EPR obligations have mainly focused on household packaging. The upcoming EIC scheme will extend producer responsibility to packaging used in industrial, logistics and commercial activities, including transport and distribution. This broader scope reflects France’s ambition to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, in line with EU sustainability policies.
What the EIC scheme will cover
The new EPR system will apply to a wide range of B2B packaging formats, such as:
- pallets and crates
- plastic films and wraps
- big bags, drums and intermediate bulk containers
- transport and secondary packaging used in supply chains
Under the EIC framework, companies placing these packaging types on the French market will be required to finance and/or organise their end-of-life management, including collection, reuse and recycling.
Implications for companies operating in the French market
The introduction of the EIC scheme will have direct consequences not only for French companies, but also for foreign manufacturers, exporters and brand owners supplying goods to France.
Businesses operating across borders will need to:
- assess whether their packaging falls within the EIC scope;
- identify their role and responsibilities as “producers” under French law;
- join an approved Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) or set up an individual compliance system;
- ensure proper reporting, traceability and documentation of packaging flows.
For companies unfamiliar with French EPR requirements, this may result in additional compliance costs, administrative complexity and operational adjustments, particularly for those using complex or multi-material packaging solutions.
A signal for the wider European packaging sector
France’s move is widely seen as a precursor to similar initiatives in other EU countries, especially as discussions around the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) continue at European level. The EIC scheme sends a clear message to the market: industrial and commercial packaging will no longer remain outside EPR obligations.
For packaging producers and users, the new framework reinforces the strategic importance of:
- eco-design and material efficiency;
- recyclability and reuse-ready packaging;
- alignment between regulatory compliance and sustainability strategy.
As 2026 approaches, companies active in the French market are advised to start preparing early, reviewing their packaging portfolios and anticipating the operational impact of the new EIC obligations.
