Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Professional Packaging: The French joinery sector welcomes its postponement and calls for a swift clarification of the implementation conditions

For several months the Actibaie Group, the SNFA, the UFME, the UMB - FFB and the UDTVP have been informing and supporting companies in the French joinery and flat glass processing sector in preparing for the EPR Professional Packaging (EPR EPRO).

Although their members share the environmental challenges of this future sector, the inaccuracies of the European regulatory framework (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – PPWR) and its complexity of implementation did not allow them to be ready for application in France by July 1, 2026.

Mobilized to defend a pragmatic implementation of this Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for agricultural products, professional organizations were far from satisfied and took individual actions from the outset, followed by joint actions from April 2026 onwards, to request a postponement from the public authorities. On Friday, June 26, Mathieu Lefèvre, Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, stated in a press interview published on the Ouest France website that "it will be implemented as required by European law, but later." The sector welcomes this statement and calls on the government to:

to announce as soon as possible the new effective date of the EPR EPRO, without retroactive application of eco-contributions,
Revise the application guide, drawing on input from professionals represented by trade organizations, to better meet the needs of the field. For example, suppliers of standard transport packaging should be designated as producers of that packaging, rather than the end users (carpenters, flat glass processors, and other manufacturers).
guarantee the publication of the final terms at least 3 months before the application of the REP EPRO to allow companies time to prepare its deployment.

According to Laurent Demasles, President of the UFME: “The current conditions for the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging are causing serious concern among all our members. While the timetable has been set for a long time and our sector has been alerting public authorities, the Directorate General for Risk Prevention (DGPR), and eco-organizations for several months, we are only now discovering, less than 15 days before the deadline, certain pricing schedules and the content of an interpretation guide for defining the producer. Under these circumstances, companies simply do not have the necessary time to adapt their information systems, identify the packaging concerned, collect the required data, and integrate these new costs into their offerings. They are exposing themselves to significant technical, organizational, and financial risks (declaration errors, double eco-contribution, or incorrect producer identification) at a time when our sector is in crisis and already has to deal with the overhaul of the EPR scheme for small and medium-sized packaging.”

According to Dominique Thomasson, President of the SNFA: “For manufacturers of aluminum facades and windows, this announcement comes at a very opportune time. Dialogue between the administration and intermediary bodies is always more constructive when it leads to concrete decisions, and we welcome the announcement of a timeframe. This is a positive signal for our companies, which are fully engaged in these issues but need time to organize themselves.”

According to Philippe Seas, President of the Actibaie Group: “The Actibaie Group welcomes the decision to postpone the implementation of this new regulation. At a time when difficulties are mounting for the construction sector, this is a strong signal from the public authorities to professionals in the door, gate, shutter, and blind industry. It was time to bring stability and visibility to our businesses. The message has been received, and we are delighted.”

According to Nelly Philipponnat, Vice-President of the UDTVP: “For the UDTVP, postponing the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for professional packaging is an essential first step to ensure that our members can reasonably apply this EPR scheme. To this end, consultations with authorities and eco-organizations must continue, and the UDTVP will once again be available to actively participate and help clarify any remaining key points. We are convinced that a simplified and unambiguous EPR scheme for professional packaging will also prevent the risks of double declarations or free riders.”