REP FOR PROFESSIONAL PACKAGING: REQUIREMENTS, RECYCLING AND REUSE
With the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for commercial packaging, companies must adapt to a new regulatory framework that redefines their practices in terms of recycling, reuse and eco-design.
In this interview, Domitille Derennes, Customer Business Development Manager at Citeo Pro, explains the obligations to be anticipated this year, the concrete impacts on packaging choices and the opportunities offered by EPR to structure efficient supply chains and create sustainable value.
What specific EPR obligations must producers and distributors of professional packaging comply with this year?
It is important to remember that, unlike other sectors, companies did not wait for the arrival of EPR to start thinking about their commercial packaging sources or waste management. The government has now established a common framework with specific objectives in two main areas: recycling and reuse.
For recycling, targets are defined by material: wood and cardboard are already close to or even at the target level, while metals and plastics still have significant potential for improvement. For reuse, the targets vary according to the type of packaging, and some are particularly ambitious, notably for inter-site flows, which will have to reach 100% by 2027.
In this context, our priority as an eco-organization is to closely monitor what is happening in the region, develop effective and harmonized traceability tools, and have a reliable overview of flows. In concrete terms, we will continue to support companies that are already committed to accelerating their reuse and recycling efforts, and we will provide those that are just starting out with the keys and tools they need to quickly improve their performance.
How will EPR for professional packaging specifically influence choices regarding eco-design, reuse and repair of packaging?
EPR for professional packaging will change packaging choices by integrating end-of-life management into the design. By internalising waste management costs, it encourages companies to reduce the volume and complexity of materials, to favour packaging that is more easily recyclable or reusable, and to extend its lifespan.
It also promotes the development of reuse and repair solutions: packaging is no longer just a consumable, but a real circular asset to be managed over time.
How can EPR become a lever for competitiveness and value creation, beyond mere regulatory compliance?
Beyond compliance, EPR can become a lever for competitiveness by encouraging companies to optimise their packaging, reduce their material costs and secure their supplies through recycling and reuse. It promotes innovation, the emergence of new economic models and differentiation in markets that are increasingly sensitive to environmental criteria. Thus, when used properly, EPR transforms a regulatory constraint into sustainable value creation.
What initial actions do you recommend companies take to effectively anticipate the implementation of EPR for professional packaging this year?
It is essential that companies start now by identifying their professional packaging, precisely identifying what does and does not fall within the scope of EPR, and then quantifying it.
To support them, we have set up a tool, Cap Emballages Pro, which uses recommendations to identify the packaging concerned and map it.
It is also strongly recommended that you contact an eco-organisation such as Citeo Pro if only to keep abreast of regulatory developments, understand the challenges facing the industry and what is happening behind the scenes. The key is not to wait: you need to start addressing the issue internally and ask all your questions now.
While you wait to meet packaging experts at the ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS trade show from 24 to 26 November 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte, a webinar is planned for January on the theme of ‘An EPR for professional packaging more than 30 years after that for household packaging’.
More information to come.