Understanding EPR

Do you manufacture, import or sell clothing, household linen or footwear in France?

Then you need to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Clothing, Household linen and Footwear sector. We'll explain everything you need to know, keeping it simple and factual.

What exactly is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

Do you need more information on your legal obligations

See our page dedicated to the AGEC Act

A legal requirement and an environmental lever.

On 1st January 2007, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) became a regulatory requirement under the AGEC Act. It is based on a simple principle: the polluter pays.

In practical terms, if you place new Clothing, Household Linen and Footwear on the French market for retail purposes, you are required to contribute to the prevention and end-of-life management of these products through eco-design, repair, collection, sorting, reuse, recycling, etc.

To find out more:

↗️Article de Loi L541-10

↗️Article de loi L541-9-5 (sanctions)

What if it was also an opportunity?

EPR allows you to take action for a more responsible fashion industry, demonstrate your engagement and contribute to a circular economy approach.

How to ensure compliance, in practical terms

Two options, one requirement: oversee the prevention and management of your products when they become waste.

Option 1: Organise your own system

You set up your own system to manage your end-of-life waste products, in compliance with the specifications set out by the ministries involved. This system must be approved by a joint order of the Ministries for the Ecological Transition and the Economy.

Option 2: Join an eco-organization

You hand over responsibility to an EPR eco-organization approved by the public authorities (in this case Refashion is the only eco-organization for the Clothing, Household linen and Footwear sector), and make a financial contribution to its waste prevention and management activities.

Not sure if this applies to you?

Find out more about the companies and products subject to EPR

Why become a member of Refashion?

To help you achieve compliance with the law, but also to move the whole fashion industry forward, from production to recycling.

By joining Refashion, you:

Hand over responsibility for EPR legal requirements while remaining in compliance with the law;
Become part of a meaningful collective project to address environmental challenges;
Contribute financially to the development of our fashion industry and its transition to a circular economy;
Make a commitment to our Refashion initiatives (eco-design, repair, collection, inclusion of raw recycled materials, etc.) and create value for the future.