The role of public authorities in EPR schemes

The public authorities are involved at each stage, defining the regulatory framework, examining and issuing accreditation, and then ensuring that roll-out complies with the defined framework.

The role of public authorities in EPR schemes

The public authorities are involved at each stage, defining the regulatory framework, examining and issuing accreditation, and then ensuring that roll-out complies with the defined framework.

Schéma des interactions entre les Pouvoirs publics (Ministère et ADEME) et un Éco-organisme. Les Pouvoirs publics transmettent un cahier des charges et l'Éco-organisme fournit une déclaration.

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition

The Directorate General for Risk Prevention (DGPR) lays down the regulatory framework in collaboration with other ministries, and defines the actors’ responsibilities. It is involved in examining accreditation applications, and issues accreditation. It oversees implementation of EPR schemes and monitors the accredited PROs and individual compliance schemes, with support from ADEME. The DGPR may apply penalties on any actor that fails to meet its obligations.

The Ministry for the Economy and Finance

The Directorate General for Enterprise (DGE) helps to determine the regulatory framework. It is involved in examining accreditation applications alongside the DGPR, and also oversees the operations of the EPR schemes.

State-appointed observers

State-appointed observers (‘censeurs d’État’) undertake financial oversight of the accredited PROs and coordination bodies. Appointed by the General Economic and Financial Audit Department, they ensure that the financial management rules stipulated in the Environmental Code are applied correctly.

They may attend meetings of governance bodies and their associated committees, as well as PRO stakeholder committee meetings. Their role is to alert the administrative authority when necessary, and to submit to it a status report on the monitored organisation at least once a year.

ADEME and supervision of EPR schemes

The French state has tasked ADEME with monitoring the EPR schemes in accordance with the EU Directive on waste and the French Anti-Waste Act for a Circular Economy (‘AGEC Law’).

ADEME’s EPR Supervision Department (DSREP) helps the ministry draw up regulations and provides expert input during examinations of accreditation applications for PROs and individual compliance schemes.

ADEME also plays a key role in overseeing the regulatory work of PROs and individual schemes, and in collecting and analysing the data they submit. These data are used to assess and monitor the performance the EPR schemes.

It regularly publishes dashboards, reports and studies to make this information accessible.

Find out more about the DSREP’s role

The Inter-EPR Scheme Committee

The Inter-EPR Scheme Committee (CIFREP) is the EPR scheme consultation and regulation body, and its members are representatives of producers, local authorities, non-profit organisations, waste management operators, and the State. It issues opinions on regulations concerning EPR schemes, particularly those defining specifications for PROs, individual compliance schemes and coordination bodies. It also issues opinions on accreditation applications.
 

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