In a long-awaited move that delivers legal clarity to the packaging sector, the French Parliament has officially withdrawn a national ban on non-recyclable styrenic packaging. The decision not only confirms alignment with European law under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) but also ensures that styrenic materials can continue to be used while industry-led recycling solutions are scaled up. This adjustment brings welcome stability for manufacturers and recyclers alike, as they work towards full recyclability by 2030 and beyond.
France Harmonises Packaging Law with European Regulation
The deletion of Article 23 from the 2021 Climate and Resilience Act removes a national-level restriction that had foreseen a ban on non-recyclable styrenic packaging from 1 January 2025. Its removal aligns France with EU Regulation 2025/40, which sets out recyclability requirements for all packaging, including styrenics, from 2030.
Recognising the risk of over-transposition, the French Government previously signalled its intent to revise the law in mid-2024, responding to parliamentary questions and publishing guidance to avoid overlaps with evolving EU rules. The “DDADUE” Act now formalises this alignment, offering the policy clarity needed to support industrial planning and long-term investments.
Implications for the Industry
The repeal brings significant regulatory relief for stakeholders across the packaging value chain. Styrenic packaging can now continue to be marketed under the same conditions as other plastics, giving producers time to innovate within the EU’s legally defined timelines.
More broadly, this decision reinforces the need for coherent legislation that supports the development of a high-performance recycling infrastructure across Member States — one that is climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and built for long-term environmental objectives.
ELIPSO’s Role and the CréaStyr Roadmap
Much credit goes to ELIPSO and its members, with the support of EUMEPS, whose continuous engagement at national level helped ensure that the French position reflected broader European legislative trends. Their work exemplifies the importance of coordinated advocacy that spans both national associations and EU representation.
As part of their CréaStyr roadmap, ELIPSO continues to drive practical innovation to achieve recyclability for styrenic packaging at scale by 2035. Tangible progress has already been made, including:
- Eco-designed XPS trays and EPS packaging that enable better sorting and separation;
- Expanded collection points at waste centres to improve recycling access;
- Pilot standards to support the separate collection of professional EPS packaging.
Strategic Coordination Delivers Results
Reflecting on the outcome, Lea Salihovic, EU Policy Manager at EUMEPS, commented:
“This result highlights what’s possible when national advocacy and EU-level policy engagement are aligned. It’s a strong example of how the styrenics sector, through clear evidence and joint efforts, can contribute to a more consistent, efficient regulatory framework — while continuing to innovate in line with circular economy goals.”
The alignment of French and EU law not only simplifies the regulatory landscape but also strengthens the industry’s ability to invest and innovate with confidence. With a shared goal of achieving circularity and reducing environmental impact, the styrenics sector now has a clearer pathway to contributing meaningfully to Europe’s Green Deal objectives.
The official removal of France’s proposed ban on styrenic packaging sends a strong signal of support for EU-wide coherence and climate-aligned innovation. With a stable regulatory base and clear targets in place, the industry is well-positioned to scale energy-saving, circular solutions that meet both environmental and economic goals.