Guide: How to build an EPR product code for packaging in France
To comply with French EPR reporting requirements for packaging, you must generate a structured product code that accurately identifies the packaging type you place on the market. This code is built by combining elements from predefined categories and subcategories.
EPR code structure:
category + subcategory1 + subcategory2 + subcategory3 + subcategory4 + subcategory5
1. Select the reporting country
Example: FRA (France) — used in your report template, not in the code itself.
2. Choose category
Packaging → Code: P
3. Select subcategory1 — type of distribution sector
Defines where the packaging is used.
See table: subcategory1 section
| Household | H |
| Primary industrial commercial | I |
| Secondary industrial commercial | K |
| Tertiary industrial commercial | L |
| Primary cafe hotel restaurant | M |
| Secondary cafe hotel restaurant | N |
| Tertiary cafe hotel restaurant | O |
4. Select subcategory2 — reusability type
Describes the packaging reuse stage.
See: subcategory2 section
| Single-use | 001 |
| Reusable packaging put on the market for the first time | 002 |
| Reused packaging put on the market | 003 |
5. Select subcategory3 — packaging system type
See: subcategory3 section
| SUs with single-use packaging | 01 |
| CSUs with reused packaging | 02 |
| CSUs with reused packaging (after using ADEME) | 03 |
| CSUs with new reusable packaging | 04 |
| CSUs with new reusable packaging (after using the ADEME) | 05 |
| Reusable | 06 |
6. Select subcategory4 — material type
Choose the packaging material
See: subcategory4 section
| Package units | 01 |
| Steel | 02 |
| Aluminium | 03 |
| Paper-cardboard | 04 |
| Glass | 05 |
| Plastic bottles | 06 |
| Rigid plastic | 07 |
| Flexible packaging | 08 |
| Plastics: PVC | 09 |
| Other materials | 10 |
7. Select subcategory 5 (optional)
This refers to specific forms or uses of packaging (e.g. beverage cartons, trays, etc.)
If subcategory 5 does not apply, use 00
| Paper-cardboard excl. beverage carton | 01 |
| Beverage carton | 02 |
| Bottles and vials in clear PET | 03 |
| Bottles and vials in dark/opaque/coloured PE and PP | 04 |
| Bottles and vials in dark/opaque/coloured PET | 05 |
| Other non-PVC bottles (PLA, complex) | 06 |
| Rigid packaging in PE and PP | 07 |
| Rigid packaging in PET | 08 |
| Rigid packaging in PS | 09 |
| Other non-PVC rigid packaging (PLA, complex) | 10 |
| Flexible packaging in PP | 11 |
| Flexible packaging in PE | 12 |
| Other non-PVC flexible packaging (PET, PLA, complex) | 13 |
| Packaging containing PVC (flexible and rigid including bottles) | 14 |
| Raw wood, cork | 15 |
| Textiles, Non raw wood | 16 |
| Stoneware, porcelain, ceramics | 17 |
| Number of package units ≥ 0,1g | 18 |
| Number of ultra-light package units < 0,1g | 19 |
Final assembly example
Let’s say:
- Category: Packaging → P
- Subcategory1: Household → H
- Subcategory2: Single-use → 001
- Subcategory3: CSU single-use → 01
- Subcategory4: Glass → 04
- Subcategory5: Beverage carton → 02
Final code: PH001010402