TheEPR Scheme for sports and leisureEPR is already transforming the daily operations of manufacturers, importers, and online retailers of sports equipment. Set to take effect in 2022, it requires all distributors to fund the end-of-life management of the equipment they sell, from bicycles and racquets to trampolines.

In this article, we review the legal framework, the key stakeholders, and the specific requirements, and then we show how to turn this challenge into a tool for building your EPR compliance framework.

EPR for Sports and Leisure EPR (ASL): Does this apply to you?

Reading time: ~11 min

1. Understanding EPR for Sports and Leisure EPR

2. EPR for sporting EPR : Who is considered a producer?

3. What are the obligations for companies participating in the Scheme ?

4. TheEPR Scheme in an increasingly complex landscape

5. Mini FAQ on EPR for Sports and Leisure EPR

Understanding EPR for Sports and Leisure EPR

A summary of the legal framework

Established under the 2020 AGEC Act (Articles L 541-10-8 et seq. of the Environmental Code), the Scheme effect on January 1, 2022. Manufacturers who place sports and leisure goods on the French market must finance and organize the collection, reuse, repair, and recycling of these products.

The stated goal is to reuse 12,000 tons of materials by 2027, with a focus on improving traceability and eco-design. This Scheme to existing ones for packaging, WEEE, textiles, furniture, batteries, construction, etc., making compliance complex for online sellers and importers.

Which sports and leisure products are affected?

The scope covers almost all sports, leisure, and bicycle products: sports equipment (balls, rackets, skis, boards, fitness equipment, goalposts, etc.), recreational equipment (trampolines, ping-pong tables, outdoor games, play structures), bicycles and similar vehicles (bicycles, non-electric scooters, bicycle accessories), as well as accessories and consumables related to sports or leisure activities.

Technical apparel and athletic shoes, on the other hand, fall under the Scheme managed by the eco-organization Refashion. A single catalog may therefore include products covered by the ASL, WEEE, packaging, textile, or construction schemes, making it difficult to identify the applicable requirements.

EPR for sporting EPR : Who is considered a producer?

The definition of a producer is very broad: a producer is any company responsible for the initial placing on the market of a sports or recreational article in France.

• Manufacturers selling under their own brand

• Importers of products manufactured outside France

• Importers from another EU country

• Assemblers selling a finished product

• Private-label retailers

• Distance sellers based outside France

• Platforms, when their third-party sellers are not in compliance

Marketplaces are therefore at risk: if their sellers do not comply EPR , the marketplaces themselves may be considered producers. More details are available in the article: EPR Marketplaces and Their Third-Party Sellers.

What are the requirements for companies under the Scheme ?

Registration as a producer

The company must register with the national registry (Syderep), obtain a unique identifier for the Scheme , and join the accredited eco-organization Ecologic or implement an approved individual system. For sellers already registered with other eco-organizations, this new requirement adds to what is sometimes a long list of fees and deadlines.

Tax returns and eco-contributions

Each year, the quantities placed on the market are reported to Ecologic. Eco-contributions depend on the product category, its weight, and, in some cases, eco-design criteria. The fee schedule includes incentives and penalties. Failure to pay may result in fines of up to €30,000.

For a seller operating across multiple countries and industries, the administrative burden can quickly become overwhelming—a problem that the CompliancR platform CompliancR to solve.

Specific obligations of distributors and online sellers

As of January 1, 2023, the free take-back of used items is mandatory: a 1-for-1 take-back for retail spaces between 200 and 400 m² and for distance sales exceeding €100,000 in ASL revenue; a 1-for-0 take-back for retail spaces larger than 400 m². Retailers must arrange for this take-back at the time of delivery, inform customers, and direct the flow of items to authorized collection points.

TheEPR Scheme in an increasingly complex landscape

The growing number of EPR programs EPR be managed

Batteries, furniture, construction materials, fishing plastics, or new packaging: the scope of these requirements is constantly expanding. For a bicycle manufacturer or a company specializing in outdoor games, each product may fall under several categories at once. Without the right tools, manual tracking quickly becomes unmanageable.

We document these developments on our EPR blog.

How CompliancR EPR for Sports and Leisure EPR

As a certified representative, CompliancR the complexity:

Managing relationships with major French environmental organizations

Obtaining the unique identifiers required by marketplaces

Automatic analysis of catalogs to identify applicable supply chains

Application of the current rates to calculate eco-contributions

Preparation and filing of returns by the statutory deadlines

Mini FAQ on EPR Sports and Leisure EPR

I sell small sports accessories on an online marketplace. Does this really apply to me?

Yes. The Scheme limited to large equipment; many accessories are included. If you’re the first seller in France, you’re considered the producer—even if you’re selling through a marketplace. In the event of non-compliance, the platform may penalize you or be considered the producer itself and hold you liable.

I am a retailer with several brick-and-mortar stores. What steps should I take?

In addition to joining Ecologic and making the necessary declarations, you must arrange for the free pickup of used items based on your store’s size (1-for-1 or 1-for-0) and inform your customers of the practical details.

How can I tell if a product falls under the Scheme or another Scheme

Analyze the nature of the product, its primary use, its materials, and whether it contains any electrical components. For example: a pedal-powered bicycle falls under the ASL; its packaging falls under the Scheme , and certain textile accessories fall under the Scheme . The CompliancR algorithm CompliancR this classification to minimize errors and corrections.

Can I handle the EPR for sporting EPR on my own without using an agent?

Yes, but you will be responsible for registration, regulatory compliance, tracking tax rates, and filing all required reports for all your sales channels. For many e-commerce businesses, managing these tasks in-house quickly becomes too burdensome; this is why it makes sense to delegate the entire process to a third-party service provider.

TheEPR Scheme for Sports and LeisureEPR marks a major step forward in holding distributors accountable, while also adding a layer of complexity. Identifying producer status, mapping the products involved, organizing take-back, and calculating eco-contributions require a structured, multi-sector approach. By outsourcing this management, you ensure compliance and free up time for your core business. To learn more, check out all our blog posts dedicated to EPR discover our solutions.