EPR Packaging: Citeo issues an alert regarding 2 billion euros
Uncontrolled growth of EPR contributions
For several months, Jean Hornain, CEO of Citeo, has been publicly warning about the financial drift of the Packaging EPR. Interventions in the press, conferences, round tables... the message is clear: the economic model is on the verge of collapse.
The figures speak for themselves:
- €1.3 billion collected in 2024,
- €1.6 billion expected in 2025,
- And up to €2 billion in 2026, if nothing changes.
This annual increase of more than 20% is due to several combined factors: increasingly complex systems, extension of obligations, rising sorting, collection and processing costs, but also the increasing regulatory requirements (eco-modulation, transparency, recycling targets, etc.).
A structural tension on the EPR model
The EPR on a simple principle: "the polluter pays." However, its current application reveals a flaw: the imbalance between increasing regulatory objectives and the actual financing capabilities of marketers.
Citeo highlights in particular:
- The accumulation of costly measures (reuse funds, bonus/penalty systems, investments in sorting centers, etc.);
- An urgent need to revise the scales to avoid overtaxing well-designed packaging;
- A threat to economic sustainability in the medium term, especially for SMEs, VSEs or e-commerce players.
The hidden challenge: anticipating future adjustments
Beyond the warning signal, this situation should prompt companies to anticipate future rule changes:
- Potential revision of scales or modulation criteria;
- New environmental labeling or traceability requirements;
- Acceleration of the digital compliance of EPR declarations.
On June 12, 2025, the ReUse initiative—large-scale reuse—will be officially launched. This ambitious project (30 million shared packaging units, 100 stakeholders involved) will also add new burdens to the current structure. Hence the urgent need to rebalance the EPR model.
CompliancR: manage your EPR contributions and anticipate future increases
At CompliancR, we support marketers facing regulatory and financial inflation from EPR. Our AI solution helps you:
- Calculate your Scheme contributions Scheme by Scheme in real time;
- Simulate the impact of different adjustments or scales;
- Manage your data flows and justify your declarations to Producer Representative Organisations;
- Anticipate upcoming reforms by structuring your compliance around reliable data today.
EPR is evolving rapidly, and its cost is exploding. CompliancR gives you the means to stay in control — technically, financially and regulatory.