Toys: reuse and recycling to give them a second life

Since April 2022, the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has applied to the toys, outdoor games and other board games sector. Ecomaison has been approved by the French government to organize the collection, sorting, reuse and recycling of these products. We help producers, distributors and retailers to meet their obligations. Ecomaison deciphers the regulations for you. An overview of our solutions and support services to simplify your compliance.

The 2020 AGEC (Anti-Gaspillage pour une Economie Circulaire) law created new recycling channels - known as Extended Producer Responsibility - including one for toys and games: the Jouets EPR. Coming into force in April 2022, the latter is financed by the eco-tax applied to new toys placed on the French market by manufacturers, distributors, importers and marketplaces.

Who's concerned?

Any natural or legal person who, on a professional basis, either manufactures in France, or imports, or assembles or introduces for the first time, on the national market, toys intended to be sold or provided free of charge to the end user by any sales technique whatsoever, or to be used directly on national territory, is considered to be a producer and/or marketer of toys.

What products and tools are involved?

Toys, as defined in article 2 of decree no. 2010-166 of February 22, 2010 on toy safety, which refers in particular to "products designed to be used, exclusively or otherwise, for play purposes by children under the age of fourteen, or intended for this purpose", as well as models, puzzles and board games.

In practice, these include :

• Outdoor games,
• Indoor games (dolls, plush, construction, action games, etc.)
• Board games and puzzles (under 500 pieces)
• Toy gifts (defined as a toy distributed free of charge to the consumer as part of the sale of another product, such as a children's meal or a magazine).

Battery-operated, electric or electronic toys, writing and drawing utensils, sports and leisure articles, and animal toys are not covered by this sector.

What are your regulatory obligations?

• Provide or contribute to the prevention and management of the waste they generate.
• Adopt an eco-design approach.
• To help extend the life of these products by ensuring that all the professional and private repairers concerned have the resources they need for efficient maintenance.
• Support reuse and repair networks, such as those run by social economy structures or those promoting integration through employment.
• Contribute to development aid projects for the collection and treatment of their waste, and develop the recycling of product waste(art. L. 541-10.-I of the French Environment Code).

Displaying the TRIMAN sorting information: an obligation to facilitate sorting

All marketers subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for toys and games destined for households are required to affix sorting instructions to their products. These instructions include information on how to sort or dispose of used products. The instructions must be affixed as close as possible to the product: on the product, on its packaging or in the documents supplied with the product.

TRIMAN signage is still possible on a website, but does not replace the integration of information on one of the three elements mentioned above.

Taking back used products: a complementary service for your customers

The French anti-waste law for a circular economy (Loi Anti-Gaspillage pour une Economie Circulaire - AGEC) requires you to take back used products from your customers free of charge. Ecomaison offers simple, effective solutions for your sales outlets and delivery personnel.

Your documents for regulatory compliance

Your useful document to inform your partners and customers

Your useful links