Amazon France EPR requirements: what you need to know
Amazon.fr requires all third-party sellers to provide valid EPR registration numbers (called IDU in France) for each product category they sell in. This requirement is mandated by French law (article L541-10-9 of the Environmental Code), which makes marketplaces co-responsible for the EPR compliance of their sellers.
If you sell on Amazon.fr without valid IDUs, Amazon will send notification emails warning you to provide your EPR numbers within a set deadline (usually 30 days). If you fail to comply, your product listings will be deactivated and your account may be suspended. This applies to all sellers regardless of location: French, EU, and non-EU sellers are all subject to the same requirements.
Which IDU numbers does Amazon require
Amazon.fr checks IDUs by product category. The main categories and their corresponding EPR streams are as follows.
For any product sold in packaging (virtually all products): Packaging IDU from Citeo or Léko. For electronics (phones, computers, appliances, gadgets, LED lights): WEEE IDU from Ecosystem or Ecologic. For products containing batteries (phones, toys, tools, speakers): Battery IDU from Corepile or Screlec. For clothing, shoes and household linen: Textile IDU from Refashion. For furniture and home furnishings: Furniture IDU from Ecomaison or Valdelia. For toys: Toy IDU from Ecojouets.
You need a separate IDU for each category that applies to your products. Selling a Bluetooth speaker requires three IDUs: packaging, WEEE, and batteries. Missing even one IDU for a category you sell in can trigger a suspension notice.
How to enter your IDUs in Amazon Seller Central
Navigate to Settings then Account Info then EPR Compliance Information. For each EPR category, enter your eco-organisation name, your membership number, and your IDU (format: FR followed by numbers). Amazon verifies IDUs against the ADEME SYDEREP database. Verification takes 2 to 5 business days. If your IDU is rejected, check the format and contact your eco-organisation to confirm the data has been transmitted to ADEME.
The registration process for non-French sellers
If you are not established in France, you need an authorised representative (mandataire REP) to register on your behalf. The mandataire signs the eco-organisation contracts in your name, obtains your IDUs, and files annual declarations. You cannot register directly with French eco-organisations without a French-based representative.
The process works as follows. Day 1: contact a mandataire REP (we respond within 24 hours). Day 1 to 2: the mandataire identifies your EPR categories and initiates registrations. Day 2: proof of registration is sent to Amazon as part of your Plan of Action. Days 3 to 14: IDUs are issued by ADEME through the eco-organisations. Day 14 to 15: IDUs are entered in Seller Central. Days 15 to 21: Amazon verifies and reactivates your listings.
Total time from first contact to reactivation: approximately 3 weeks. During this period, your other sales channels (own website, other marketplaces) remain active.
What to do if your Amazon account is already suspended
If your listings have already been deactivated, act immediately. Contact a mandataire REP and provide your product catalogue and sales data. The mandataire will identify your EPR categories and start the registration process the same day. Within 48 hours, you will have proof of registration to include in your Amazon Plan of Action.
Your Plan of Action should include three elements. Root cause: you were not aware of French EPR requirements or had not yet completed registration. Corrective action: you have appointed a mandataire REP and registration is in progress, with proof of eco-organisation membership attached. Preventive measures: you have set up ongoing EPR management with your mandataire to ensure continued compliance, including annual declarations and IDU renewal.
Amazon typically processes reinstatement requests within 3 to 7 business days after receiving a valid Plan of Action with proof of registration.
The cost of EPR compliance for Amazon sellers
For a seller shipping 200 to 1,000 orders per month to France, the annual cost breaks down as follows. Mandataire fees: 500 to 2,000 euros per year depending on the number of categories. Packaging eco-contributions (Citeo): 80 euros flat rate for small volumes, or 200 to 1,000 euros for detailed declaration. Product eco-contributions (WEEE, batteries, textiles): variable, typically 100 to 2,000 euros per year depending on volumes and categories.
Total annual cost: 880 to 5,000 euros. Compare this to the revenue loss from a 3-week Amazon suspension: for a seller doing 10,000 euros per month, that is 7,500 euros of lost sales plus damaged search rankings and Buy Box position.
Why choose AuditREP for your Amazon EPR compliance
We specialise exclusively in French EPR compliance. We cover all 19 EPR categories, not just packaging. We optimise your eco-contributions to minimise costs. We handle the entire process from category identification to IDU entry in Seller Central. We communicate in English and French. We respond within 24 hours, including for urgent suspension cases.
Contact us for a free assessment or book a 15 minute call to discuss your situation.
Common mistakes that delay registration
Providing an incorrect VAT number (verify yours on the European Commission VIES portal before applying). Registering for only one EPR category when you sell products in multiple categories. Not responding to the eco-organisation validation email. Entering the packaging IDU in the WEEE field in Seller Central. Using an expired IDU from a previous year without renewing.
Ongoing obligations after registration
Getting your IDUs is not the end of the story. You must file annual declarations (January to March) reporting your French sales volumes by category. You must pay eco-contributions on time to prevent IDU expiration. You must update your IDUs if you change eco-organisations. You must check for new EPR categories if you add new product lines. Your mandataire handles all of this as part of the ongoing service.
Contact AuditREP for a free assessment of your Amazon EPR obligations or book a 15 minute call with our team.
The timeline for new product categories
France regularly adds new EPR categories. Toys, sporting goods, and DIY articles became mandatory in 2024. Professional packaging starts in July 2026. If you expand your Amazon product range into new categories, check whether new EPR registrations are required. Your mandataire should proactively verify this whenever you add products to your catalogue.
Multi-marketplace compliance in France
The same IDUs work across all French marketplaces. Register once with each eco-organisation, get your IDUs, and enter them in Amazon Seller Central, ManoMano, Cdiscount, Fnac Marketplace, and any other platform where you sell. Your mandataire handles the initial registration; you simply copy the same numbers into each platform.