French Eco-Organizations Face Relaxed Sanctions in Amended DDADUE Bill

Recent amendments to the French loi DDADUE (law on the fight against waste and the circular economy) propose changes to the sanctions regime for eco-organizations that fail to meet their environmental objectives. The proposed changes, tabled in the Senate on February 16, 2026, aim to address concerns about the current system’s effectiveness and fairness.

Background: The DDADUE Law

The loi DDADUE, formally known as the law on the fight against waste and the circular economy, is a key piece of French legislation focused on promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. It places obligations on eco-organizations – entities responsible for managing the collection and recycling of specific waste streams – to achieve defined targets.

Key Changes Proposed in the Amendment

The amendment, announced by Minister for Ecological Transition Mathieu Lefèvre on February 13, 2026, introduces several modifications to article L541-9-6 of the Environmental Code. These include:

• Relaxed Deadlines: The amendment seeks to adjust the timelines for eco-organizations to meet their objectives.
• Increased Sanction Ceilings: The upper limits for financial penalties imposed on eco-organizations are proposed to be increased.
• Publication of Sanctions: The amendment allows for the public disclosure of sanctions levied against eco-organizations.
• Removal of “Commitments” Before Sanctions: The possibility for eco-organizations to offer “commitments” to improve their performance before a sanction is imposed will be removed.

Concerns with the Current System

The proposed changes stem from concerns that the existing sanctions regime has been inadequately applied and that penalties have not been severe enough to drive meaningful improvements. There are also concerns that the current system may be unfair in its application.

Legislative Process and Next Steps

The amendment was tabled in the Senate and its future remains subject to the legislative process. If adopted, these changes will significantly impact how eco-organizations are held accountable for meeting their environmental obligations in France.

Further details can be found in Waste Info n° 313.