2026 update, Corepile-Ecosystem merger. In summer 2025, Corepile (the historic portable-battery PRO) was absorbed by Ecosystem. New adhesions for portable batteries now route through Ecosystem's unified contract, alongside Ecosystem's WEEE business. Batribox, the rebranded Screlec scheme (approved 27 March 2025), remains the independent alternative. References to "Corepile" below describe the historic operator and remain useful for understanding contractual lineage; for new mandates as of 2026, the practical operator is Ecosystem.
Battery EPR is one of the simplest French EPR streams to scope but one of the most frequently missed by non-EU electronics sellers. Any battery placed on the French market triggers the obligation: loose units sold for retail (replacement batteries, coin cells), batteries inside devices (sealed or removable), and accumulators for electric mobility products.
This article covers the practical setup for non-EU producers.
Scope of battery EPR in France#
The French battery stream applies to:
- Portable batteries: AA, AAA, 9V, button cells, coin cells, single-use and rechargeable.
- Embedded batteries in devices: lithium cells in smartphones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth speakers, wireless headphones, hearing aids, electric toothbrushes.
- Larger lithium accumulators: portable power stations, e-bike batteries, e-scooter batteries (when sold separately or as device replacement).
- Industrial and automotive batteries: separate sub-stream with specific rules.
The portable battery sub-stream is the most common for non-EU consumer electronics producers.
Ecosystem vs Batribox#
Two eco-organisms operate the portable battery stream:
Ecosystem is now the dominant operator, having absorbed Corepile in the summer 2025 merger. Corepile, founded in 2003, was historically the largest portable-battery operator and worked with the broadest collector network across France; that customer base and scope now sit inside Ecosystem.
Batribox is the competitor: the Screlec scheme, rebranded in January 2025 and approved by arrêté of 27 March 2025. Smaller market share, similar scope, slightly lower tariffs.
Since the summer 2025 merger, new adhesions for portable batteries route through Ecosystem (which inherited the Corepile customer base); Batribox remains independent. For most non-EU producers the choice between Ecosystem or Batribox is not material. Pick whichever your representative recommends.
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Registration flow#
Standard non-EU producer flow:
- Authorized representative engaged (mandate signed electronically, same day).
- Battery scope assessed: loose units sold + units embedded in devices.
- Dossier filed with Ecosystem or Batribox.
- IDU issued, published to SYDEREP within 2-3 weeks.
- Annual declaration filed by 28 February for prior year battery tonnage.
Cost example#
Non-EU consumer electronics seller shipping €1M/year of small electronics with embedded batteries to France:
- Representative on Batteries + WEEE + Packaging: our fee is a fixed annual amount per EPR stream, from €190/year excl. VAT for streams under the eco-organism flat-fee regime, confirmed in a written quote within one business day. A one-time setup per stream and a refundable security deposit are stated in the quote.
- Ecosystem batteries membership: ~€100/year.
- Ecosystem WEEE membership: ~€200/year.
- Citeo packaging: ~€150/year.
- Eco-contribution on batteries (~50 kg embedded lithium): ~€100-€300/year (low; lithium per kg is small).
- WEEE + packaging eco-contributions: see /blog/weee-france-ecosystem-vs-ecologic.
Common operational issues#
Filing WEEE but not batteries. WEEE covers the device; batteries covers the cells inside. Two separate IDUs required. Marketplaces verify each independently.
Skipping coin cells. Producers selling devices with small CR2032 coin cells (watches, key fobs, calculators, fitness trackers) sometimes assume the coin cells are out of scope. They are not.
Declaring only loose batteries. If your catalog sells replacement batteries AND devices with embedded batteries, both volumes count. Declarations need to include both.
Mistaking battery chemistry. Eco-contribution rates differ by chemistry. Lithium pays more per kg than NiMH; lead-acid pays differently again. Accurate chemistry declarations capture correct rates.
FAQ#
Do I have to register batteries even if they are sealed inside a device I sell?#
Yes. The battery EPR obligation applies to any battery placed on the French market, including embedded batteries inside another device. A Bluetooth speaker with a non-removable lithium cell triggers separate batteries EPR alongside the WEEE registration for the device itself. Two filings, one representative.
Ecosystem or Batribox, which one do I choose?#
Since the summer 2025 merger that absorbed Corepile, Ecosystem operates portable batteries and is the default for most non-EU producers. Batribox is the alternative, with slightly lower tariffs at scale. Both are accredited and produce valid IDUs. The choice rarely matters operationally, pick based on whichever your representative recommends.
Do button cells (CR2032, AG13) count?#
Yes. Coin cells and button batteries are in scope. Any chemistry, any size, alkaline, lithium, NiMH, lead-acid, falls under battery EPR. Single units sold in blister packs, and units embedded in devices, both trigger the obligation. The eco-contribution per unit is small but registration is required.
Register batteries + WEEE + packaging together#
We file Ecosystem (or Batribox) for batteries, Ecosystem (or Ecologic) for WEEE and Citeo for packaging under a single representative mandate. Our fee is a fixed annual amount per EPR stream, from €190/year excl. VAT for streams under the eco-organism flat-fee regime, confirmed in a written quote within one business day. See /pricing. Send your battery types and device catalog to /contact for a written quote.
Sources & references#
All legal and regulatory claims in this article trace back to the following primary sources (Légifrance, EUR-Lex, ADEME and equivalents). Verified 24 May 2026.
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