Citeo vs Léko vs Adelphe.
Which packaging eco-organism is right for you.
Five minute read. Last updated 21 May 2026.
France has three approved eco-organisms for household packaging EPR: Citeo, Léko, and Adelphe. Producers adhere to exactly one. The choice matters for fee structure and eco-modulation bonuses, but it is contractual, not legal: all three deliver the same IDU, the same regulatory cover, and the same marketplace acceptance.
| Criterion | Citeo | Léko | Adelphe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market share | ~95% | ~5% | Specialised verticals |
| Best for | Default choice, all sectors | High recycled-content packaging | Wine, spirits, pharma |
| Eco-modulation | Standard French scale | Bonus on recycled content | Industry-specific |
| Reporting frequency | Annual | Annual | Annual |
| Marketplace acceptance | All platforms | All platforms | All platforms |
When to pick Citeo
The default. Citeo handles the vast majority of French packaging EPR registrations. Their fee structure is the reference everyone benchmarks against. Their eco-modulation rewards lightweight design, mono-material packaging, and clear consumer recycling instructions. For a typical Amazon FBA or Shopify D2C non-EU brand selling mixed consumer goods, Citeo is the right call. Read the Citeo dossier for the full registration picture.
When to consider Léko
Léko was created as a producer-owned alternative and remains smaller, but its eco-modulation tends to be more favourable for packaging with significant post-consumer recycled content (PCR). If your packaging is largely recycled cardboard or rPET, Léko can be marginally cheaper per declared tonne. The difference is real but small (single-digit percent), and switching only makes financial sense at a certain volume. Read the Léko dossier for details.
When Adelphe is the right choice
Adelphe is a Citeo subsidiary, with the same operational infrastructure but fee structures tailored to specific verticals: wine and spirits, pharmaceutical products, and a few smaller industries. If you produce these goods, Adelphe is often the better fit because the contribution scale reflects industry realities (the recycling rate of wine bottles is well-tracked separately, for example). Read the Adelphe dossier for the precise scope.
Bottom line for foreign sellers
Unless you sell wine, spirits, or pharma (Adelphe), or your packaging is explicitly high-PCR cardboard or rPET (Léko), default to Citeo. The savings from switching are negligible at most foreign seller scales, and Citeo’s broader infrastructure and marketplace integration make day-to-day operations smoother. When you reach a scale where eco-modulation savings justify the switch, your representative reassesses with you.
If you want a fee that does not change whether you choose Citeo, Léko, or Adelphe: our packaging representative fee is identical across all three, a fixed annual amount from €190/year excl. VAT, confirmed in a written quote within one business day. See how our pricing works.
Frequently asked questions
Does it matter legally which packaging eco-organism I pick, Citeo, Léko or Adelphe?
No. All three are accredited for household packaging EPR and deliver the same IDU, the same regulatory cover, and the same marketplace acceptance. The choice is contractual, driven by fee structure and eco-modulation, not a compliance requirement: joining any one of the three satisfies the statutory obligation.
Which eco-organism should a typical Amazon FBA seller choose?
Citeo, the default for most foreign sellers. It handles the large majority of French packaging EPR registrations, its fee structure is the market reference, and its eco-modulation rewards lightweight, mono-material packaging with clear recycling instructions, which fits typical mixed consumer-goods catalogs.
When does switching to Léko make financial sense?
When your packaging is largely recycled cardboard or rPET with significant post-consumer recycled content. Léko's eco-modulation tends to favour that profile, but the difference from Citeo is single-digit percent, so switching only pays off at a certain declared volume, not for a small catalog.
Who should register with Adelphe instead of Citeo?
Producers of wine, spirits or pharmaceutical products. Adelphe is a Citeo subsidiary sharing the same operational infrastructure but with fee structures tailored to those verticals, where the recycling rate of the packaging (wine bottles, for example) is tracked separately from general household packaging.
Does our representative fee change depending on which eco-organism I join?
No. Our packaging representative fee is identical whether you join Citeo, Léko or Adelphe: a fixed annual amount from €190/year excluding VAT, confirmed in a written quote within one business day. We take no percentage or margin on the eco-contribution or membership fee regardless of which eco-organism you choose.