Does the paper EPR scheme apply to a board game intended only for internal corporate use?

Yes, as soon as the game is made available to a significant number of people (beyond a few test units). EPR covers any paper printed item placed on the French market, regardless of whether distribution is free or paid. A training kit distributed to 500 employees is covered. A 5-unit prototype is not.

How much does EPR represent on a typical B2B game budget?

On a standard project (500 to 5,000 units, 350 gsm cardboard), EPR represents a marginal share of the total budget excl. VAT, anecdotal at the scale of a B2B game project. It's marginal financially but the operational stakes (Triman sorting info, compliant declaration) must be anticipated to avoid penalties and reprints.

Are wood or plastic-based games also subject to EPR?

For wooden or plastic elements, a different EPR scheme applies: packaging EPR (Citeo) for plastic packaging, furniture-element EPR for durable wood. The paper EPR scheme only covers the paper/cardboard portion. A mixed game (cardboard box + wooden tokens + plastic chips) therefore triggers 2 or 3 separate EPR schemes in theory - handled in practice by the printer via pooling.

REP printed paper 2026: impact on B2B games

Q: Who pays the REP contribution: the printer or the client?

In practice, on 80% of the B2B projects, the printer integrates the contribution into his estimate and declares it on behalf of the customer by mutualisation. The contribution is then recalculated to the customer. This mutualisation is completely legal and standard.

Q: What happens if we forget Triman's info-tri on the box?

The oblivion is sanctioned by a thematic fine raised by non-compliant copy. In practice, this forces a reprint of the box (significant effect for the box element only). That is why we systematically integrate the info-tri from the initial BAT on all our B2B projects since 2022.

The Expanded Producer Responsibility (EPR) printed paper is rising in 2026 and directly affects B2B board games. Many training or communication buyers will learn the new regulations through the manufacturer's final invoice - while it is managed upstream. Here is the actual perimeter, the encrypted contributions and the operating mechanics, without the jargon of eco-organisms.

Print print print: exact perimeter and covered in 2026

There Print-printed Rep (Elarger Producer Responsibility) was created by the AGEC Act of February 2020 and was gradually strengthened until the applicable version in 2026. The principle: any issuer of graphic paper printed in the EU contributes financially to the collection, sorting and recycling at the end of life. The printed paper REP 2026 covers printed media for informational, promotional or recreational purposes - which includes the following: board games, THE playing cards, THE booklets and rules, and any paper part of a B2B game (plate, case, packaging carton).

Who is officially "marketer"? Three standard cases in B2B. Case 1 - the brand that controls the game in her name (client logo, internal distribution): she is the one who is legally responsible. the printer that produces and invoices in white label The Commission has not yet taken the view that the Commission's decision to grant the aid is not contrary to Article 3 of the Treaty. the publisher who sells the game in the commercial circuit: he is the market-maker (more about our see the publisher's guideOf the 33 documented B2B projects, case 1 represents 80% of the cases.

Exemption threshold: only marketers of less than 5 tonnes/year of paper printed matter are exempt from individual reporting (but their printers declare in their place via the mutualised contribution). For almost all major B2B accounts (bank, industry, public sector, education), the declaration is automatic via the portal Citeo (printed paper POR).

Quantified contributions: how much it costs on a B2B game project

The REP contribution is calculated on the kilogram of graphic paper placed on the market, with an evolutionary scale. Tariff 2026 - a reduced tariff for low impact recycled paper, an increased tariff for coated paper without environmental certification, a tariff adjustment for recycled paper and a penalty for non-certified or pollutant-containing paper (e.g. non-vegetable inks).

Concrete calculation for a standard B2B project. 1,000 copies project B2B game (average unit weight: 400 g paper/carton, or 400 kg total): low contribution at project level. 5,000 copies project The contribution is strictly proportional to tonnage - it does not have a threshold effect.

The PNR represents a very marginal part of the total cost, in a typical B2B budget (500-5,000 copies). Economically anecdotal. The real issue is not the financial contribution itself, but the financial contribution itself. operational compliance : visible info-tri, declaration to the right eco-organism, preservation of the proofs for 5 years.

The mandatory Triman info-tri: where, how, under what penalty

Since 1 January 2022 (and reinforced in 2026), any packaging and printed matter submitted to REP must display a Triman logo + sorting instructions. For a B2B board game, the info-tri is positioned on the rear or side side of the box, in a minimum size of 6 mm high, readable without magnifying glass.

Sort instructions specific to a board game: the standard mention is "This box is sorted"for the cardboard box (recyclable), with additional instructions for non-recyclable elements (plastic chips, Velleda slate, glass hourglass) on certain formats. A good practice B2B: integrate this info-tri from the initial BAT to avoid reprinting the box in case of forgetfulness (significant extra cost for reprinting alone).

Penalties provided for by Decree No. 2022-507 (enforced in 2026): deterrent fine per copy placed on the market without compliant info-tri. On a 1,000-print lot, theoretical risk is very high - disproportionate to the actual issue, but the sanction is dissuasive. Of the 33 B2B projects delivered since 2022, 100% are compliant with the BAT (integrated info-tri from the graphic design).

How to position oneself as a B2B market issuer

For a company that orders a B2B game and signs its brand there are two options. Option 1 - declare yourself via Citeo: opening of a producer account, quarterly declaration of tonnage, payment of the contribution. Reasonable administrative burden for actors publishing several printed copies/year ( CSR report, brochures, games).

Option 2 - go through the printer in "mutualization" The printer integrates the REP contribution into its estimate and declares it on behalf of the customer. Advantage: no customer side burden. This option is offered by all printers with an active producer account at Citeo (printed paper POR) or EcoLogic, including our workshop.

For public actors (community, ministries) or large groups already with a producer account, option 1 is required. For ETIs and SMEs publishing occasional games (1 to 5 projects/year), option 2 is much more effective. Our default recommendation: option 2 unless explicit direct consideration is requested.

REP and CSR strategy: turning a constraint into an advantage

The REP is not only an obligation, it is also a potential CSR lever. Three angles to exploit in a B2B game project. Angle 1 - modulate the price via the choice of materials. Recycled or certified paper FSC The cost of the project is reduced (advisory versus standard rate). Marginal economy, but strong narrative consistency for a CSR project.

Angle 2 - Communicate compliance in the game's CSR package. An "environmental footprint" sheet attached to the game: materials used, certifications, RS contribution displayed, info-tri. On client projects with active CSR management (Veolia, Red Cross, France Travail), this sheet is part of the standard deliverable. It feeds the extra-financial balance sheet of the major accounts and the CSRD reports.

Angle 3 - limit tonnage per eco-designA more compact set (fit box vs. oversized), a more concise booklet, a minimum setting: a substantial part of the paper tonnage can be saved without damaging the experience. Marginal REP economy, but a significant reduction in carbon balance on average. Ministry of Ecology (REP) on eco-design of packagings shall apply in full to games B2B.

Sources: Citeo (printed paper POR) · Ministry of Ecology (REP).

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Questions frequent

Does the paper-printed PER apply to a board game intended solely for internal use in a company?

Yes, since the game is made available to a significant number of people (beyond a few test units). The REP covers any printed paper placed on the French market, regardless of the free or paid nature of the distribution. A training kit distributed to 500 employees is concerned. A prototype of 5 copies is not involved.

Who pays the REP contribution: the printer or the client?

Legally, the issuer (the principal who signs his brand) is responsible. In practice, on 80% of B2B projects, the printer integrates the contribution into his estimate and declares it on behalf of the customer by mutualisation. The contribution is then re-billed to the customer. This mutualisation is totally legal and standard.

How much does the REP represent on a classic B2B game budget?

On a standard project (500 to 5,000 copies, 350 g cardboard paper), the REP represents a marginal part of the total HT budget, anecdotal at the scale of a B2B game project. It is marginal financially but the operational issue (tri Triman info, compliant declaration) must be anticipated to avoid penalties and reprint.

What happens if we forget Triman's info-tri on the box?

The oblivion is sanctioned by a theoretical fine high per non-compliant copy. In practice, this forces a reprint of the box (significant extra cost for the box element only). That is why we systematically integrate the info-tri from the initial BAT on all our B2B projects since 2022.

Are games made of wood or plastic also subject to REP?

For wood or plastic elements, the applicable REP is different: REP packaging (Citeo) for plastic packaging, REP furniture elements for durable wood. The printed REP covers only the paper/carton part. A mixed set (box carton + wooden pawns + plastic chips) triggers 2 or 3 separate REPs in theory - managed in practice by the printer in mutualization.