A company that places packaging or packaged products on the French market without being established in France usually has two separate boxes to tick: joining an approved eco-organization for the packaging scheme, and appointing an Authorized Representative established in France.
Léko is one of the eco-organizations approved for the household packaging scheme in France, positioning itself as an alternative to the historic players in the sector.
This article walks through what Léko is, when an Authorized Representative is actually required to join it, what that representative does day to day, and how Ekovio can take on the role for your company.
Summarize this article with:
🎯 TL;DR: Léko and the Authorized Representative Requirement
- Léko is one of three eco-organizations approved for the EMPAP household packaging scheme, alongside Citeo and its subsidiary Adelphe, through December 31, 2029.
- Since July 10, 2026, any company subject to EPR that isn’t established in France must appoint a French Authorized Representative, by written mandate.
- An existing Léko membership doesn’t by itself satisfy this requirement if your company still lacks a French establishment.
- Ekovio’s representation service is billed per action (registration, declaration, termination), separately from the eco-contributions you owe Léko.
Short answer: if your company sells packaging or packaged products in France without a French establishment, you need both a membership with Léko (or another EMPAP-approved eco-organization) and, in most cases, a French Authorized Representative to formalize and follow up on that membership. Ekovio can act as that representative alone, or manage the whole relationship with Léko on your behalf.
🔍 How We Checked This
The representative obligation described here comes from Article L. 541-10-9-1 of the French Environmental Code, in force since July 10, 2026. The EMPAP scheme approvals for Citeo, Adelphe, and Léko run through December 31, 2029, per their state approval. Where PPWR intersects with this topic, we cite Regulation (EU) 2025/40 directly. Pricing figures reflect Ekovio’s own published rates at the time of writing; check the Pricing page for the current schedule.
🏢 What Is Léko?
Léko is an eco-organization approved by the French State for the household packaging and graphic papers scheme (EMPAP). It presents itself as a third option on this market, alongside Citeo and its subsidiary Adelphe, built around differentiated rates and support presented as personalized.
Citeo, Adelphe, and Léko are the three eco-organizations currently approved for EMPAP, through December 31, 2029. A company subject to packaging EPR obligations has to choose one of the three to fulfill its declaration and contribution duties. Every approved eco-organization carries out the same regulatory duties, within the framework set by its approval, so the differences between them come down to pricing, support, and sector focus rather than the underlying legal obligations.
| Eco-organization | Positioning | EMPAP approval |
|---|---|---|
| Citeo | Historic, largest player, general household packaging | Through December 31, 2029 |
| Adelphe (Citeo subsidiary) | Food and beverage sectors | Through December 31, 2029 |
| Léko | Newer entrant, differentiated rates and personalized support | Through December 31, 2029 |
⭐ Why Consider Léko for Your Packaging Compliance?
Léko targets companies that want to compare the offers available on the EMPAP scheme rather than defaulting to the historic player. Its pitch centers on a differentiated pricing structure and support presented as more personalized, which can appeal both to companies discovering their EPR obligations for the first time and to companies already registered elsewhere and evaluating an alternative.
As with any eco-organization, the choice should be assessed against your sector, your packaging volumes, and the level of service you expect, not on positioning alone.
💡 Tip: ask each eco-organization for the same three things before comparing them: their fee schedule for your expected packaging volumes, their response time on declaration questions, and what support is included versus billed separately. That gives you a like-for-like comparison instead of relying on marketing positioning.
🚀 Not sure if you even need a representative?
Get a clear, free answer in minutes.
✅ No credit card required
⚖️ Do You Need an Authorized Representative to Join Léko?
Since July 10, 2026, Article L. 541-10-9-1 of the French Environmental Code requires a company subject to EPR that is not established in France to appoint a representative established in France. The obligation applies equally to companies established elsewhere in the EU and to companies established outside the EU, and it covers the household packaging scheme, so it reaches any company that wants to join Léko without a French establishment.
The representative must be a natural or legal person established in France, and the appointment has to be formalized through a written mandate that specifies the scope of the obligations covered. Separately, the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40), applicable from August 12, 2026, also provides under Article 45 for the appointment of an authorized representative for EPR in certain cross-border situations.
In practice, a company not established in France that wants to join Léko will, in most cases, need a French Authorized Representative to formalize its membership and follow up on its obligations.
⚠️ Common misconception: being a Léko member already doesn’t mean the representative requirement is met. Membership and representation are two separate obligations. If your company isn’t established in France, its situation needs to be checked against the rule that has applied since July 10, 2026, even if you joined Léko years ago.
📋 What Your Authorized Representative Does With Léko
The role goes well beyond signing a mandate. It generally covers:
- Registering the membership with Léko on behalf of the company.
- Declaring the quantities and categories of packaging placed on the market.
- Calculating and following up on the eco-contributions owed to Léko.
- Updating the declared information whenever the company’s activity changes.
- Handling routine exchanges with Léko related to the company’s EPR compliance.
The exact scope of the mandate has to be defined precisely. A company can delegate all of these tasks to its Authorized Representative, or keep part of them in-house.
💶 How Much Does an Authorized Representative for Léko Cost?
The cost of representation is separate from the eco-contributions paid to Léko, which depend on your declared packaging volumes. At Ekovio, the Authorized Representative service is priced per action rather than through a fixed subscription:
| Action | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Registration or contract transfer | €149.99 | Initial setup of your representation with Léko, whether it’s a new membership or a transfer of an existing contract to Ekovio |
| Declaration | €99.99 | Each declaration submitted to Léko on behalf of your company |
| Termination | €49.99 | Ending the representation mandate |
These amounts come on top of the eco-contributions owed to Léko, which are calculated from your declared volumes. Full pricing details are on our Pricing page.
✅ Steps to Become Compliant With Léko
Compliance generally follows these steps:
- Check whether the company qualifies as a producer under the packaging EPR scheme.
- Determine whether the company is established in France or not.
- If not established in France, appoint an Authorized Representative through a written mandate.
- Choose Léko, or another eco-organization approved for the EMPAP scheme.
- Formalize the membership and obtain a Unique Identifier (IDU).
- Declare the volumes of packaging placed on the market and pay the corresponding eco-contributions.
- Maintain compliance over time, including when products or volumes change.
A company that was already a Léko member before July 10, 2026 should still check whether its situation needs updating in light of the representative requirement.
🔄 Léko or Citeo: How to Compare Eco-Organizations?
The EMPAP scheme’s approved eco-organizations all carry out the same regulatory duties within the framework set by their approval, so comparing them means looking at rates, associated services such as support and declaration assistance, and how responsive the support actually is, not the underlying legal obligations. Switching eco-organizations remains possible after an initial membership, subject to the contractual conditions in force and the timelines specific to each membership.
Your Authorized Representative can support this comparison, whether the choice is Léko or Citeo.
🚀 Want someone else to handle the paperwork with Léko?
Ekovio can manage the whole relationship, or just the representation.
✅ No credit card required
🤝 Ekovio, Your Authorized Representative for Léko
Ekovio can act as your Authorized Representative for your membership with Léko, either solely in that role alongside a company that already manages its own data and declarations, or as part of a more complete management of packaging EPR compliance that includes membership, declarations, and eco-contribution follow-up with Léko. The exact scope of the assignment is defined contractually, based on your company’s organization and needs.
Start your free trial with Ekovio to organize your representation with Léko.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About the Authorized Representative and Léko
Am I required to choose Léko for my packaging compliance?
No. The EMPAP scheme includes several approved eco-organizations, including Citeo, Adelphe, and Léko. The company chooses which one to join.
Do I need an Authorized Representative if I’m already a Léko member?
An existing membership alone doesn’t demonstrate that the representative requirement is fulfilled. If your company isn’t established in France, its situation must be reviewed against the obligation applicable since July 10, 2026.
Is Ekovio affiliated with Léko?
No. Ekovio is an independent service provider that supports companies with their EPR compliance, including their relationship with Léko, without being affiliated to any particular eco-organization.
Can I keep managing my declarations while Ekovio handles representation?
Yes. Ekovio can act solely as your Authorized Representative while your company retains operational management of its data and declarations.
What happens if I switch eco-organizations after appointing an Authorized Representative?
The mandate must be updated to reflect the new eco-organization. Ekovio can support this transition, including a switch to Citeo or Adelphe.
Organize Your Representation With Léko
A company not established in France that places packaging on the French market has two things to check: its membership with an approved eco-organization, and its obligation to appoint an Authorized Representative. Léko is one of the eco-organizations approved for the EMPAP scheme, alongside Citeo and Adelphe, and Ekovio can act as your representative with Léko, on its own or as part of a more complete management of your packaging EPR compliance.
Start your free trial with Ekovio to set up your Authorized Representative with Léko.
📚 Sources
- Article L. 541-10-9-1, French Environmental Code, official text, Légifrance
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), official text, EUR-Lex
