ASL-Sports and Leisure equipment

In France, in addition to packaging, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and batteries, other material flows are also subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR). Since 2022, the material flow for sports and leisure equipment, known as ‘Articles de Sport et de Loisirs (ASL)’, has also been covered.

Which articles are affected?

ASL-Sports and Leisure equipment include all products used for sporting activities or outdoor leisure activities. This includes accessories and consumables. The articles concerned include:

  • Cycling and mobility: bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates as well as tyres and spare parts
  • Water sports: diving equipment, fishing tackle, surfboards, kayaks
  • Sliding sports: skis, ski poles, ice skates, sledges
  • Outdoor activities: camping equipment, climbing equipment
  • Horse riding: Saddles, helmets, riding whips
  • Racket sports: tennis rackets, table tennis tables
  • Team sports: basketballs, footballs, handballs, rugby balls
  • Protective equipment: helmets, ropes, carabiners
  • Fitness and bodybuilding: fitness mats, dumbbells, non-electric weight machines
  • Hunting and shooting: hunting equipment, sports ammunition

Excluded are electrical and electronic products (e.g. e-bikes), non-sports-specific textiles, firearms, toys, professional equipment and boats over 2.5 metres in length.

Legal regulation

The legal basis for extended producer responsibility in the area of sport and leisure equipment is enshrined in the French Environmental Code, in particular in Articles L. 541-10 and R. 543-330. These articles oblige manufacturers to organise and finance the disposal, reuse and recycling of their products. The regulations are part of the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Act (AGEC) introduced in 2020, which aims to minimise the environmental impact of products and promote the circular economy.

What obligations do I have as a manufacturer?

  • Registration in the national register
  • Annual declaration of total quantities and weights of products placed on the market
  • Information for end users on disposal and recycling
  • Financing the collection and processing of appliances
  • Annual reporting on collection and processing to the authorities

What obligations do I have as a distributor?

Since 1 January 2023, dealers have been obliged to take back used ASL appliances from their customers:

  • Sales area between 200 and 400 m² dedicated to ASL: 1:1 take-back obligation.
  • Sales area > 400 m² dedicated to ASL: obligation to take back without obligation to purchase (1:0 take-back).
  • Distance selling with a turnover of more than €100,000 from the sale of ASL: 1:1 take-back obligation.

What happens if I do not fulfil the requirements?

Failure to comply with the regulations can lead to significant penalties. The AGEC legislation provides for fines of up to 70,000 euros per undeclared product.