Record growth for French DIY and Gardening market

The latest figures show record growth for the French DIY and gardening market. The pandemic and hybrid working encouraged people to take more care of their homes. As a result, the DIY market in 2021 increased by 10.2% to reach 34 billion euros, while the sector had already a growth of 13% in 2020. This is a record turnover for the French market. Furthermore, the growth is also associated with the rise in the competence of DIY individuals who undertake more domestic work due to craftsmen’s long intervention wait. Thanks to this, many local and foreign people have become interested in the French market to sell DIY material.

Eco-organisations

In France, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) gives manufacturers and distributors the responsibility to take charge of the end-of-life products they sell. From 2023 it will be mandatory for the distributors of furniture, gardening, or DIY items to return or deposit those products in a collection point. The companies can arrange it themselves or preferably work with non-profit organizations called “eco-organisations” that take charge of the furniture and gardening items.

An example of an eco-organization is Eco-mobilier, founded in 2011, and has more than 8000 members, 5500 collection points, sorting centers, and 3600 recycling centers. They recover around 1.2 tons of furniture per year. 50% of the recovered materials are recycled. For example, the plastic is shipped to pipes manufacturers, and the wood to panel manufacturers. The rest of the materials are used as fuel.

Eco-contribution

In addition to the extended producer responsibility, you have to pay an eco-contribution. For example, if you sell furniture, electric devices, gardening, or DIY material. The eco-contribution is an environmental contribution. It is calculated according to the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling used furniture. The amount is mentioned separately from the price of the product.

Unique Identification Number

Since 2022, anyone who wants to manufacture, import, or introduce household products subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility has to get a Unique identification number (UIN). To receive this number, you must register with ADEME (French environmental agency) via an eco-organization as Eco-Mobilier (mentioned above). Once you have the number, it’s mandatory to add it to the terms and conditions or any other contractual documents. You risk a € 30k fine if you do not get the UIN.

Sorting signage

In addition to the UIN, anyone who sells household products subject to the Extended Producer Responsibility has to add the Tri-man logo. This logo sorts the rules and instructions on the packaging and documents of the products. The intention is to help and facilitate the recycling process for the customer. If not, you risk a € 15k fine.

Finally, 12 large companies dominate the DIY french market. The biggest are LeroyMerlin, Castorama, Bricodepot, and Bricomarché, representing 70% of the total market share. On the other hand, ManoMano, the biggest marketplace in Europe for DIY, has seen its turnover multiply by four. This threatens the dominance of the larger stores.