2025 opens a new chapter for ecological transition in France with the entry into force of key measures stemming from the Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) and the Climate and Resilience law.
Based on the „next steps“ of the French AGEC laws there are some new requirements that have to be taken care of and taken into consideration. Basic news is that from now an all packaging is covered by the French packaging compliance so that companies have to include all types of packaging from 2025 on in their reports: household, industrial, commercial and food service packaging.
On top of that additional points are:
- Attaining reuse targets:
You need to include a turnover-dependent minimum percentage of reusable packaging for all your ranges:
5% for companies with a turnover of €20-50 M.
7% for companies with a turnover greater than €50 M.
- Obligation to incorporate recycled plastic in drinks bottles:
Bottles must contain at least 25% recycled plastic.
Exceptions: the paper labels attached to the bottles, drinks bottles containing food for special medical purposes, glass or metal drinks bottles with a plastic bottle top.
- Ban on using mineral oils:
For all printed matter intended for the general public.
The ban concerns inks containing more than 0.1% of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) or mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH).
- Ban on plastic food containers:
Sectors affected: institutional catering (schools, universities, nurseries) and maternity and children’s healthcare services.
Date of entry into force: 1 January 2025. However, in local authority areas with a population of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, the deadline for applying the measure is 1 January 2028.
- The obligation to provide consumers with information in electronic format when purchasing a product:
Obligatory information: you need to mention the environmental advantages and characteristics of your packaging (recyclability, incorporation of recycled material, reuse, presence of hazardous substances, etc.).
Accessibility: the information needs to be available at purchasing, on a dedicated website or web page.
The companies affected: companies with a turnover of over 10 million euros (as opposed to €20 M previously) and placing over 10,000 units on the market.
You can contact the Go4Recycling Team on all issues related to environmental EPR compliance in France for packaging, WEEE, batteries, textiles and furniture – so feel free to ask.