The regulatory environment surrounding packaging in France has undergone radical changes in recent years.
Three key pieces of legislation—the AGEC Act, the Packaging Act, and the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—aim to curb waste and promote a circular economy.
As France pursues its goal of eliminating single-use plastics by 2040, companies are following strict rules to be sustainable.
Enacted in 2021, the French AGEC Law (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy) laid the foundation for sustainable packaging by introducing comprehensive measures to reduce environmental impact.
The law mandates the phase-out of single-use plastic packaging by 2040 and encourages the use of recycled or compostable materials.
Businesses must contribute financially through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, effectively placing an environmental responsibility on those who present packaging in the marketplace.
One prominent feature is the 3R Decree (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), a strategic plan that outlines goals for reducing plastic.
By 2025, 20% of single-use plastic packaging must be reduced, with part of this reduction achieved through reusable or recyclable solutions.
This change reflects a response to consumer demand: a CITEO study found that 70% of French consumers prefer unpackaged fruit and vegetables, underscoring society's broad desire for less packaging.
In 2022, the French Packaging Law was introduced to reinforce the efforts of the AGEC Law to combat dumping.
The law requires businesses to reduce the weight and volume of packaging, improve its reusability, and clearly inform consumers about the environmental impact.
This is in line with the EU-wide objectives of achieving 100% reusable packaging by 2030, reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly product life cycles.
The law also addresses consumer concerns, mandating that large and medium-sized retailers designate 20% of retail locations in wholesale by 2030.
Additionally, glass packaging is making a comeback, with a renewed emphasis on reusing glass containers—a move that complements traditional French practices and reinforces sustainable packaging.
The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which came into effect in February 2024, aims to standardize packaging requirements across member states.
This regulation not only sets a 100% recycling target for inclusion by 2030 but also mandates reducing packaging volume and eliminating certain single-use materials.
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