Two new labelling updates have come into force for products sold in France: prohibiting the use of specific environmental claims; and covering the compliance deadlines for Triman marking and waste management information.

Publication of decree 13, I: Prohibiting the use of specific environmental claims

From 1 May 2022, it is prohibited to include the words, “biodegradable”, “environmentally friendly” or any other *equivalent environmental claim on a new product or packaging intended for consumers (Article R541-223 of the Environmental Code). * Work to update the practical guide to environmental claims is still in progress. The new guidance will provide more information on what is covered by the current term, “equivalent environmental claims”.

This prohibition stems from article 13 of law n°2020-105, February 10, 2020, on the circular economy and the fight against waste, known as the “AGEC law”. It entered into force the day after the publication of the implementation of decree no. 2022-748 of April 29, 2022, for consumer information on the environmental qualities and characteristics of waste-generating products.

Timeframe to use up stocks

Products or Packaging manufactured or imported before April 30, 2022 have a stock run-down period until January 1, 2023.

AGEC LAW – Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): converging compliance deadlines for Triman marking and waste management information

The French Ministry has confirmed its agreement in principle to apply a tolerance policy for the joint implementation of sorting information for EPR on household packaging and other industry EPRs impacted goods eg textiles. Products subject both to EPR for packaging and another EPR for product can use the last information sorting validation date as the starting point for their compliance period.

Stock run-downs currently for household packaging

One year from September 9, 2021. Packaging manufactured or imported before 9 September 2021, benefits from an additional period of six months, i.e. until March 8, 2023

Stock run-downs currently for textiles, linen and footwear

One year from February 1, 2022. For products manufactured or imported before 1 February 2023, an additional period of six months is applied, i.e. until August 1, 2023.

UKFT Guide to EPR, Triman and waste management of textile products in France

UKFT has published a guide to EPR, Triman and waste management of textile products in France, which is available to UKFT members. To access your copy email info@ukft.org.

GINETEX

This update was provided by GINETEX, the international textile-labelling organisation that owns the widely-used care symbols. The symbols are registered trademarks in over 80 countries, including the UK and all major European markets and UKFT is responsible for the use of the GINETEX symbols in the UK.

Get a care label licence from UKFT

Companies must have a licence to use the care symbols and UKFT can provide a care labelling licence that allows the use of the symbols throughout the world. The symbols used in ISO 3758 are also the GINETEX symbols and are also covered by the trademarks. UKFT can also provide translations for a wide range of fibres, standard wash care instructions and other labelling requirements as part of this service.

Find out about UKFT’s labelling services here