Environmental quality of products: improved consumer information

You are aware of the environmental impact of the products you consume, you want to know if they are sustainable, repairable, recyclable, if they contain precious metals or rare earths whose extraction can be very polluting? Do you want to know if their packaging is biodegradable, reusable?

A decree issued in Official Journal on 30 April 2022, producers, importers and distributors of consumer goods will have to communicate this information on the products they sell, with a gradual implementation of this obligation, pursuant to Article L541-9-1 of the Environmental Code.

The aim is to encourage virtuous competition, which is favorable to products whose end-of-life and packaging will generate the least waste.

Phased implementation, until January 1, 2025

Up to 1^er in january 2023, producers and retailers will be able to dispose of inventory of manufactured or imported products prior to the issuance of this Order. This regulation will be implemented in stages, depending on the size of the companies:

• 1^er January 2023 for companies that place at least 25 000 copies on the national market with an annual turnover of more than EUR 50 million of the consumer goods concerned;
• 1^er January 2024 for those placing at least 10 000 copies on the national market with a turnover exceeding EUR 20 million;
• 1^er January 2025, for those placing at least 10 000 copies on the national market with a turnover of more than EUR 10 million.

Products concerned and nature of information

The following are covered by this obligation to provide information:

• printed paper (except books);

• electrical and electronic equipment;
• construction products and materials;
• batteries;
• household chemicals that may pose a significant risk to health and the environment;
• furniture;
• clothing and footwear;
• sporting goods, do-it-yourself goods;
• private cars, vans, motorcycles and mopeds.

You will find on these products, depending on their nature:

• a reparability index;
• a durability index (from 1^er January 2024);
• details of their recyclability at end-of-life;
• the proportion of materials already recycled incorporated in them;
• the use of renewable resources for building materials;
• the reporting of a hazardous substance if its concentration is greater than 0.1% of the product concerned.

The presence of precious metals and rare earths should also be mentioned for electrical equipment, computer products and vehicles.

The traceability (manufacturing, manufacturing, finishing) of textiles and footwear will be detailed, as well as the presence of plastic microfibers.

The producer will also report on the premiums received or penalties paid based on environmental performance criteria.

Processing of packaging

The compostability or methanizability of the packaging shall be mentioned, as well as the proportion of recycled materials contained therein, and their possible reuse, with the indication reusable packaging or refillable packaging or their recyclable quality (recyclable packaging into packaging of the same kind).