One year ago, on February 10th 2020, France published its Circular Economy Act with several actions aimed at reducing natural resource use and waste production.
What will this change in 2021?
Since the 1st of January, many single-use plastic products are banned from sale. This concerns in particular straws, plastic confetti, steak skewers, disposable cup lids, cutlery, stirrers, expanded polystyrene boxes and rods for balloons. The ban also applies to all products made of oxodegradable plastic. In addition, the free distribution of plastic bottles in public or professional establishments has also been prohibited. The distribution of such bottles during festive, cultural or sporting events is also stopped. The State and local authorities are also required to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics through their purchases.
New Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations have been created to manage waste prevention and management. That means that the manufacturers of catering packaging, tobacco products fitted with plastic filters and household chemicals will be required to finance the end of life of their products.
The reparability index (score out of 10) comes into force for certain categories of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and indicates whether the product is repairable, difficult to repair or non-repairable. The customer now has information on the availability or unavailability of components and the repairer will be able to obtain from the manufacturer what he needs within 15 days.
If you want to know more about the French Circular Economy Act, click here !