On March 15, 2021, France’s Council of State suspended
the enforcement date for the removal of the ‘Point Vert’, or ‘Green Dot’, from packaging
and recyclable products. The original enforcement date was April 1, 2021.
The decision to remove the Point Vert was originally taken
in November 2020, when a ministerial rule was published to implement a penalty
for logos that “could induce a confusion regarding the sorting rule.”
Point Vert, a graphic containing two or more coiled arrows in a circle, was
included because it was found that 60% of consumers wrongly assumed it denoted the
recyclability of the packaging. In reality, the logo shows that the manufacturer
has paid its eco-contribution to an eco-organization.
The decision to suspend the removal of the Point Vert
was taken following representations from food, hygiene and cosmetics associations.
They contended that, inter alia, the change would present an unjustifiable
obstacle to the free movement of goods within the European Union (EU).
This is one of the latest developments associated with
the introduction of France’s anti-wastage and circular economy law (AGEC Law). Stakeholders
should also be aware that harmonization and clarification of signage guidelines
will also be released in due course. This will standardize the display of the ‘Sorting
Info’ (‘Info-tri’), which will have to be associated with the Triman signage. According
to Article 17 of the AGEC Law, this will impact all packaging and documents
provided with the product.
Currently there is a delay relating to the Info-Tri’s
display modalities (graphic chart, implementation file) due to a detailed
notice from the European Commission. It is expected the new sorting information
and related deliverables will be available to manufacturers from the second
half of 2021. They will then have until January 1, 2022 to affix the Sorting-Info
and Triman to packaging.
Stakeholders should be aware there will be a six-month
time limit for run-out stock that is placed onto the market prior to January 1,
2022. There is also a draft provision to allow manufacturers to substitute French
signage with regulatorily compliant signage from another EU Member State.
SGS’s Commitment to the Circular
Economy
SGS experts are closely monitoring the evolution of
France’s AGEC Law. Utilizing their global network of laboratories, SGS is able
to assist manufacturers through physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing
and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a
comprehensive range of consumer products. After all, it’s only trusted because
it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Commitment to the Circular Economy.
SGS
SafeGuardS
keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods
industry. Read the full Significant Changes
to the Signage for Packaging and Recyclable Products SafeGuardS.
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For
further information contact:
Claire Peltier
Circular Economy Project Manager
Tel: +33 (0)6 84 59 97 06
Email:
crs.media@sgs.com
Website:
www.sgs.com/cgnr
LinkedIn:
sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About
SGS
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