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. [https://www.sgsgroup.fr/fr-fr/campaigns/economie-circulaire]

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. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2021/03/safeguards-03521-significant-changes-to-the-signage-for-packaging-and-recyclable-products]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Claire Peltier
Circular Economy Project Manager
Tel: +33 (0)6 84 59 97 06
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.