What is the Loi AGEC and its main goal?

The Loi AGEC (Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy), enacted in February 2020, is a French law with 130 articles designed to transition France from a linear 'produce-consume-discard' model to a circular economy. Its main goal is to reduce waste and promote sustainable production and consumption patterns.

How does Article 13 of the Loi AGEC relate to Digital Product Passports?

Article 13 of the Loi AGEC mandates that consumers be informed about the environmental 'qualities and characteristics' of waste-generating products through a digital format. This digital product sheet, accessible via QR code or link, is essentially a precurssor to the EU's Digital Product Passport (DPP), requiring standardized and long-lasting data disclosure.

Which data points are required under Loi AGEC's digital product sheet?

Depending on the sector, key data points include recycled content, recyclability in France, traceability of manufacturing stages (especially for textiles), presence of hazardous substances (SVHC), and warnings about microplastics if synthetic fiber content exceeds 50%.

Who needs to comply with the Loi AGEC, especially in 2025?

Compliance is phased, with the threshold expanding by January 1, 2025, to include companies with an annual turnover exceeding €10 million AND placing more than 10,000 units on the French market annually. This applies to both French and international brands selling into France.

How does Loi AGEC prepare brands for the EU's ESPR?

The French AGEC law acts as a 'proving ground' for the upcoming EU Digital Product Passport (ESPR). The infrastructure and processes established for AGEC—like data collection, QR code integration, and supply chain transparency—will form a foundational basis for broader EU-wide compliance with the ESPR.

Navigating the Loi AGEC: France’s Radical Blueprint for DPP

In the landscape of circular economy legislation, France has long been a pioneer. While the European Union prepares for the continent-wide rollout of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), France is already enforcing its own landmark framework: the Loi AGEC (Loi Anti-gaspillage pour une économie circulaire).

For manufacturers, retailers, and digital product passport (DPP) providers, the AGEC law is more than just a local regulation—it is a functional preview of the future of global commerce.

What is the Loi AGEC?

Promulgated in February 2020, the Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) consists of 130 articles aimed at shifting France from a linear "produce-consume-discard" model to a circular one.

While the law covers everything from banning single-use plastics to fighting planned obsolescence, its most significant impact for the dpp.pro community is Article 13. This article mandates that consumers be informed about the environmental "qualities and characteristics" of waste-generating products through a digital format.

The Digital "Product Sheet": The Precursor to the DPP

Under Decree No. 2022-748, companies selling in the French market must provide a digital product sheet. This is, in essence, a Digital Product Passport that must be:

Easily accessible: Typically via a QR code or a dedicated link on the product page.
Standardized: Data must be presented in a structured, downloadable format.
Long-lasting: Information must remain available for at least two years after the product is no longer marketed.

Key Data Points Required

Depending on the sector (textiles, electronics, furniture, etc.), the AGEC law requires specific disclosures:

Recycled Content: The percentage of recycled material used in the product and packaging.
Recyclability: Whether the product is effectively recyclable in France.
Traceability: For textiles, brands must disclose the geographical location of the three main manufacturing stages (e.g., weaving, dyeing, and assembly).
Hazardous Substances: Presence of any substances of very high concern (SVHC) exceeding 0.1%.
Microplastics: Warning if the product contains more than 50% synthetic fibers that release microplastics during washing.

Who Must Comply?

Compliance is being phased in based on company size and market volume. As of January 1, 2025, the threshold has dropped to include:

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding €10 million.
Companies placing more than 10,000 units on the French market annually.

Note: This includes international brands selling into France via e-commerce.

The Ban on "Greenwashing" Terms

A critical component of the AGEC law (Article 13-I) is the strict prohibition of vague environmental claims. Since 2022, terms like "biodegradable," "eco-friendly," or any equivalent claim are strictly banned on products and packaging. The law demands hard data over marketing adjectives—a core philosophy that the Digital Product Passport is designed to support.

From AGEC to ESPR: Why This Matters for DPP.pro

The French AGEC law is the "proving ground" for the upcoming EU Digital Product Passport (ESPR). While the EU version will require even deeper data (such as carbon footprints and interoperable "carrier" standards), the infrastructure you build for AGEC today—data collection, QR code integration, and supply chain transparency—is the foundation for EU-wide compliance tomorrow.

Action Steps for Brands:

Audit your data: Ensure you have verified information on material origins and hazardous substances.
Implement a DPP Solution: Use a platform (like those discussed on dpp.pro) that can generate dynamic QR codes and host "product sheets" in French.
Monitor 2025 Updates: With the 2025 turnover threshold expansion, many mid-sized companies are entering the scope of the law for the first time.

Compliance is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage. By adopting Digital Product Passports under the AGEC law, brands aren't just ticking a box for French regulators; they are building the transparency that modern consumers demand and preparing for the next wave of global sustainability laws.