The stakes are high for the fashion industry, which must implement new approaches and new mechanisms to ensure the traceability of materials and industrial processes throughout the production and delivery chain, in order to transcribe it into the product information delivered to the consumer.
The aim is to demonstrate that CSR commitments are concretely reflected on each finished product and behind each label.
The AGEC law (anti-waste for a circular economy), adopted in February 2020, contains 130 articles aimed at fighting all forms of waste and is based on 5 main areas:
Better informing consumers,
Moving away from disposable plastic,
Fighting against waste and for solidarity-based re-use,
Acting against programmed obsolescence,
Better production
In this article, we will focus on the theme of “Better informing consumers” in order to understand the new requirements to which players in the fashion industry will have to respond and how to meet them.
AGEC law: requirements to better inform consumers
For nearly two out of three French people, the commitment of brands and companies to sustainable development is considered an important choice criterion when making fashion/clothing purchases (source Les Français et la mode durable, Ipsos France and C&A study, September 2019).
In the textile sector, which is the 2nd most polluting sector in the world, the issue of transparency is crucial and represents a strong demand from consumers.
Information to consumers is an essential point to encourage brands to be more transparent and to progress towards more responsible practices.
The decree of 29 April 2022 relating to article 13 of the AGEC law specifies the measures aimed at greater transparency in the fashion sector.
What does the AGEC law specify about consumer information?
The decree of 29 April 2022, relating to Article 13 of the AGEC Act, provides clarification on the notion of consumer information on :
traceability, the path taken by the product during its manufacture
the risks of rejecting plastic microfibres linked to the use of synthetic materials,
the presence of hazardous substances,
and the presence of recycled materials and the recyclability of the product.
Who is affected and when?
This law concerns the compliance of companies (brands, manufacturers, importers):
On 1 January 2023, those with an annual turnover of more than €50M and which place at least 25,000 products on the market.
By 1 January 2024, those with an annual turnover of more than €20 million and which place at least 10,000 products on the market
By 1 January 2025, those with an annual turnover of more than €10 million and which place 10,000 products on the market.
What is the format of the information required?
A dematerialized format is recommended, free of charge and accessible at the time of purchase. It is a website or a dedicated web page with a sheet entitled: “product sheet on environmental qualities and characteristics” so as to allow direct searches and queries on the internet.
If the producer so wishes, he can provide information in a material form.
The information will be available 2 years after the product is placed on the market.
What information is mandatory?
Brands will have to inform consumers about the environmental qualities and characteristics of the products they put on sale on the following points
Environmental claims
Traceability
Plastic microfibres
Recycled materials
Recyclability
Hazardous substances
Eco-modulations
Read more here on Faq-Logistique