From January 2025, the Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) will impose new rules on the entire packaging industry. Reuse quotas, traceability, penalties and eco-design are becoming essential for manufacturers, distributors and service providers. For professionals, it is no longer just a matter of meeting an environmental requirement, but also of anticipating major economic, organisational and competitive impacts. To ensure you remain compliant and competitive in a rapidly changing circular economy, here is a key summary of the AGEC law.

Why is the AGEC law transforming the packaging industry?

Adopted to reduce waste and limit waste production, the AGEC law places the circular economy at the heart of France’s environmental strategy. It requires packaging professionals to rethink their industrial and logistical models in order to:

• reduce the proportion of single-use packaging,
• develop reuse and recycling,
• ensure the traceability of packaging throughout its life cycle,
• design eco-friendly and recyclable solutions.

Five points to check now to ensure compliance

1. Mandatory reuse quotas

The AGEC law sets quantified reuse targets for certain types of packaging for 2025. It sets an ambitious trajectory: 5% of packaging reused by 2023, then 10% by 2027. However, in 2023, only 2.22% of packaging placed on the market was actually reused. The professional sector achieved 7.1%, but the household sector lagged far behind with only 1.1%. In concrete terms, out of 109.4 billion packaging units put into circulation, barely 2.4 billion were returned to a reuse loop. Companies must therefore demonstrate their ability to integrate containers designed for multiple use cycles into their product ranges. This transition requires a rethink of product design to ensure that products are robust, standardised and compatible with different logistics channels. It also involves reviewing flow management: collection of packaging after use, cleaning and recirculation processes. This change goes far beyond a simple regulatory constraint: it is changing the business model of many companies, which must invest in new industrial and organisational solutions.

2. Enhanced traceability and proof of compliance

Beyond volumes, the law requires rigorous traceability. In practical terms, each piece of reused packaging must be traceable throughout its life cycle. It must be identified and tracked using digital tools such as QR codes, chips, centralised management platforms and databases shared with logistics partners. This approach is not just a regulatory requirement: it also brings operational benefits.

By centralising information, companies gain better control over their stocks, reduce losses and can promote their environmental performance to their customers and partners. Ultimately, traceable packaging becomes a marketing asset: informing consumers about the number of cycles already completed can reinforce positive perceptions of the brand. In short, these essential tools guarantee transparency and avoid disputes during inspections.

3. Stricter penalties

The AGEC law introduces a framework of significant financial penalties for any company that does not meet reuse quotas or is unable to provide proof of traceability. But the stakes go beyond a simple fine. The risk is to the brand image: a breach can impact the confidence of customers, distributors and investors. In a market where environmental responsibility is becoming a selection criterion, failing to anticipate these obligations could result in a loss of competitiveness. According to several parliamentary reports, inspections will be stepped up in the coming months to ensure compliance with the law. By complying with the regulations in force, companies can not only avoid these penalties, but also demonstrate a proactive approach that can become a commercial advantage.

4. Integrating eco-design from the design stage

The AGEC is not limited to reuse. It encourages the adoption of an integrated eco-design approach from the product development stage. This means creating lighter packaging, made with fewer materials and designed to be repairable or easily recyclable. It aims to achieve a 20% reduction in single-use plastic packaging by the end of 2025, with 50% of this reduction to be achieved through reuse. Eco-design also offers economic benefits: lighter packaging, optimised transport volumes, reduced raw material use and, ultimately, lower production costs. There are concrete examples: the return of glass deposits reduces the carbon footprint by a factor of 5 and primary energy consumption by 76% compared to conventional recycling. This change often requires closer collaboration with raw material suppliers, designers and industrial partners. Companies that adopt this approach today will gain a head start in the market and will be able to communicate about more responsible packaging.

5. New economic and logistics models

The implementation of quotas and traceability is leading to a profound change in logistics organisations. Deposit systems are coming back into the spotlight: historically used in Alsace for beer, they are now being tested for many types of packaging. Requiring the establishment of collection circuits, washing centres and accurate tracking of reusable packaging, the pooling of containers between several companies is emerging as a key strategy: pilot projects, such as ReUse, funded by Citeo, plan to put 30 million reusable packaging items into circulation for 16 million citizens by 2025 in four French regions. This approach allows companies to share infrastructure, costs and feedback. With costs two to seven times lower than recycling, this solution also offers considerable environmental benefits (92% reduction in waste volume). In addition, the digitalisation of logistics flows – via management platforms and data analysis tools – is a key lever for automating traceability and ensuring compliance. This shift also opens up new opportunities: offering reuse services can become a source of additional revenue or a differentiating selling point.

To go further: Webinar #8 – Packaging reuse: from experimentation to industrial reality

✅ Checklist: are you compliant with the AGEC law?

☐ I have identified single-use packaging in my range.

☐ I have launched a development plan for reusable solutions.

☐ I have a reliable digital traceability system.

☐ My teams are trained in the new AGEC requirements.

☐ I have anticipated the necessary logistics and technology budget.

☐ I am already exploring partnerships (deposit schemes, pooling, platforms).

How is being already compliant with the AGEC law a strategic tool?

Waiting until 2025 to adapt your organisation is risky. By preparing well in advance, companies have been able to:

• ensure regulatory compliance and avoid penalties,
• gradually optimise their industrial and logistics processes,
• remain competitive in a market where clients favour suppliers who are already aligned with these standards,
• strengthen their brand image and meet growing consumer expectations for sustainable packaging.

For those who are lagging behind, here are the key steps to a successful transition

1. Internal assessment: identify your current packaging, its life cycle and overall cost.
2. Prototyping and testing: develop reusable packaging and validate its technical performance.
3. Implement traceability tools: choose solutions that are compatible with your ERP system and your partners.
4. Training: involve your teams (production, logistics, sales) to ensure a smooth transition.
5. Communication: promote your actions to your customers, investors and employees.

ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS: the trade show to find your solutions

Compliance is not just a constraint, it is above all an opportunity to:

• promote your innovations in sustainable packaging,
• strengthen your brand image with customers and distributors,
• access new markets where regulatory compliance is a prerequisite,
• position yourself as a pioneer in the ecological transition in packaging.

The exhibitors at the ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS trade show are directly concerned by all of these issues. That’s why this event is a unique opportunity to discover innovative traceability technologies and share your experience with other professionals in the industry. Remember to plan your visit in advance to identify your future suppliers of reusable packaging or your logistics partners specialising in reuse!

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