France strengthens its commitment to recycling with more sustainable shipping
E-commerce continues to grow in France, and with it comes the growing challenge of reducing the environmental impact of logistics and packaging. Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, protective materials and other forms of single-use packaging continue to pose a significant sustainability challenge for the sector.
To move towards a more circular economy, France has strengthened its regulatory framework in recent years by introducing new requirements for recycling, packaging and environmental labelling. These national measures are complemented by the new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will harmonise rules across all EU Member States.
French e-commerce continues to grow
According to the latest FEVAD data published by Ecommerce Europe, French e-commerce generated record revenue of €175.3 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 9.6% compared with the previous year.
The sector recorded 2.6 billion transactions, while product sales reached €66.9 billion and service sales amounted to €108.4 billion. These figures reinforce France’s position as one of Europe’s leading e-commerce markets.
The circular economy as a priority
France was one of the first European countries to introduce specific legislation aimed at reducing consumption-related waste through France’s Anti-waste and Circular Economy Law, commonly known as the AGEC Law.
The legislation promotes reuse, recycling and the reduction of single-use plastics, while strengthening extended producer responsibility and improving the environmental information provided to consumers.
One of its main measures is the introduction of the Triman + Info-tri system. This system is mandatory for relevant categories of products and packaging placed on the French market and is intended to help consumers sort and recycle them correctly.
At European level, the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force in February 2025 and will generally apply from August 2026. It introduces requirements intended to reduce excessive packaging, increase the recycled content of certain types of packaging and improve packaging recyclability.
In addition, circular logistics is not only about improving shipping processes. It also requires effective reverse logistics. Well-designed e-commerce returns processes make it possible to return products to stock and reduce waste.
Packaging and recycling: new obligations
France introduces new ultra-fast fashion regulation
Sustainability requirements are also extending to the textile industry. France adopted an anti-fast-fashion law in July 2026 to reduce the environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion.
The law defines ultra-fast fashion using two cumulative criteria: placing a high number of new product references on the market and providing little incentive to repair those products. It covers relevant producers, online marketplaces and platforms facilitating the purchase or delivery of these products. It also introduces transparency requirements concerning manufacturing locations and requires certain online platforms to display information encouraging more sustainable consumption. Some implementation details will be defined through secondary legislation.
What does this mean for businesses?
Businesses selling products in France will need to continue adapting their packaging, labelling systems and logistics processes to comply with French legislation and applicable EU requirements.
The textile industry should review the requirements introduced by the French ultra-fast fashion law, including provisions affecting product information, online platforms, advertising and extended producer responsibility. Businesses should also monitor the implementing legislation that will define certain detailed requirements.
FAQ
What is the AGEC Law?
The AGEC Law (Anti-Gaspillage pour une Économie Circulaire) is French legislation designed to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. It aims to reduce waste generation, encourage reuse, improve recycling and promote more sustainable consumption. It also introduces specific requirements for manufacturers, distributors and businesses that place products on the French market.
What is Triman + Info-tri?
Triman + Info-tri is France’s environmental labelling system for relevant products and packaging subject to sorting requirements. It informs consumers how to sort the different components correctly. Its purpose is to make sorting instructions clearer and help consumers direct products and packaging to the appropriate waste streams.
What is the PPWR?
The PPWR, or Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, is the new European regulation covering packaging and packaging waste. It aims to harmonise requirements across EU Member States, reduce packaging waste, encourage reuse and improve the recyclability and environmental performance of packaging placed on the EU market.
What is the French ultra-fast fashion law intended to achieve?
The French ultra-fast fashion law is intended to reduce the environmental impact associated with extremely rapid production and consumption models. It defines ultra-fast fashion using criteria related to the number of new products placed on the market and the level of encouragement given to product repair. It also introduces requirements affecting online platforms, product-origin information, advertising and producer responsibility.
