AGEC Law in France
How the French Anti-Waste Law (AGEC) impacts textile businesses and what you need to comply.
What is the AGEC Law?
The AGEC Law (Loi Anti-Gaspillage pour une Économie Circulaire - Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy) is French legislation enacted in February 2020 that aims to accelerate France's transition away from a disposable economy toward a circular model. For textiles specifically, AGEC introduces groundbreaking requirements that go beyond EU regulations.
If you sell clothing, footwear, or home linens in France—whether you're a French brand or an international retailer—AGEC compliance is mandatory.
Key AGEC Requirements for Textiles
1. Traceability Information (Article 13)
Effective: January 1, 2023
All textile products sold in France must display the following information:
- • Incorporation of recycled materials (if applicable)
- • Presence of hazardous substances
- • Use of microplastics
- • Traceability elements (country of weaving, dyeing, manufacturing)
2. EPR Scheme (Extended Producer Responsibility)
Effective: January 1, 2023 (expanded)
Brands must join an eco-organization like Refashion and pay an eco-contribution based on:
- • Product category (clothing, shoes, linens)
- • Environmental impact (recyclability, use of recycled materials)
- • Presence of substances of concern
3. Ban on Destruction of Unsold Goods
Effective: December 31, 2021
Destroying unsold non-food products (including textiles) is prohibited. Companies must donate, recycle, or reuse excess inventory. Violations result in fines up to €15,000.
4. Repair Index
Effective: January 1, 2024
Products must display a repairability score (0-10) based on documentation availability, ease of disassembly, spare parts availability, and repair cost.
AGEC Timeline for Textiles
Ban on Destruction
Unsold textiles cannot be destroyed (Dec 31, 2021)
Traceability + EPR Expansion
Full traceability info required on labels (Jan 1, 2023)
Repair Index
Repairability scores displayed on products (Jan 1, 2024)
Enhanced EPR Fees
Eco-modulation based on environmental criteria fully applied
Who Must Comply?
AGEC applies to:
- Manufacturers: Brands producing textiles for the French market
- Importers: Companies importing textiles into France from abroad
- Retailers: Stores selling textiles under their own brand (private label)
- E-commerce: Online platforms selling to French consumers
⚠️ Important
Even if your company is based outside France, you must comply with AGEC if you sell textiles to French consumers (B2C) or retailers (B2B).
Practical Compliance Steps
Step 1: Join Refashion (EPR Eco-Organization)
Refashion is the approved eco-organization for textiles in France. To join:
- Register on the Refashion portal (refashion.fr)
- Declare your annual textile sales in France
- Pay eco-contribution (calculated based on units sold and environmental criteria)
- Submit quarterly or annual reports
💶 Typical Eco-Contribution Costs
- • Standard garment: €0.05 - €0.15 per unit
- • Footwear: €0.10 - €0.25 per pair
- • Home linens: €0.08 - €0.20 per item
Costs are lower for products with high recycled content or eco-design features.
Step 2: Update Product Labels
Your product labels must now include:
- Traceability info: Countries of weaving, dyeing, and assembly
- Recycled content: % of recycled fibers (if any)
- Microplastics: Warning if product releases microplastics when washed
- Chemical safety: Presence of substances of very high concern (SVHC)
- Sorting logo: Triman symbol + sorting instructions
Step 3: Implement Unsold Goods Management
Since destroying unsold goods is banned, establish processes for:
- Donation: Partner with charities (tax deductible in France)
- Recycling: Send to certified textile recyclers
- Upcycling: Transform into new products or materials
- Outlet sales: Sell at reduced prices rather than destroy
Step 4: Calculate Repair Index (2024+)
The French government provides a calculation grid. You'll need to assess:
Availability of repair manuals and technical docs
Ease of taking apart for repair
Availability and delivery time
Cost of repair vs. new product
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Potential Fines:
- •Destroying unsold goods: Up to €15,000 per violation
- •Missing EPR registration: Up to €75,000 + ban from selling
- •Missing traceability info: Up to €3,000 per product category
- •Misleading environmental claims: Up to €300,000 + 2 years imprisonment (greenwashing)
AGEC vs. EU ESPR: What's the Difference?
| Aspect | AGEC (France) | EU ESPR |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | France only | All 27 EU countries |
| Timeline | Active since 2020 | Phased 2024-2030 |
| Destruction Ban | ✓ Yes (since 2021) | Proposed |
| Repair Index | ✓ Mandatory (2024) | Under consideration |
| Digital Passport | Recommended | ✓ Mandatory (2027+) |
Key Takeaway: AGEC is more stringent and came earlier. Complying with AGEC puts you ahead of future EU requirements. Many AGEC elements (like the destruction ban) are expected to become EU-wide regulations.
How Digital Product Passports Help with AGEC
While not mandatory under AGEC (yet), Digital Product Passports make compliance easier:
- Centralized traceability: Store all required info in one digital location
- Easy updates: Change content without reprinting labels
- QR code access: Consumers scan to see full compliance data
- Repair support: Link to repair manuals and spare parts
- Audit trail: Prove compliance to French authorities
AGEC-Compliant Digital Passports
TextilePassports includes dedicated fields for all AGEC-required traceability information. Automatically generate compliant QR codes and labels.
Get AGEC-Compliant Now →