The AGEC Act and changes for 2025 

💚A strong commitment to reusing household packaging

As mentioned above, the reuse of household packaging, although still in its infancy (currently 1%), is a major focus of the AGEC law. As the target of 5% by 2023 has not yet been met, 2025 will be crucial for stepping up efforts. Citeo's funding and initiatives, with €33 million invested in 144 projects by 2023 and a target of 30 million reusable packaging units by 2025, demonstrate its determination to step up the pace. Large-scale retailers over 200 m² in size will also have to prepare to take back reusable packaging by January 1, 2028, which will involve significant adaptations to logistics and points of sale.

❇️L Durability index and repair bonus: Tools for the consumer

The AGEC law introduced thereparability index, mandatory since 2021 for products such as smartphones and household appliances, rating products on a scale of 0 to 10. From January 2025, this index will be supplemented by a durability index, covering a wider range of product categories and providing even more comprehensive information on the longevity and robustness of items.

At the same time, the repair bonus, introduced in December 2022, was marked by an increase in the amounts allocated to encourage consumers to have their appliances repaired rather than replaced. These schemes aim to transform the purchasing reflex and enhance the value of repair.

❗The expansion of EPR channels and obligations for companies

The year 2025 will see a significant expansion of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) channels. New product categories will be concerned, including DIY items, toys, sports equipment, oils and sanitary textiles. This means that manufacturers and distributors of these products will now be responsible for managing their end-of-life.

A major obligation, already in force since 2022 for certain products, will be extended to all non-food unsold products from 2025: the ban on destroying them and the obligation to reuse, recycle or recover them. What's more, the public sector will also be called upon to contribute, with an obligation to include 20% reused/recycled products in its contracts from 2024. These measures represent both challenges and opportunities for companies to innovate their business models.

💢A contrasting mid-term review: challenges and advances

Despite the stated ambitions, the mid-term review of the AGEC law shows contrasting results. Between 2018 and 2021, volumes of single-use plastic packaging actually increased by +3%, a figure that runs counter to the -20% target.

Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that France is recognized as a European leader in the fight against programmed obsolescence, thanks in particular to the reparability index, the repair bonus and eco-design initiatives.

📈 Investment levers for a circular economy

The transition to a circular economy is not just a regulatory constraint; it is also a vector for innovation and investment. EPR sectors offer opportunities to develop new value chains. With 40 to 50 patents filed per year in France since 2010, recycling-related patents testify to active research in this field, even if France lags slightly behind the European average (0.4 patents/inhabitant vs. 0.46/inhabitant in the EU).

For companies, there are many levers for action: eco-design of products, optimization of manufacturing processes to reduce waste, integration of reuse and repair into service models, and investment in innovative recycling technologies.

☁️Le link between waste and GHG emissions

In the context of the low-carbon transition, it is essential to remember the close link between waste management and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The AGEC law, although focused on the circular economy, also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of businesses and local authorities.

Waste, particularly that associated with single-use products and plastic packaging, generates emissions at every stage of its life cycle: extraction of raw materials, production, distribution, use and end-of-life (incineration, landfill or recycling). In France, the waste sector accounts for around 3% of national GHG emissions.

• Reusing a glass bottle avoids up to 79% less CO₂ emissions compared to a single-use bottle.
• Opting for a refurbished laptop saves around 27 kg of CO₂ equivalent every year. This choice also helps preserve natural resources, avoiding the extraction of 127 kg of raw materials and reducing the production of electronic waste by 314 grams per year.

Source: ADEME

In other words, the levers activated by the AGEC law are also levers for carbon neutrality. This is why they must be combined with the regulatory GHG assessment (ex-Bilan Carbone®), which is mandatory for many companies, in order to fully integrate the circular logic into the climate strategy.

In 2025, the AGEC law marks a decisive turning point, intensifying the pressure for a circular economy in France. Despite persistent challenges, notably the reduction of plastic packaging, new obligations in terms of reuse, repair and the extension of EPR channels are transforming the economic landscape. These developments represent much more than a constraint: they are a major strategic opportunity. For companies, now is the time to invest in eco-design, to integrate reuse and repair, and to innovate in more sustainable business models.

To navigate this complex transition and turn it into a competitive lever, partners like Global Climate Initiatives offer turnkey solutions, from training to strategic support, to effectively decarbonize and build a sustainable low-carbon strategy. It's time for concrete action and innovation to turn these challenges into successes.