Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC)

[Updated May 11, 2026]

What. Aims at accelerating the change in production and consumption models to limit waste and preserve natural resources, biodiversity and climate.

When. Implemented in January 2023 (sales over 50M€) and updated in January 2024 (sales over 20M€ and over 20M concerned units sold nationally).

Products. Textile, apparel and leather goods, but also construction, building infrastructure, plastics, polymers, rubber, toys, motor vehicles, and any product involving refurbishing, recycling, repurposing, repair, etc.

Who. Gradually, all producers, importers, and dealers of waste-generating products and packaging.

Overview

The Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) enacted in France through Decree 2022-748, seeks to promote sustainable production and consumption, reduce waste and enhance environmental protection.

How does the regulation work?

• It establishes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for various industries and activities, requiring producers to register with eco-organizations and to pay eco-contributions.
• Decree no. 2022-748-AGEC of April 29, 2022, obliges all producers, importers and retailers of waste-generating products in France to promote the environmental qualities and characteristics of packaging and products to consumers.
• While the specific requirements vary across industries, non-compliance may result in a €15,000 penalty, and potential legal and reputational risks. A bonus/malus principle is applied to the compulsory contribution to the sector's eco-organization.

Key Thresholds & Dates (2026 View)

2024

• AGEC information obligations apply to companies with annual turnover above €20M and placing at least 20,000 units of concerned products on the French market per year.
• Separate collection of bio-waste becomes mandatory for all households and professionals nationwide.
• Repair bonus amounts are increased and eligibility conditions broadened.
• Biowaste: As of January 1, 2024, separate collection of bio-waste has been generalized to all professionals and households in accordance with EU requirements.
• Public Procurement: From July 1, 2024, government and local authorities must procure minimum quantities of reused or recycled goods to stimulate demand for circular products.

2025

• Thresholds are lowered: AGEC now applies to companies with annual turnover above €10M and placing at least 10,000 units of concerned products on the French market per year.
• Indices of Durability and Repair: The durability index introduced under AGEC began replacing the repairability index for some products in 2025 (rolling out to additional product categories). This provides consumers with clearer information on product longevity while incentivizing manufacturers to improve design.

2026

• No further threshold reductions have been adopted to date; the €10M / 10,000 units threshold remains applicable.
• AGEC implementation continues through sector-specific decrees and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, with enforcement increasingly operational.
• Eco-design and Microplastics: From January 1, 2026, the sale of cosmetic rinse-off products containing microplastics will be prohibited under AGEC-linked measures.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (REP): New REP schemes continue to roll out, including the REP for Professional Packaging, which launches its obligations on July 1, 2026. This expands producer accountability for end-of-life management of professional packaging waste.
• Repair Bonus & Spare Parts Information: The repair bonus program continues through 2027 to subsidize repairs for electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, and footwear. Obligations now include informing consumers about spare parts availability to support repair over replacement.
• Plastic, Reuse & Packaging Targets: AGEC’s multi-stage strategy for eliminating single-use plastics continues with phased reduction and reuse targets through 2040.

Zoom on Article 13, applicable to Apparel & Textile brands & manufacturers

Since April 2022, the law requires that brands with sales of over €50M trace all their products from the weaving or knitting stage to manufacturing. This means that all actors involved in the weaving/knitting, dyeing, printing and finishing stages shall be identified and localized, and that this information shall be made available to consumers via a dematerialized media (mobile app or website) for 2 years.

The information made available to consumers must include:

• traceability information of textile products (typically countries where the weaving, dyeing, printing, confection steps are performed)
• information on textile products recyclability
• information on the hazardous nature of textile products
• information on plastic microfiber pollution for garments composed of more than 50% synthetic fibers
• information on packaging where applicable

Other requirements for specific industries include: durability index for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), compostability information, precious and rare materials impact, recycled material percentages, renewable resource use in construction, clear labeling for reusable packaging, and mandatory consumer information for products with hazardous substances.

Apparel & Fashion | Key Thresholds & Dates (2026 View)

January 1, 2024

• AGEC obligations apply to apparel and fashion companies with annual turnover above €20M and placing at least 20,000 textile products on the French market each year.
• Mandatory separate collection of bio-waste applies to retail and logistics operations where relevant.
• Repair incentives for textiles are reinforced through expanded repair bonuses.

January 1, 2025

• Thresholds are lowered: AGEC now applies to apparel and fashion companies with annual turnover above €10M and placing at least 10,000 textile products on the French market annually.

2026

• Thresholds remain unchanged (€10M / 10,000 units).
• Enforcement and controls intensify, particularly around consumer information, end-of-life responsibility for textiles, and anti-waste obligations."