The implementation of the law on the fight against waste and the circular economy (AGEC) of February 10, 2020 began in January 2021, with significant implications for various sectors, including cosmetics. This legislation has repercussions on several scales in this area.
What is the AGEC law?
The AGEC law aims to accelerate a major ecological transition by addressing various aspects such as the saving of resources, raw materials, energy, water, the reduction of waste and their reuse. Made up of 130 articles, 29 of which are specifically dedicated to the cosmetics sector, it seeks to promote more sustainable practices in this area.
The anti-waste law is structured around five major issues :
- Get rid of disposable plastic
- Better inform the consumer
- Fight against waste and for solidarity reuse
- Acting against planned obsolescence
- Produce better
Prevention and management of waste production.
According to article 7 of the AGEC law, single-use plastic packaging aims to disappear by 2040, with the objective of recycling 100% of plastic packaging by 2025. For the childcare and hygiene, including cosmetic products, the law imposes obligations for the management of unsold goods, favoring the three Rs: Reuse (donation), Reuse, and Recycling . Furthermore, the destruction of unsold items is prohibited.
The AGEC law encourages manufacturers to rethink the way they design packaging in a more sustainable and responsible way. This is why nowadays, companies are increasingly turning to the manufacture of refills in order to limit the consumption of single-use plastic.
And the consumer in all this?
The AGEC law aims to improve consumer information on the cosmetic products they purchase. Manufacturers and importers of cosmetic products are required to specify whether raw materials are recycled, compostability, recyclability, reuse options, as well as the presence of substances of concern or hazardous substances. This information must be accessible to the consumer via labeling, marking, or any other appropriate means.
Today Mamik supports consumers in reducing the use of disposable packaging. To do this, we manufacture durable and eco-responsible containers entirely made in France!