France Approved Decree to Amend the Prohibition of Certain Plastic Products (Summary of French Plastic Bans)
On 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Ecological Transition of France has approved and published Decree No. 2020-1828 to amend the prohibition of certain single-use plastic products. It shall already enter into force on 1 January 2021. The followings are the highlight:
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The prohibition on single-use plastic products shall also apply to plastic products that exhibit durability, resistance and solidity comparable to those of single-use products.
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After 3 July 2021, the prohibition on single-use plastic products shall also apply to packaging.
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The single-use plastic products, which are manufactured or imported before 1 January 2021 and the prohibition date of that kind of plastic products is 1 January 2021, are allowed to have stock flow until 1 July 2021, except single-use plastic products do not benefit from this period.
Since 2015, a series of regulations prohibiting on certain plastic products have been published in France, following is a summary of the French key prohibition on plastic products:
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Application Date
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Prohibition on plastic products
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Note
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Regulation
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18 August 2015
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Packaging or bags made wholly or partly from oxo-fragmentable plastic.
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Law No. 2015-992
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1 January 2016
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Single-use plastic checkout bags intended for packaging goods at the point of sale.
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Law No. 2015-992
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1 July 2016
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Single-use plastic checkout bags with a thickness of less than 50 micrometers supplied to consumers in the points of sale of goods or products.
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Decree No. 2016-379
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1 January 2017
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1. Single-use plastic bags intended for packaging goods at the point of sale other than checkout bags. (except compostable bags in domestic composting and made, in whole or in part, of bio-based materials. The minimum bio-based content is 50% from 1 January 2020, 60% from 1 January 2025).
2. Non-biodegradable and non-compostable plastic packaging in home composting for sending the press and addressed or unaddressed advertising.
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Law No. 2015-992
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1 January 2018
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Rinsed cosmetic products for exfoliation or cleaning use containing solid plastic particles, with the exception of particles of natural origin.
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Law No. 2016-1087 & Decree No. 2017-291 & Law No. 2020-105 (French AGEC law)
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1 January 2020
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1. Cotton buds for household use with a plastic stem. (expect the devices defined in Articles L. 5211-1 and L. 5221-1 of the Public Health Code)
2. Single-use plastic, except packaging: cups, goblets (Note i) and disposable kitchen plates used on table (Note ii) in plastic material. (except those compostable in domestic composting and made, in whole or in part, of bio-based materials. The minimum bio-based content is 50% from 1 January 2020, 60% from 1 January 2025).
3. Single-use plastic, except packaging: straws (Note iii), cutlery (Note iv), steak sticks, disposable glass lids, meal trays, ice cream pots, salad bowls and boxes, and mixing sticks for drinks in plastic material.
4. Plastic water bottles provided in school collective catering services.
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Note i. Cups, goblets: cups, goblets made entirely of plastic.
Note ii: Disposable kitchen plates used on table: plates made entirely of plastic.
Note iii. Straws: except those falling within the scope of Directive 90/385/EEC or Directive 93/42/EEC.
Note iv. Cutlery: forks, knives, spoons and chopsticks.
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1. Law No. 2016-1087 & Decree No. 2017-291
2. Law No. 2015-992 & Decree No. 2016-1170 & Decree No. 2019-1451
3. Decree No. 2019-1451
4. Law No. 2018-938
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1 January 2021
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1. Straws (except those intended to be used for medical purposes), plastic confetti, steak sticks, disposable glass lids, plates (including those comprising a plastic film), cutlery, mixing sticks for drinks, expanded polystyrene containers or receptacles intended for consumption on the spot or on-the-go, expanded polystyrene beverage containers, supporting rods for balloons and their mechanisms (Note i). (Note to Point 1: compostable and/or bio-based products are also under prohibition). 2. Products made from oxo-degradable plastic.
3. Free distribution of plastic bottles containing drinks in establishments open to the public and in premises for professional use.
4. Contractual clauses ordering the supply or use of single-use plastic bottles in festive, cultural or sporting events.
5. Extend the prohibition to:
(1) For cups, goblets: cups and goblets made in whole or in part of expanded polystyrene, including their closure and lids;
(2) For disposable kitchen plates used on table: plates made partially of plastic, including with plastic film;
(3) For cutlery: any other table utensil used for removing, cutting or mixing food, similar to forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks.
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Note i. Rods and mechanisms: excepts those intended for industrial or professional uses and applications and not intended for distribution to consumers.
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1-4. Law No. 2020-105 (French AGEC law)
5. Decree No. 2020-1828
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3 July 2021
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Extend the prohibition to: (1) For cups, goblets: cups and goblets that partially composed of plastic, with a content greater than maximum content fixed by a decree specifying the maximum authorized plastic content;
(2) The packaging of single-use plastic products: cups, goblets and disposable kitchen plates used on table, straws, cutlery, steak sticks, disposable glass lids, meal trays, ice cream pots, salad bowls and boxes, and mixing sticks for drinks;
(3) The packaging of cotton buds for household use with a plastic stem.
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Decree No. 2020-1828
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1 January 2022
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1. Non-biodegradable plastic tea bags and herbal tea bags.
2. Exhibiting for sale unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables with packaging, made up for all or part of plastic (Note i).
3. Provision of plastic toys free of charge in children's menus.
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Note i. Except fruits and vegetables packaged in batches of 1.5 kilograms or more, as well as to fruits and vegetables posing a risk of deterioration when sold in bulk.
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Law No. 2020-105 (French AGEC law)
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1 January 2023
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Disposable cups, including their closure and lids, plates, containers, cutlery in catering establishments.
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Law No. 2020-105 (French AGEC law)
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1 January 2025
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1. Plastic food container for cooking, reheating and serving in collective catering services of schools and universities as well as establishments hosting children under six years old.
2. Plastic food containers for cooking, reheating and serving in pediatric, obstetrical and maternity departments, local perinatal centers and other services.
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1. Law No. 2018-938
2. Law No. 2020-105 (French AGEC law)
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1 January 2028
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Plastic food container for cooking, reheating and serving in collective catering services of schools and universities as well as establishments hosting children under six years old, for local authorities counting less than 2000 inhabitants.
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Law No. 2018-938
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