Sustainability, circular economy and environment
The table below summarises the most recent publications regarding the environment, circular economy, and sustainability (non-exhaustive):
| Entity | Date | Publication |
| European Commission | 05/07/2023 | Factsheet – EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles
The EU Strategy looks at the entire lifecycle of textile products and proposes coordinated actions to change how we produce and consume textiles within the context of the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the European industrial strategy. |
| The French Ministry of Ecological Transition | 09/07/2023 | Draft decree laying down various provisions relating to funds dedicated to financing the repair of products falling under the principle of extended producer responsibility |
| The French Ministry of Ecological Transition | 09/07/2023 | Draft decree laying down various provisions relating to funds dedicated to financing the repair, reuse and reuse of products falling under the principle of extended producer responsibility |
| The French Packaging Council – the CNE | 17/07/2023 | Practical information: Packaging…What for? Packaging, part of the anti-waste arsenal
The Conseil national de l’Emballage (CNE, the French Packaging Council) made available a document which states that fair packaging is one of the most effective assets in terms of preventing product waste and loss, and their consequences. |
| Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge | 19/07/2023 | Correction of errata of Order TED/646/2023, of June 9, establishes the criteria for determining when thermoplastic waste subjected to mechanical treatments and intended for the manufacture of plastic products ceases to be waste in accordance with the Law 7/2022, of April 8, on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy. |
| The French Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion | 22/07/2023 | Order of July 20, 2023 relating to the packaging of products likely to be consumed or used by households and professionals engaged in a catering activity and the packaging of products consumed or used specifically by professionals engaged in a catering activity.
The implementation of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) sector for packaging used to market products consumed or used by professionals with a catering activity, provided for by law no. 2020-105 of February 10, 2020 relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy, requires that the packaging used by this new sector is defined. This decree defines the characteristics of catering packaging, packaging considered to be intended specifically for professionals carrying out catering activities. It shall come into force on January 1, 2024. |
| The French Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion | 30/07/2023 | Order of July 20, 2023 lays down specifications for eco-organisations, individual systems and coordinating organisations of the extended responsibility sector of packaging producers used to market products consumed or used by professionals carrying out a catering activity and carrying modification of the amended decree of November 29, 2016 relating to the approval procedure and laying down specifications for eco-organisations in the household packaging sector.
It shall come into force on January 1, 2024. |
| The French Ministry of Ecological Transition | 20/08/2023 | Draft decree amending the decree of December 12, 2022 relating to data from extended producer responsibility (EPR) sectors |
| The French Packaging Council – the CNE | 05/09/2023 | Environmental claims on product packaging: French Packaging Council Views and Recommendations June 2023 Edition
The French Packaging Council published a document regarding environmental claims. The aim is to help companies draw up environmental information on their packaging and to act as a watchdog for any environmental claims that do not comply with regulations or good practice. |
New requirements for batteries
On 28 July 2023, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC.
This regulation lays down requirements on sustainability, safety, labelling, marking and information to allow batteries to put on the market or into service within the European Union. It also stipulates the minimum requirements for extended producer responsibility, collection and treatment of waste batteries, and reporting.
It applies to all categories of batteries, including portable batteries; starting, lighting and ignition batteries (SLI batteries); light means of transport batteries (LMT batteries); electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, design, material composition, chemistry, use or purpose. It shall also apply to batteries that are incorporated into or added to products or which are specifically designed to be incorporated into or added to products.
The Regulation entered into force on 17 August 2023, and it shall apply from 18 February 2024 with the following provisions:
- Conformity assessment procedures shall apply from 18 August 2024.
- Management of waste batteries shall apply from 18 August 2025.
- Removability and replaceability of portable batteries and LMT batteries shall apply from 18 February 2027.
Directive 2006/66/EC shall be repealed on 18 August 2025. However, the following provisions shall continue to apply as set out below:
- Removal of waste batteries and accumulators until 18 February 2027.
- Treatment and recycling until 31 December 2025, except as regards the provision for transmission of data to the Commission, which shall continue to apply until 30 June 2027.
- Labelling until 18 August 2026.
Several Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care Laboratories Awarded Ecovadis Certification
The EcoVadis certification enables companies to measure their environmental, social and ethical impact according to CSR guidelines.
Several of the laboratories within the Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care network have recently been awarded EcoVadis gold, silver or bronze medals, indicating their commitment to corporate social responsibility.
We are extremely proud that our commitments to the environment, sustainability, ethics and equality are recognised, as it is a consistent priority for all of our teams, as we work to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals and to contribute to the health and safety of our world.
Find out more about our commitments
Mandatory and harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles
In July 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive.
In this proposal, the Commission proposes rules to make producers responsible for the full lifecycle of textile products and the development of the separate collection, sorting, reuse and recycling sector for textiles in the European Union.
The main points concerning textiles are as follows:
- Introduce mandatory and harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles in all EU Member States.
- Incentives to reduce waste and increase the circularity of textile products.
- The producers’ contributions will finance investments into separate collection, sorting, re-use and recycling capacities.
- Promote research and development into innovative technologies.
- Stopping illegal exports of textile waste to countries ill-equipped to manage it.
- Clarify what constitutes waste and what is considered reusable textile, to stop the practice of exported waste disguised as being for reuse.
The next step in the ordinary legislative procedure is a revision by the European Parliament and the Council.
For more information, consult the European Commission website here.
