Packaging management: PLM beCPG helps you implement the AGEC french law

Published on February 11, 2020, the AGEC law concerning the fight against waste and the circular economy sets new objectives regarding packaging that are marketed in France. The agri-food sector is greatly affected by the provisions of this law. It must address several major challenges such as improving consumer information on the ecological impact of purchased products.

To more effectively address these challenges, the PLM beCPG offers various features to improve the management of your packaging.

This tool centralizes data on your packaging to better analyze their environmental impact. The goal is to promote eco-design by integrating environmental criteria from the design phase.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PACKAGING IN PLM BECPG

Article 13 of the AGEC law aims to improve consumer information. Market operators must therefore communicate the environmental qualities and characteristics of packaging.

Compostability, recyclability, and reusability of packaging

In beCPG, you can indicate these elements in the “Packaging recycling process type” field. This field is part of the “Sorting and marking” section of the packaging or even the finished product. In the same section, there are Bonus sorting and Malus sorting fields. These fields allow, in particular, storing information on bonuses and penalties paid by the producer to their eco-organization.

Incorporation of recycled materials

The list of materials comprising the packaging aims to indicate the percentage of incorporation as well as the type of material involved.

Presence of a hazardous substance

Information on the presence of a hazardous substance is mandatory when the substance is present at a level of 0.1% (by mass) of the packaging. In beCPG, it is possible to provide information on the substance and its quantity in the list of ingredients composing the packaging.

Presence of an endocrine disruptor (ED)

Information on the presence of ED is mandatory when the substance is present at a level of 0.1% (by mass) of the foodstuff or packaging. In beCPG, the list of ingredients displays the EDs brought by the packaging or raw materials. The quantity of the substance in question must be provided for calculation.

Furthermore, the hazardous substances as well as the EDs provided will be automatically integrated into a dedicated list of “Concerning Substances”.

Based on all this data on the environmental qualities and characteristics of your products, it is possible to calculate a number of mentions within the “Claims” list:

• “Packaging containing at least [x%] recycled materials”
• “Mainly recyclable packaging”, “Fully recyclable packaging”
• “Compostable packaging”
• “Reusable packaging”
• “Packaging without SVHC > 0.1% m/m”
• “Packaging without dangerous substances > 0.1% m/m”
• “Packaging without endocrine disruptors”

Moreover, you will find these mentions on the finished product sheet.

SORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Article 17 of the AGEC law redefines the rules for information on sorting instructions. In other words, the Triman logo and the “Info-tri” inform the consumer about the sorting methods for packaging. This mandatory labeling must appear on all products (recyclable or not) placed on the market. You will find detailed information on this labeling in the CITEO guide (see press release on sorting information).

In beCPG, it is possible to store information related to sorting instructions within the “Sorting and marking” section of the packaging or the finished product.

INTEGRATION OF PACKAGING ECODESIGN

In general, the AGEC law encourages market operators to consider the environmental aspects of their products. Consequently, measures must be adopted to reduce environmental impact, promote recycling and waste valorization, and contribute to the transition toward a more circular and sustainable economy.

Analyzing environmental impact based on several criteria at all stages of the product life cycle thus becomes essential for developing the most effective eco-design strategy possible. To do this, the AGEC law encourages the use of the life cycle analysis (LCA) method.

Within the PLM beCPG, you can configure lists of LCA values and characteristics (e.g., Climate change, eqCO2) that could be added to raw material and packaging models, integrate calculation rules, and calculate a score.

MANAGEMENT OF END-OF-LIFE PACKAGING (CITEO EXPORT)

To better meet their responsibility in terms of end-of-life product management, producers adhere to an eco-organization such as CITEO. In the PLM beCPG, you have the possibility to export the various data necessary for declaring your packaging to CITEO.