EU sues France for telling people how to recycle

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🗞️ Driving the news: The European Commission has filed a lawsuit against France at the Court of Justice of the EU over its mandatory recycling labels, arguing they breach single market rules
• France’s “Triman” and “Info-tri” labels — required on packaging, textiles, electronics and other goods since 2022 — aim to guide citizens on proper waste sorting
• Brussels contends these national requirements unfairly hinder the free movement of goods and impose disproportionate costs on businesses

🔭 The context: France introduced the labels as part of its ambitious circular economy laws, often exceeding EU-wide requirements — a practice known as “gold-plating” 
• However, the EU adopted harmonised packaging labelling rules in 2024, with compliance not mandatory until August 2028
• The Commission issued two formal warnings to Paris in 2023 and 2024, claiming France’s unilateral approach undermines the single market by forcing producers to tailor packaging for one country

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Clear, standardised recycling information is key to improving sorting rates and reducing landfill
• Yet diverging national schemes can fragment efforts and discourage compliance, particularly among cross-border businesses
• The lawsuit underscores the challenge of balancing national environmental ambition with EU-wide policy coherence — vital for scaling circular economy practices sustainably and efficiently

⏭️ What's next: France must now defend its position before the EU’s top court, a process likely to stretch into 2026
• The French government has signalled it plans to align its laws with the EU packaging regulation by the 2028 deadline but intends to maintain the Triman logo until then
• The court’s eventual ruling could set a precedent on how far member states can go beyond EU standards without breaching single market rules — influencing both national policymaking and corporate strategies across the bloc

💬 One quote: “Over the years, the Triman logo has inflicted a disproportionate impact on European companies, incurring costs to modify the artwork on their packaging for the French market.” — Francesca Stevens, Secretary General, Europen

📈 One stat: France was formally warned twice by the Commission — in February 2023 and November 2024 — before legal proceedings were initiated

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