Are you a producer, importer, distributor of manufactured products, a member of a charity or even a citizen in a precarious situation? Entry into force on 1^er january 2022 new provisions, including the ban on disposing of unsold non-food items, included in the act on combating waste and the circular economy of 10 february 2020 may concern you or interest you.

What is the law?

The Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Act of February 2020 provided for the application of provisions by 2023. As of 1^er january 2022, new measures will come into force to prevent a significant part of the EUR 280 million annual amount of unsold non-food products from being destroyed and causing up to 20 times more greenhouse gas emissions. The objective for 2022 is to reuse, reuse or recycle unsold non-food products.

The products concerned are:

• Electrical and electronic products.

• Textiles (clothes, shoes...).

• The furniture.

• Ink cartridges.

• Hygiene and childcare products.

• Food storage and cooking equipment.

• The awakening and leisure products.

• Books and school supplies.

Objectives and consequences

The products covered by these provisions should be donated as a matter of priority to charitable organizations in order to benefit individuals and families in precarious situations.

If these provisions are not complied with, the law provides for a fine of up to €15,000 by default and by legal person.