June 17th 2024

When it comes to sustainable development, France is one of the most committed countries in the world. According to the Sustainable Development Report 2021, which assesses the performance of countries according to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) defined by the UN, France ranks second in the world, behind Finland. Among the areas where France excels, we can mention the fight against climate change, the protection of aquatic life and the reduction of raw material consumption.

The Plastic Act: a collective commitment to reduce plastic impact

These commitments are reflected in the French cosmetics sector, which represents a turnover of more than 15 billion euros and employs more than 250,000 people. French cosmetics companies are at the forefront of innovation and environmental responsibility, and offer quality products, respectful of health and the planet. Among the flagship initiatives of the sector, we can mention the Plastic Act, an ambitious program to reduce the impact of plastic on the environment.

What is the Plastic Act?

The Plastic Act is a voluntary initiative launched in 2019 by the Federation of Beauty Companies (FEBEA), which brings together more than 300 companies from the French cosmetics sector. It is a collective commitment to reduce the use of plastic in the packaging of beauty products, to promote recycling and to promote eco-design. The Plastic Act is in line with the anti-waste law for a circular economy (AGEC), adopted in 2020, which aims to limit the production of waste and to encourage its recovery.

What are its principles?

The signatories of the Plastic Act commit to respect four main principles:

• Not to use single-use plastic in the packaging of cosmetic products by 2025;
• Use at least 50% of recycled plastic in the packaging of cosmetic products by 2025;
• Achieve a recyclability rate of 100% of the packaging of cosmetic products by 2025;
• Develop sustainable alternatives to plastic, such as bio-based, biodegradable or compostable materials.

Who are the signatories of the Plastic Act?

The Plastic Act has already gathered more than 80 companies from the French cosmetics sector, which represent more than 90% of the market. Among them, we find large groups such as L'Oréal, LVMH, Chanel, Pierre Fabre or Shiseido, but also SMEs and innovative start-ups. All these companies share the same vision: to make France the world leader in sustainable beauty.

The Plastic Act: a set of tools and actions to support the transition

How does the Plastic Act work?

To implement the Plastic Act, the FEBEA has set up several tools and actions to support the signatory companies in their transition to more environmentally friendly packaging. Among these tools, we can mention:

• A practical guide on the eco-design of cosmetic packaging, which provides recommendations and good practices to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, while respecting the regulatory, functional and aesthetic constraints;
• A digital platform dedicated to the Plastic Act, which allows the signatory companies to monitor their progress, share their experiences and benefit from personalized support;
• A label "Plastic Act", which certifies that the products bearing this logo respect the commitments of the Plastic Act and are part of a responsible approach;
• Trainings, webinars, workshops and events to raise awareness among professionals in the cosmetics sector about the challenges of plastic and the existing or to be developed solutions.

Yielding results

Since its launch, the Plastic Act has achieved concrete and encouraging results for the French cosmetics sector. According to the first report published by the FEBEA in 2020, the signatory companies have already reduced the use of plastic in the packaging of cosmetic products by 4% between 2018 and 2019, saving more than 1,800 tons of plastic. They have also increased the share of recycled plastic in the packaging of cosmetic products by 5%, from 9% to 14% in one year. Finally, they have reached a recyclability rate of 87% of the packaging of cosmetic products, a 7-point increase from 2018.

Plastic Act success stories

These figures testify to the mobilization and creativity of French cosmetics companies, which have been able to adapt their production processes, innovate in materials and designs, and communicate with their customers about their commitments. Several examples of success can be cited, such as:

• The Nuxe skincare brand, which replaced plastic with glass for its prodigious oil bottles, reducing the carbon footprint of its packaging by 90%;
• The L'Oréal group, which launched in 2020 the first cosmetic tube based on cardboard, made from FSC-certified fibers, for its La Roche-Posay brand;
• The Clarins makeup brand, which developed a refillable lipstick, whose case is composed of 25% recycled plastic and 10% vegetable biomass;
• The Ho Karan start-up, which created a range of cosmetic products 100% bio-based, biodegradable and compostable, based on hemp, without any plastic.

The Plastic Act: a challenge and an opportunity for the French cosmetics sector

The Plastic Act is an exemplary and ambitious initiative, which shows that the French cosmetics sector is able to reinvent itself to meet the expectations of consumers and environmental challenges. But it is not an end in itself: the Plastic Act is a lever to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, where resources are preserved, waste is recovered and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

To achieve this, it is necessary to continue to innovate, cooperate and raise awareness. Innovate, by looking for new packaging solutions, more efficient, safer and more ecological. Cooperate, by involving all the actors of the value chain, from suppliers to distributors, through recyclers and public authorities. Raise awareness, by informing consumers about the gestures to adopt to sort and recycle their cosmetic packaging, and by making them discover the benefits of sustainable beauty.

The Plastic Act is therefore a unique opportunity for the French cosmetics sector to differentiate itself on the world market, by offering quality products, respectful of health and the planet. It is also an invitation to join a committed community, which shares the same values and the same vision: to make France the world leader in sustainable beauty.