France: Environmental labelling scheme

Apeal Newsletter: "France has been pioneering an environmental labelling scheme for mass-market products. The “Grenelle I” law, passed in August 2009, states the right of consumers to accurate, objective and complete environmental information covering all aspects of the product and its packaging. An implementation law “Grenelle II” was voted at the end of June 2010 and brought about fundamental changes such as a switch from the mandatory nature of labelling to a voluntary scheme and a postponement of the start of the programme until 1 July 2011. A trial phase of at least one year will be implemented. The outcome of this will allow for a decision whether environmental labelling should be applied more generally."