1. Packaging

This article includes the following sections: 

• 1.1 What is a Packaging ? – Defines a packaging and its role.
• 1.2 How to Identify Unique Packaging – Explains how to distinguish packaging. 
• 1.3 What Data is Needed for Packaging ? – Lists required fields for importing packaging data. 
• Example of Some Packaging Data – Shows a sample spreadsheet of packaging data.

 

1.1 What is packaging data and why does it matter?

Packaging data covers all the containers, bags, boxes, and wrapping materials that come with your products and reaches the end consumer.

This information is used for AGEC compliance — a legal requirement for brands selling in France to meet environmental regulations and reporting obligations.

Once the packaging has been imported into Fairly Made, you can associate it with several references (productRef).

💡 Tip: Set management rules to define default packaging references by product category. If links between productRef and packagingRefs are unclear, then be exhaustive and list all likely packagings used for RTW. The goal is to reflect what the customer may receive, online or in-store.

 

1.2 How to identify unique packaging

Each packaging in our system needs a unique identifier called a packagingRef — this is simply your internal code or reference for that specific packaging.

The key rule: If any packaging details differ, create a separate packagingRef. Even if two packages look similar, they need different references if they have different properties (like recycled content percentage or distribution channel).

Let's illustrate this with an example:

Consider a zipped coat (Product Reference: ZC-001) that uses different packaging depending on where it's sold:

packagingRef	type	channel	percentageRecycled
POLY03	POLYBAG	BOTH	70
DUST13	DUST BAG/POUCH	STORE	80
BOX01	SHOE BOX	E-COMMERCE	100

If you later get dust bags with 100% recycled content instead of 80%, you cannot reuse DUST13. You'd need to create a new reference (like DUST14) because the recycled percentage is different.

 

1.3 What data is needed for Packaging ?

This section details each field required when importing packaging data. Understanding these fields, their definitions, and their constraints is essential for a successful data import.

packagingRef ⭐️

Your internal code or reference for the packaging that makes it unique in our system (see 1.1).

• Format: Letters and numbers accepted

type ⭐️

Select the category of packaging from our predefined list (e.g., BOX, SHOPPING BAG, DUST BAG/POUCH).

• Where to find options: Taxonomy PACKAGING_TYPE 

channel ⭐️

Select where this packaging is used in your distribution: STORE, E-COMMERCE, or BOTH.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy CHANNEL

percentageRecycled ⭐️

The percentage of the recycled material in the packaging. Providing this information is a legal requirement under AGEC law.

• Rules & Constraints: Must be a number between 1 and 100.

ecoModulation ⭐️

Select the eco-modulation classification for this packaging from our predefined list.

Why this matters: France's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle requires companies selling textile products, household linen, and footwear to take responsibility for their packaging's environmental impact. Companies subject to EPR typically transfer these obligations to an eco-organization through a contract that includes a financial contribution (eco-contribution). The eco-modulation system then rewards companies for eco-design efforts or penalizes those making end-of-life management difficult, directly affecting your costs and compliance standing.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy PACKAGING_ECO_MODULATION
• Common default: NONE is commonly used as a default option

compostability ⭐️

Select whether the packaging can be composted according to AGEC law standards from our predefined list (YES - COMPOSTABLE, NO - 0, or N/A).

Why this matters: The AGEC law establishes strict criteria for what qualifies as compostable packaging. Only specific collection bags made of paper/cardboard or home-compostable plastics that are eligible for joint collection and recovery with source-sorted biowaste are considered compostable, as defined by the March 15, 2022 decree. This classification affects your environmental compliance reporting and determines whether your packaging can be marketed as compostable to consumers.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy COMPOSTABILITY
• Common default: NO - 0 is commonly used as a default option

recyclability ⭐️

Select whether the packaging meets AGEC recyclability criteria from our predefined list (YES - FULLY RECYCLING, YES - MOSTLY RECYCLING, NO - 0).

Why this matters: The AGEC law defines recyclability through five specific criteria that packaging must meet: efficient collection capability across territories through accessible collection points, effective sorting toward recycling channels, absence of elements that disrupt sorting or recycling processes, capacity for recycled material to represent more than 50% by weight of collected waste, and ability to be recycled at industrial scale with sufficient quality for sustainable market outlets. Eco-organizations must provide members with information to verify these criteria, while companies under individual systems bear this responsibility themselves.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy RECYCLABILITY
• Common default: YES - FULLY RECYCLING or YES - MOSTLY RECYCLING are commonly used as default options

possibilityReUse ⭐️

Select whether the packaging is designed for reuse according to AGEC standards from our predefined list (YES - REUSABLE, YES - REFILLABLE, NO - 0).

Why this matters: The AGEC law defines reusable packaging as containers designed to be used at least a second time in a non-cumulative manner. This includes packaging reused for the same original purpose with reuse organized by or on behalf of the producer, or packaging refilled at the point of sale as part of bulk sales, or refilled at home through a refill system organized by the producer. This classification affects your environmental compliance reporting.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy POSSIBILITY_OF_REUSE

hazardousSubstances ⭐️

Select whether the packaging contains hazardous substances as defined by REACH regulations from our predefined list.

Why this matters: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations establish a comprehensive list of substances that are restricted or require special handling due to their potential impact on human health and the environment. Declaring the presence or absence of these substances in your packaging is required under AGEC law and affects your compliance obligations, supply chain transparency, and consumer safety communications. This information is crucial for proper end-of-life management and recycling processes.

• Where to find options: Taxonomy PRESENCE_OF_HAZARDOUS_SUBSTANCES
• Reference: See ECHA substances list for complete hazardous substances definitions
• Common default: UNKNOWN is commonly used as a default option
  
  
  

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Example of some packaging data

Below is a short example showing what a portion of your import data might be like for a few packaging, illustrating some of the fields described above: