Bulk and Reuse Network (RVR) welcomes the publication of the decree implementing article 23 of the Climate and Resilience law, adopted in 2021. After four years of waiting and two public consultations, the last of which in March 2025, the sector finally has a clear framework to accelerate the development of bulk sales.
Article 23 II of the Climate and Resilience Law requires that, as of January 1, 2030, retail businesses with a surface area greater than or equal to 400 square meters sell products presented without primary packaging, including bulk sales, i.e. at least 20% of their sales area of consumer products, either a device with equivalent effect expressed in number of references or in proportion to turnover. A decree was to specify the objectives to be achieved, according to product categories, health and safety requirements, specificities of distribution networks, in particular certain types of specialized businesses, as well as adaptations required in producers’ practices, distributors and consumers. This decree was published on November 21, 2025. For Célia Rennesson, director of Réseau Vrac et Réemploi, “we now have a decree which sets a clear framework for calculating the legal objective. However, we regret the 75% modulation applied to cosmetic products, detergents, alcoholic beverages and products sold in reusable packaging, provided for by the decree for the calculation of the total sales area, of total turnover and total number of references. We salute the significant effort that distributors are preparing to deploy by implementing ambitious solutions in what are now very short deadlines.. This effort, although substantial, is positive news : it will allow the effective deployment of bulk on the ground, will restore vigor to the entire sector and create the conditions for real commercial dynamics around the bulk offer. »
Develop bulk in medium and large areas
Concretely, this means expanding and making the bulk offer attractive, to set up communication and consumer recruitment campaigns, to build and deploy specific promotional plans, to train in-store teams, particularly on good hygiene and traceability practices for bulk sales. RVR says it is ready to support brands in this effort thanks to tools such as a legal guide to bulk sales, a guide to good hygiene practices for bulk sales written in collaboration with the FCD, as well as training adapted to the needs of brands.
New goal : businesses of less than 400 m²
Wanting to go further in the regulatory framework, RVR also sees “two emergencies to be addressed now”. Prepare now the report required by law to assess the achievement of the objectives set and introduce a scale of dissuasive and proportionate sanctions for businesses that do not respect their obligations. Launch the experimentation order for businesses of less than 400 m², which must open a three-year experiment in order to identify the conditions allowing the acceleration of the development of bulk in these businesses.
