“Biodegradable” or “compostable”: when can you use these claims?

Short answer

In France, the word “biodegradable” is currently prohibited on a product or packaging. “Compostable” can be used in some circumstances, but the relevant composting environment and conditions matter; plastic products or packaging that are compostable only in industrial facilities cannot carry the French “compostable” claim. The 2026 EU rules also add restrictions on generic environmental claims.

France currently prohibits “biodegradable” on products and packaging

Article L.541-9-1 of the French Environmental Code prohibits the terms “biodegradable”, “environmentally friendly” and equivalent wording on products or packaging.

This is a France-specific rule that exists separately from Directive 2024/825. The French transposition bill is expected to change parts of the national framework but has not yet completed the legislative process.

A compostable claim should say where and under what conditions

Home composting and industrial composting operate under very different temperature, humidity and time conditions. Evidence from one setting should not be presented as though it automatically applies to the other.

Consumer-facing wording should make the relevant setting clear enough for a person to understand how the claimed property can actually be achieved.

France has a specific rule for plastics that compost only industrially

Plastic products and packaging whose compostability can only be achieved in an industrial facility cannot carry the “compostable” wording in France.

Additional consumer-information requirements may also apply to compostable plastics, so advertising and mandatory disposal information need to remain consistent.

From September 2026, the generic-claim test also matters

Directive 2024/825 lists “biodegradable” among examples of wording that can amount to a generic environmental claim. A clear and prominent specification on the same medium may take a statement outside that generic category.

That does not override a national prohibition. Making a claim more specific improves clarity; it does not neutralise a France-specific rule that still applies.

Pre-publication checklist

• Does the claim refer to the product, packaging or a component?
• Is the relevant setting home composting or industrial composting?
• Does the test method match the claimed environment?
• Can consumers understand the conditions required?
• Does a France-specific prohibition or mandatory label apply?
• Could the message suggest that the item can safely be discarded in the environment?

Primary sources

• French Environmental Code — Article L.541-9-1
• French practical guide to environmental claims — “Compostable”
• Directive (EU) 2024/825 — generic environmental claims
• France — current transposition bill

Related guides

• Can you still say “eco-friendly”, “green” or “sustainable” in 2026?
• What does “biobased” actually mean, and what evidence should support the claim?
• Can you call a product or its packaging “recyclable”?