The French Experience of Building a Closed-Loop Economy: The Legal Aspect

The object of this research is the political and legal foundations of the implementation of the principles of a closed economy in France. The aim is to develop proposals for improving Russian legislation on building a closed–loop economy (hereinafter referred to as the CLE). The comparative legal method was used in the research. Among the tasks set is to determine the genesis of the “closed–loop economy” category. The special relevance of the work was determined by the active formation of Russian legislation on building a circular economy. As a result of the research, the general international legal context of the implementation of the concept of a “closed-loop economy”, expressed in the goals of sustainable development, has been identified. A general description of the relevant legislative regulation in France is given. The most important provisions of the French Law 2020–105 of February 10, 2020 “On Combating Mismanagement and the Closed-loop Economy” (AGEC) are analyzed. An assessment is given of the French system of consumer reimbursement for the repair of certain types of goods, as well as measures aimed at the production and consumption of single-use plastic packaging. The central role of the institute of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in ensuring the construction of a closed-loop economy in France is noted and its main elements are characterized. Attention is drawn to a significant number of manufacturing industries in this country that fall under the extended producer responsibility system, as well as to the creation of special eco-organizations that collect financial contributions from business entities in order to implement projects to reduce waste generation, sort and dispose of it. The experience of French cities in attracting such organizations to eliminate unauthorized landfills is studied. The conclusion is drawn : the success of the implementation of individual measures to build a closed-loop economy largely depends on the choice of optimal legal forms of assistance to the development of CLE. The results of the study showed that one of the main such forms is the extended responsibility of the manufacturer.