In 2024, consumers will face significant changes in their shopping experience and protection, as measures are implemented to enhance information, security, and sustainability.

Enhanced Protection on Online Marketplaces:

Starting from February 17, 2024, new standards will require online marketplaces to strengthen their transparency. Under the European Digital Services Act (DSA), these changes aim to identify sellers, provide comprehensive product information, and ensure swift action in the case of recalls of hazardous products. The DGCCRF will lead in ensuring compliance and consumer protection.

Transition from Repairability Index to Sustainability Index:

It is undeniable that a sustainable, repairable, high-performance, scalable, and reliable product poses fewer risks of waste than its counterpart lacking these characteristics. However, for consumers to make informed choices during their purchases, adequate product information is crucial. This is precisely one of the goals set by the Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy (Agec) law adopted in 2020. This legislation planned several stages to achieve this goal.

The first phase, gradually initiated since 2021, imposed a repairability index for various product categories such as washing machines, smartphones, laptops, televisions, etc. In the form of a score from 0 to 10 and an assigned color, this index allows consumers, both in-store and online, to quickly understand the product’s repairability.

In 2024, a new stage is planned: the transformation of the repairability index into a sustainability index. This new indicator will add two additional criteria, product reliability and scalability, to repairability. The goal is twofold: to encourage manufacturers to prioritize product longevity and to encourage consumers to choose durable items while promoting repairability in case of malfunctions.

Food and Cosmetic Safety

Since January 1, food safety is now the exclusive responsibility of the DGAl (Ministry of Agriculture), ending the shared responsibility with the DGCCRF (Ministry of Economy). The DGCCRF retains its role in loyalty and combating fraud. The sanitary quality of water intended for human consumption remains under the responsibility of the Directorate General of Health (Ministry of Health).