France’s scoring system assessed
R3, a sustainability consultancy, and Bpifrance, a government innovation fund, have released a report on the implementation of the environmental scoring system that was introduced, on a voluntary basis, in January 2026. With input provided by sports retailer Decathlon, Made-in-France denim brand Atelier Tuffery and streetwear label Sessùn, along with Clear Fashion, a scoring app, and the French ready-to-wear federation, the report assesses the incentives and hurdles of the system and suggests seven recommendations.
The issue of collecting and managing data, especially for smaller brands, is seen as a deterrent to widespread adoption. All the more so, the authors point out, that there are currently two distinct frameworks that brands can use: the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) and the Ecobalyse calculator developed by French eco-transition agency ADEME.
The scoring system is nonetheless viewed as an effective tool to encourage the eco-design of products and to acquire a better understanding of how to reduce a product’s impact. The authors note that those brands and retailers that adopt the system early could gain recognition from consumers sensitive to environmental issues.
Among the seven recommendations suggested, the most critical issue the report highlights is the need to align methodologies and allow an open-source access to impact databases. Making the EU and French systems converge is also essential to the coherence and credibility of the scores. Consumer education is viewed as important to help shoppers understand the system and to help them make better buying decisions. The report suggests mobilising influencers and media to contribute to raising awareness and building confidence in the concept. Finally, it points out that the current scoring systems focus only on environmental factors and do not include social criteria such as working conditions.
Click here to download the report (in French).
