The term "?suremballage?" does not pack the National Packaging Council (NPC). Indeed, the association published a position paper at the beginning of August concerning "?l 'misuse of the word suremballage?".
The term overpackaging is commonly used in public debate to highlight the excessive use of packaging. While there is no official definition of the term, Wikipedia defines it as "?la unsustainable, but in some cases deemed necessary, practice of marketing products with packaging deemed excessive, given the environmental sensitivities of the market in which they are introduits?".
A definition that is not appropriate for the CNE since the organization recommends not using the word overpack, considering it to be a term "?réducteur?", "?flou?", or even "?trompeur?". The association calls for reference to the European texts that regulate packaging in order to analyse whether a package can be described as excessive in relation to its function.
"?Les marketers, for whom packaging is a cost, have been constantly optimising their packaging for more than 20 years, while naturally respecting the essential functions they must satisfy. If, however, packaging is analysed as excessive or even unnecessary, the CNE considers that its design must be immediately reviewed in order to be in line with the règlementations?" The CNE states in its position paper.
The French are increasingly sensitive to the environmental impact of packaging
According to a study published by the Pro Carton association in 2019, nine out of ten French consumers would like the government to adopt a law to oblige brands to specify the extent to which a product's packaging is environmentally friendly.
