---
title: "French Environmental Cost: Tips for Accurate Eco-Scores By October 2026"
description: What is France's new Eco-Score for fashion? Our essential tips to ensure accurate scores before the October 2026 deadline.
---

[Knowledge Hub — TrusTrace – Leading fashion supply chain traceability software ](https://trustrace.com/knowledge-hub)

# [French Environmental Cost: Tips for Accurate Eco-Scores By October 2026](https://trustrace.com/knowledge-hub/french-environmental-cost-tips-for-accurate-eco-scores-by-october-2026)

 Written by [Fabienne Hindré](https://trustrace.com/knowledge-hub/author/fabienne-hindré) | Sep 25, 2025 8:44:09 AM

Starting October 1, 2025, France’s [Eco-Score](https://affichage-environnemental.ademe.fr/en) – a lifecycle assessment-based environmental labeling system for textiles and clothing sold in France – will take effect. This is a direct result from the 2021 [Climate and Resilience Act](https://trustrace.com/knowledge-hub/the-french-climate-resilience-law-environmental-labelling-for-products?hsLang=en), and could shape the future of environmental labeling in fashion and apparel. Officially called “Environmental Cost” (Coût Environnemental), the policy is outlined in [Decree No. 2025-957.](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000052212871) It is designed to help consumers understand the true impact of fashion and textiles they buy.

If you’re an apparel [brand selling in France](https://trustrace.com/knowledge-hub/traceability-in-french-fashion-protecting-legacy-and-leading-the-way?hsLang=en), this matters. 

At [TrusTrace, we’re partnering with Peftrust®](https://trustrace.com/newsroom/trustrace-and-peftrust-team-up-to-strengthen-the-validity-of-product-environmental-footprint-pef-scores-and-offer-fashion-brands-a-complete-traceability-1706199315901?hsLang=en) to enable brands to act on environmental scoring and risk reduction at scale – while making reporting seamless. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you calculate accurate Eco-Scores for your products by October 2026. 

*[Image from ADEME](https://affichage-environnemental.ademe.fr/en) depicting the French environmental labelling scheme and how the scores are calculated (above).*

## **What is France’s Eco-Score for Fashion?** 

The **French Textile Environmental Cost** is an environmental labeling system for clothing and textile products sold in France. It gives each product a score that shows the environmental cost of production. The score considers effects throughout its lifecycle using data like carbon emissions, water use, chemicals, durability and [additional parameters from PEF](https://www.peftrust.com/2025/05/19/france-eco-score-for-textiles-now-official/) that are fashion-specific environmental impacts such as microfibers. 

The French government has built this system using Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) as the foundation, and the method, called [Ecobalyse](https://fabrique-numerique.gitbook.io/ecobalyse), is closely aligned with the [European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)](https://trustrace.com/solutions/product-environmental-footprint-pef?hsLang=en) standard.

## **Timeline and Target Group**

The labelling scheme comes into effect on October 1, 2025. Publishing an eco-score is, so far, voluntary, but the methodology is mandatory. But from October 1, 2026, [third parties will be able to publish the Eco‑Score](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000052212871) for an apparel product on the French market that lacks an eco-score.

If you publish an Eco-Score for an apparel or textile item, the data must go into the government’s declaration portal, [Ecobalyse](https://affichage-environnemental.ecobalyse.beta.gouv.fr/) along with the compulsory calculations. Once you choose to publish an Eco-Score or any ["green" claim](https://trustrace.com/solutions/product-claims?hsLang=en), you must do it correctly.

Even if you’re not based in France, you are still obligated to substantiate claims if your products are sold in France. The rule applies to any brand, importer, or distributor placing textile goods with eco-claims on the French market. 

One way to ease this process is using software like [TrusTrace and Peftrust®](https://trustrace.com/webinars/a-buyers-guide-to-assessing-environmental-footprint?hsLang=en)** **as they come with API integrations that automate your data into Ecobaylse and calculate the eco-score for you. 

*image illustrating a winter jacket and LCA with an EcoScore label (Source: Peftrust®)*** **

## **In and Out of Scope**

| ##### **Products in scope: ​** | ##### **​Out of scope:​** |
| --- | --- |
| - Any new garments or garments from remanufacturing operations placed on the French market for consumers by producers, importers, or brands (B2C). ​ | - Textiles not destined for Apparel, such as household items (curtains, bed linen, towels) - Single-use garments for safety purposes (eg. healthcare, laboratories)​ - Garments containing more than 20% fiber mass that are not part of the methodology (silk, leather, cashmere) or non-textile fibers (eg. lyocell) ​ - Garments containing electronic components​ - Footwear and accessories (bags, belts) - Second-hand garments |

## **Products with Existing Claims**

According to [Fashion Network’s analysis](https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/France-introduces-eco-score-labelling-for-fashion-starting-october-1,1762241.html), “all previous environmental scores displayed by brands that do not align with the new methodology will be considered non-compliant.” 

This means that any [environmental impact claims](https://trustrace.com/solutions/product-claims?hsLang=en)—such as carbon footprint, eco-design scores, production location, processes or sustainability ratings—must now be supported by the standardized methodology and database defined under France’s Environmental Cost (French Eco-Score) regulation**.** Brands continuing to use legacy claims that do not conform to the new rules in this market risk regulatory penalties in France.  

## **Why Accuracy and Primary Data Matter** 

Here’s where things get interesting: If you don’t have your own product data (primary data), the French Eco-Score will be calculated using industry averages. That means your product’s environmental impact could be seriously under- or overestimated. 

The average data model based on industry averages doesn’t reflect the real work many brands are doing to improve. To stand out, you need traceable, primary data. 

TrusTrace provides the traceability infrastructure that connects verified, real-world supply chain data to each product. We get brands the primary data they need to accurately reduce risks and improve supply chain impact. This ensures your Eco-Score is based on actual material flows and processes – not assumptions. 

## **WHAT If You Don’t Act?** 

According to the Decree, France grants brands a one-year grace period from October 1st, 2025 during which only brands may calculate and submit their Eco‑Scores. But from 2026, [third parties will be able to publish the Eco‑Score](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000052212871) for a product if the brand has not published theirs, even without needing brand approval. This makes it more important than ever to act early, ensure data accuracy, and control the narrative.   
   
In other words, if you're not in control of your own data, someone ***else*** could define your product’s environmental impact—accurately or not. 

This is a major risk. Not only could it damage your brand reputation, but it could also lead to unfair scores that don’t reflect your sustainability work. 

The better path? Own the process. 

 

## **Why TrusTrace + Peftrust****®**** Is the Right Move** 

In [partnership with Peftrust](https://trustrace.com/newsroom/trustrace-and-peftrust-team-up-to-strengthen-the-validity-of-product-environmental-footprint-pef-scores-and-offer-fashion-brands-a-complete-traceability-1706199315901?hsLang=en)**®**, we ensure that the data captured through TrusTrace is directly compatible with France’s official environmental cost methodology. Peftrust**®** provides the scoring engine that models environmental impact in line with the French regulation, using Ecobalyse and textile-specific indicators. 

Together, TrusTrace and Peftrust® support brands by enabling: 

- Access to supplier-specific, traceable data formatted for LCA modeling
- Calculation of scores that reflect real environmental impact**,** not industry estimates
- Seamless data transfer from supply chain to Peftrust**®**’s compliant scoring engine
- Readiness for API to France’s** **Ecobalyse declaration portal and future EU frameworks

By working with TrusTrace and Peftrust**®**, you’re building a foundation for future-proof eco-scoring compliance and brand trust. 

“The real advantage comes when brands turn environmental cost into a strength,” says Denby Royal, the Head of Sales from Peftrust®. “Together with TrusTrace, we provide trusted data that is verified, compliant, and traceable, so brands can own their claims early, before others define the story for them.”

 

## **Recommendations for Brands and Operators** 

If your brand sells into France or plans to, here’s how to prepare: 

- Map your supply chain from Tier 1 through raw material
- Start gathering primary data for materials, processes, and product details
- Engage with TrusTrace to automate supply chain data collection and validation
- Partner with Peftrust**® **to calculate your Eco-Score correctly
- Avoid generic estimates—own your product story with real impact data

** **

## **Final Thought: Lead with Facts – Not Assumptions** 

By using [TrusTrace](https://www.trustrace.com?hsLang=en) to trace products from raw material to finished goods, and leveraging Peftrust**®** for score generation, brands create a reliable foundation for eco-designing products – one that is fast, verifiable, scalable by design, and aligned with evolving regulatory standards. 

France’s Eco-Score is just the beginning. The EU is moving toward similar labeling systems—and customers are demanding more transparency. 

Don't leave your score – or your reputation – to chance. 

Want to learn more about how TrusTrace supports Eco-Score compliance?  
 We partner with leading brands to deliver traceability that will enable you to efficiently comply with Europe's Textile Labeling Schemes. [Contact Sales today.](https://trustrace.com/contact-sales?hsLang=en)

**  
*****Disclaimer:****  
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult legal professionals for guidance specific to your situation.*

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