The Autorité de la concurrence, France's competition authority, has reiterated its dedication to supporting the transition to a sustainable economy as COP30 concludes. Since 2020, the authority has actively engaged in enforcement, advisory, and merger control roles to address sustainability concerns.

During COP30, the Autorité welcomed the International Chamber of Commerce's call to action, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in competition law and efficient market functioning. The authority has taken significant steps to sanction companies that engage in practices detrimental to both competition and sustainability.

Notable enforcement actions include fines against leading manufacturers of PVC and linoleum flooring for not competing on environmental performance, and sanctions against professional organizations for colluding to boycott digital platforms aimed at improving transport efficiency. The Autorité has also addressed issues related to Bisphenol A in food containers through collective strategies among canning associations.

In its advisory capacity, the Autorité assists public authorities in evaluating draft legislation that may raise competition concerns while considering sustainability. It has conducted sector inquiries and issued opinions on various topics, including extended producer responsibility schemes and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

In merger control, the Autorité ensures that transactions do not harm competition or stifle innovation, particularly in markets related to sustainability. It has examined specific markets for hydrogen production and organic products, considering environmental efficiency in its analyses.

The Autorité maintains an “open door” policy, allowing stakeholders with sustainability projects to seek informal guidance on compliance with competition rules. This initiative aims to facilitate the development of sustainable projects while adhering to competition law.