The Triman logo and sorting instructions in France
Initiatives such as the Green Deal and the plastic tax show that the European Union attaches great importance to environmental protection. A key element in this effort is the EU Packaging Directive, which aims to minimize the negative impact of growing packaging waste and support an effective circular economy in the member states. However, the implementation of this directive varies from country to country. In Germany, for example, this is regulated by the Packaging Act, while Austria has its own packaging ordinance. In France, one of the main requirements is the so-called labeling obligation. This obliges companies to label products and packaging that are ultimately disposed of in consumers’ households with the Triman logo. This regulation also applies to non-French online retailers who sell their goods to private customers in France. There have been changes to this labeling requirement since January 2021. What do you need to know about the French labeling obligation and what changes came into force at the beginning of 2021 and also in 2022? We have compiled all the relevant information for you below:
What is the French Triman logo?
The Triman logo is a French labeling system that aims to inform consumers about the correct disposal of products and packaging. It serves as a visual indication that the product and packaging must be disposed of separately to enable effective recycling. Producers, importers and sellers are obliged to provide additional information on proper disposal alongside the Triman logo. This makes it easier for consumers to properly separate and dispose of products and packaging, which in turn helps to promote an efficient circular economy.
The design of the Triman logo is made up of three elements:
- A figure representing the responsible consumer.
- Three arrows in the middle, which stand for separation and collection in the sense of improved waste recycling.
- A fine arrow in the background symbolizing the recycling process.
The sorting information as a supplement to the Triman logo
Since 1 January 2022, it has been mandatory for distributors of household packaging on the French market to start implementing the so-called sorting information.
According to this catalogue of requirements, all sales packaging must bear the Triman logo and sorting information specially developed for the French market from 9 September 2022. In addition to the country abbreviation for France (ideally supplemented by the abbreviation “FR” for sales outside France), these separation instructions also contain information on the individual packaging components and the corresponding separation containers. The presentation of the separation instructions can be in text form (in French), as a pictogram or in a combination of both, whereby strict country-specific presentation rules must be observed.
- In France, all non-glass packaging is usually disposed of in the “yellow bin”, while glass packaging must be disposed of in the green glass container. This simplifies labelling and separation for consumers.
- In the case of packaging with several components, these must be listed individually and categorised accordingly.
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These labelling regulations apply to all sales packaging distributed in France and affect both domestic and foreign distributors, regardless of the distribution channel. Exceptions to the new sorting information are:
Glass beverage containers
The Triman logo and the country-specific segregation information on the labelling of glass beverage containers is voluntary. If labels still have outdated markings, these must be updated by 9 March 2023 at the latest.
Small packaging units
For packaging smaller than 10 cm² without instructions for use or similar, the information about the Triman logo and the separation instructions must be available electronically (e.g. on the website, the product page in the online shop, etc.).
Packaging with a size of 10 to 20 cm² without instructions for use or similar must be labelled with the Triman logo, while the separation instructions must be available electronically (e.g. on the website, the product page in the online shop, etc.).
In the case of packaging up to 20 cm² that contains instructions for use or similar, both the Triman logo and the separation instructions must appear on this insert.
The labelling obligation is linked to a licensing obligation in France. The obligation to label and licence the sales packaging arises as soon as a single product is sold on the French market.
The prevention plan
The changes to the French law on extended producer responsibility (EPR) have resulted in new requirements: By 15 October 2023, it was necessary to submit a plan to the French dual system to reduce the environmental impact of your packaging. This plan will be reviewed for effectiveness every five years and updated if necessary. You have the option of joining a collective plan or creating an individual plan.
From 2024: Merging the DPR value chains for graphic paper and household packaging!
In the pursuit of a more efficient and environmentally friendly circular economy, France has decided to merge the value chains for graphic paper and household packaging from January 2024. This decision aims to create synergies and minimise the environmental impact of production and disposal.
What does this mean in concrete terms? An improved circular system that covers the entire life cycle of graphic paper and household packaging. From production to recycling – all under one sustainable roof. Thanks to this merger, we will be able to offer you support for the entire new sector, household packaging and graphic paper, under a single contract from January 2024.
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Download the Triman logo
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All summarized guidelines can be found in the following guide, which was published by the French system provider CITEO (recommendation: download the manual and save it so that you always have it to hand): To the manual
EPR systems for packaging in comparison: a country overview
In the EU, retailers and manufacturers who place products on the market are subject to certain environmental responsibilities. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a way of obliging companies to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products. This includes not only the product itself, but also all packaging and (product) components put into circulation that are disposed of by end consumers. The exact areas covered by the EPR vary from country to country. In this article, we take a look at the EPR in the area of packaging and shed light on what exactly the requirements mean, how they are implemented in practice and how the requirements differ from country to country within the EU.
When will Italy introduce the single-use plastic tax?
The introduction of the single-use plastic tax in Italy was originally planned for July 2020. It has now been postponed for the sixth time and is due to come into force on 1 July 2024. The tax aims to tax single-use packaging and plastic products. In this article, we explain what legal changes retailers can expect for their shipments to Italy as a result of the introduction of the tax.
EPR obligations in Poland: volume threshold and registration obligation
Since 13 June 2013, the handling of packaging waste in Poland has been regulated by the Act on Packaging and Packaging Waste Management (Journal of Laws 2019.542). Among other things, it sets out requirements for packaging, the handling of packaging waste and regulations regarding recycling fees. This means that companies in Poland are subject to extended producer responsibility (EPR). The EPR regulations are intended to ensure that companies take responsibility for the disposal of their packaging and thus contribute to the promotion of the circular economy. The EPR entails obligations regarding the handling of a company’s own products and packaging. In the following article, we shed light on what you need to consider as a retailer on the Polish market.