There is a new requirement for products sold in France, which mandates the display of the Triman Logo, and sorting information on household packages. All packages should bear this label regardless of their recyclability. Cosmetic products fall under this requirement.

Timeline

This harmonised label providing sorting instructions (Sorting Info) is mandatory from 1 January 2022. However, there is an extended period until 15 June 2023 for marketers to sell existing stocks of packaging manufactured or imported before 9 September 2022.

Consequently, all previous marking (standard or customized) will no longer be permitted from 15 June 2023.

Requirement

All the packaging components that can be sorted separately after consumption must be shown separated by a + sign. Components can be represented by pictograms and text, by pictograms alone, or text alone. If packaging includes three components or more, you are permitted to use the standard phrase “éléments d'emballage" (i.e., packaging items). If you print a leaflet, don’t forget to sort it.

The Triman logo should not be smaller than 6mm (i.e., the compact minimum size). It must be printed in black and white, whereas the sorting advice can be either in color or in black and white. What is more, the Triman logo could be either horizontal or vertical.

Exceptions

The legislation mentions a few exceptions: glass beverage bottles and small packaging may be exempted or subject to slightly different labelling obligations.

• Packages with a surface area of the longest edge of less than 10 cm² without accompanying, documentation are exempt from sorting label and on-pack information obligations provided that corresponding information is available in electronic format.
• Packages with a surface area of the longest edge between 10 and 20 cm² without accompanying, documentation must carry the Triman logo but are exempt from on-pack information obligations provided that such information is available in electronic format.

More information on how the Triman Logo and sorting information should be designed can be found in CITEO’s guide. This guide provides all the information and guidelines you need to add the new mandatory harmonized sorting label to your household packaging. The aim is to provide your consumers with the information they need and ensure you are in compliance with the new regulatory requirements (Article 17 of the French AGEC Law and Decree no. 2021-835 of 29 June 2021).