France, as a leader in ecology and sustainable development, has introduced a mandatory symbol known as Triman for marking products and packaging. Under the AGEC law, this symbol is designed to help consumers sort waste properly, facilitating recycling.
What is Triman?
The Triman logo is a pictogram featuring a figure with three arrows, informing consumers about the need for proper product sorting. It must appear on all recyclable products and packaging intended for households in France. Exceptions include electronic products and those covered by other recovery systems, such as batteries or lamps.
General principles
Triman Logo
According to Article 17 of the AGEC law, sorting guidelines must accompany the Triman logo. If the Sorting Info design includes colors, Triman should always appear in black, unless readability is an issue. In that case, it can be placed within a white box. For monochrome Sorting Info, the Triman logo may match the Sorting Info color as long as it remains legible; otherwise, it should be black.
The TRIMAN marking must be monochromatic on a contrasting background: black on a light background or white on a dark background.
Requirements for the Triman logo:
- The logo must be visible, legible, and permanent.
- It should not be located in areas that are difficult for consumers to see during sorting.
- It must not be obscured, even partially, by other markings or images.
- The logo must not be crossed out.
Size and proportions:
- The recommended logo size is 1 cm.
- The minimum size is 0.6 cm, and the maximum size is 4 cm.
- A clear border around the logo should be maintained:
- The border thickness must be twice the arrow’s thickness.
- The background color of the border must match the logo’s background color.
Who is affected?
The Triman system applies to products and packaging intended for household use in France that are subject to sorting and recycling. Below is a detailed list of product categories requiring the Triman marking:
Products required to display the Triman logo:
- Furniture and interior elements:
- Cabinets, beds, mattresses, headboards.
- Items like head cushions, pillows, and duvets.
- Textiles:
- Rugs, curtains, macramé.
- Bedding, blankets, bedspreads.
- Consumer packaging:
- Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, food containers.
- Decorative and finishing items:
- Wall art, decorations.
- Curtain rods, blinds.
- Toys:
- Plush toys, puzzles, models, figurines.
- Outdoor toys and game tables (e.g., ping pong, billiards).
- Sports and recreational articles:
- Gardening tools, pots, grills.
- Electrical and electronic products:
- Household appliances, lighting, bulbs.
- Candles and fragrance diffusers:
- Products containing biocides or chemicals are subject to additional rules.
Why is it important?
The Triman system is a significant step toward improving recycling in Europe. It aims to raise consumer awareness, simplify waste sorting, and reduce landfill waste. With clear guidelines and standardization, manufacturers can better adapt their products to meet ecological requirements.
France serves as a role model for other countries, promoting a circular economy and responsible waste management practices.
Want to ensure your products comply with all French recycling regulations? Contact rcc.com.pl to learn how we can help you adapt to the new requirements!
