🧭 Context
The TRIMAN signage is a key regulatory measure to inform consumers about the presence of a collection and sorting system applicable to a product, packaging, or equipment.
It complies with a legal requirement to enhance the visibility of sorting instructions, improve selective collection, and optimize recycling, within the framework of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems.
For Ecomaison, this signage is an essential tool for ensuring the compliance of member producers and distributors, as well as providing clear information to consumers about sorting habits.
📌 Objective
Ensure that marketers fulfill their obligation to correctly apply the TRIMAN signage along with appropriate sorting instructions. This allows:
Making sorting at the source easier for consumers,
Ensuring proper waste management and compliance with EPR systems,
Reducing the risks of penalties for non-compliance,
Contributing to transparency and environmental efficiency of the system.
🧩 Application Details
Scope:
The TRIMAN signage applies to all products, packaging, and equipment subject to an EPR system, including household packaging, paper, electrical and electronic equipment, furniture, textiles, toys, etc.
The Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC) requires manufacturers to display, for each new product subject to a recycling system, the details of sorting rules.
Display Requirements:
The signage must be visible on the product, packaging, or associated documentation. It helps identify items that need to be sorted for recycling.
Sorting instructions must be clearly indicated and tailored to the specificities of the concerned products.
Location of the signage : The TRIMAN must be placed as close to the product as possible. It is recommended to place it directly on the item, as consumers do not keep packaging indefinitely. The goal: for this signage to be convenient and encourage action.
📸Example of TRIMAN Visual
Explanation from left to right:
Logo Triman :
This logo is mandatory and inseparable
from the marking.Human figure with circular arrow symbolizing the sorting gesture.
3 arrows symbolizing sorting
FR:
Country where the instructions apply
The message: here "Donate or Recycle"
It must direct the consumer to the 2 possibilities for disposing of their products: donating or recycling.
Donation: to promote product durability
Recycling to move towards zero waste
Sorting instructions: "Organization or store or recycling center"
Consumers must be presented with solutions that allow giving old products a second life.
Donation to social and solidarity economy associations;
Deposit in textile containers, specific to curtains and sheers;
Return to the store or upon delivery, under certain size or store turnover conditions;
Deposit at a recycling center
Reference to ADEME's website:
This ADEME search engine, dedicated to individuals, presents all sorting solutions and the location of collection points for each type of waste.
This mention is mandatory.
Mandatory sorting instructions:
The pictogram must be accompanied by clear and understandable sorting instructions tailored to the local system (e.g., "Dispose of in the recycling bin," "Return to store").
Updates and Evolutions:
Members must ensure that the signage and instructions remain compliant with regulatory changes and local sorting guidelines.
Responsibilities:
Marketers are responsible for compliance. Non-compliance may result in penalties.
Exceptions and Special Conditions:
Mandatory dematerialization: If the area of the largest side of a product or its packaging is less than 10 cm², the TRIMAN signage and sorting information can be entirely dematerialized. In such cases, information must be provided through other means, such as a website, a QR code accessible on the packaging, or other appropriate digital media.
Adaptation for complex shapes: For products or packaging with cylindrical or spherical shapes, where signage is difficult to apply, the minimum required area is increased to 20 and 40 cm² or more to enable display or dematerialization.
During dematerialization, sorting instructions must be easily accessible through clear directions to a site or dedicated platform.
Download TRIMAN signage per sector:
For your furniture products: Download Furniture TRIMAN Signage
For your DIY/Garden and Toys products: Download DIY/Garden and Toys TRIMAN Signage
📚 Important Details to Know
Regulatory References:
Articles L.541-10 and R.543-220 and subsequent from the Environmental Code.
Decree of 10 August 2011 regarding TRIMAN signage and its updates.
Graphic Characteristics:
Green pictogram on white background, minimum size adapted to the surface.
Sorting instructions immediately associated with the pictogram.
Exceptions and Specific Cases:
For bundled products, signage can be applied to the collective packaging if the products are not individualized.
In cases of very small surfaces, a reliable dematerialized solution is mandatory.
Covered Products:
Including any item that falls under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and is eligible for TRIMAN signage.
TRIMAN signage:
Must not be accompanied by the recycling logo (Möbius Loop ♻️) alone, as this can be misleading.
⚠ Points of Vigilance
Regardless of product size, displaying the TRIMAN is mandatory, with adapted dematerialization solutions available for small products.
Ensure that instructions are neither misleading nor vague to avoid confusion among consumers participating in selective collection.
Absence or errors in displaying may result in:
Administrative sanctions (fines),
Market entry refusal in certain cases,
Confusion for the consumer,
Risk of sorting and collection inefficiency.
Regular regulatory updates require vigilance to ensure compliance with new standards.
Instructions must match the local sorting reality (e.g., some areas do not accept certain materials in the yellow bin).
Verify compliance with pictogram size and readability.
Pay attention to mixed or complex products (e.g., toys with electrical components) as they may require multiple instructions.
Risks in case of non-compliance:
Absence of signage or providing incorrect information may result in administrative sanctions stipulated in the Environmental Code (fines, compliance injunctions).
Prohibited actions:
Changing the color of the TRIMAN. It must remain the same color as the brand block.
Using the marking without the TRIMAN logo.
Changing the placement of the TRIMAN.
Changing the size of the TRIMAN character.
Modifying the proportions of the signage.
What is the timeline for applying TRIMAN?
Mandatory signage since January 1, 2015, evolving with the AGEC law
For furniture products (excluding textile decoration elements): since December 15, 2022.
Textile decoration
For textile decoration elements: since August 25, 2023.
Toy articles and DIY/Garden articles: since December 6, 2023.
For building products and materials: since September 28, 2024.
🕒Key Milestones
Mandatory application for a minimum surface for physical display: 10 cm².
Reference decree: August 10, 2011, updated.
🔗 Useful Links
Frequently Asked Questions about TRIMAN signage and sorting information
The Triman, a mandatory logo on recyclable products - our-environment
Ecomaison_Guide-dutilisation_Signaletique-TRIMAN_Sept-2023.pdf
https://ecomaison.com/informer-clients-bon-geste-tri/Download TRIMAN signage per sector (furniture, DIY/Garden, toys) + key information on implementing TRIMAN signage, covered products, and precise guidelines to ensure visibility and signage compliance.
❓Questions / Answers
Find here the most frequent questions along with their answers. Click ► to view the answer.
♻ What is the TRIMAN sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
The sorting signage consists of the TRIMAN logo and information specifying sorting or disposal methods for waste derived from the product. It informs consumers that a product is subject to sorting instructions. Each EU member state applies its own sorting instructions on its territory. For this reason, to date, the sorting signage only applies to products marketed in France.
🚫 Can only the packaging sorting signage be applied?
🗣️Answer:
No. Each sector has its specific signage, whose rules are defined and communicated by the concerned eco-organization. No substitution of signage is therefore authorized.
Learn more: Inform your clients about the correct sorting gesture.
🕒 What is the deadline for updating the sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
The TRIMAN sorting signage must be displayed on all products within Ecomaison sectors.
For more information: Inform your clients about the correct sorting gesture.
📦 What tools are available for TRIMAN signage?
🗣️Answer:
Ecomaison provides its members with an information guide on TRIMAN signage, as well as all variations of files to use in your tools.
We have opted to provide files in PNG and HD vectorized PDF formats, which allow for numerous modifications, except for text. Texts included in the sorting signage have been validated by the authorities and must not be changed. You can download the files on the following page:
🏷 If product information is displayed next to packaging information, can a single TRIMAN sorting signage be used?
🗣️Answer:
The sorting signage rules for each EPR system are independently managed, and marketers must adhere to the rules set by each eco-organization. It is not possible to modify the sorting instruction provided by Ecomaison and pair it with another signage. Both sorting instructions must be displayed separately on packaging, provided:
The marketer is a member of Citeo and Ecomaison
The minimum dimensions for sorting instructions from both eco-organizations are respected.
It is, however, tolerated to display the Triman logo only once if the sorting instructions for packaging and product are both associated with this logo.
🏷 What are the TRIMAN signage display obligations for products sold internationally?
🗣️Answer:
Mandatory display of sorting signage only applies to products intended for the French market. For this reason, the sorting signage is accompanied by a note specifying the country concerned "FR." Each EU member state applies its own sorting instructions on its territory, depending on each country's reuse and recycling capacities.
However, for products imported from another European country, sorting signage may be replaced by equivalent signage recognized by the European Union or a member state, which is currently not the case for sectors managed by Ecomaison.
🏷 How to display sorting instructions if our products have neither assembly notices nor packaging?
🗣️Answer:
For products sold without packaging or accompanying documentation, it is possible to apply signage directly to the product. This can potentially take the form of a sticker.
As a reminder, dematerialization is possible if:
TRIMAN and sorting information are dematerialized for products smaller than 10 cm²
Sorting information is dematerialized and TRIMAN retained for products between 10 cm² and 20 cm².
For cylindrical or spherical products or packaging, the 10 cm² limit is increased to 20 cm².
🏷 Which products are affected by TRIMAN signage?
🗣️Answer:
All products marketed for households are affected, regardless of sector.
The Ecomaison TRIMAN signage guide covers the product scope of the sectors for which Ecomaison is accredited: furniture items, toys, DIY and garden articles.
🏷 Where should the sorting signage be displayed?
🗣️Answer:
This sorting signage, consisting of the TRIMAN logo and information specifying sorting or disposal methods, should be placed as close as possible to the product:
on the product
or on the product's packaging
or in other documents provided with the product (maintenance booklet or user manual).
Online information is possible but does not replace marking on one of the three mentioned elements. If several product elements have different sorting methods, these methods are detailed per element, such as packaging, electrical components, and obviously the product itself.
Certain exceptions exist for displaying TRIMAN signage and sorting information depending on the product size.
🎨 Can the color of the sorting signage be changed?
🗣️Answer:
Ecomaison does not mandate the use of the provided color versions (black, green, or white). If you wish to display the logo on a colored background, we recommend using the white reserve version as specified in the sorting signage guide and in the example below:
The regulatory obligation concerns the visibility of the logo, which must be placed as close as possible to the product.
📏 Can the size of the TRIMAN signage be reduced?
🗣️Answer:
The dimensions indicated in the Ecomaison TRIMAN signage guide are recommendations. You can modify the size of the signage; however, note that regulations require the message's visibility to be clear for your customers. The law mandates that the TRIMAN remain sufficiently visible to inform customers.
The proportions among elements composing the signage must be respected when its size is changed.
ADEME recommends minimum sizes for using the TRIMAN logo in its original sorting signage usage charter:
- 10 mm in standard version
- 6 mm for the compact version
📝 What are the regulatory display requirements for TRIMAN sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
Displaying the TRIMAN signage has been mandatory since January 1, 2015, for all products subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems subject to recycling, except electronic and electrical devices. All marketers (producers, importers, and distributors selling their own branded products) of household products under EPR systems are therefore required to display TRIMAN signage.
Consult our dedicated page to learn more: click here
Answer this questionnaire to download TRIMAN signage files: click here
🏷 How to display TRIMAN sorting information close to my products?
🗣️Answer:
Marketers are obliged to ensure consumers can see TRIMAN sorting information. The legislator has not specified marking methods. Marking can take several forms, such as:
by marking on the product,
by adding TRIMAN signage to relevant documents,
by affixing a sticker on the product itself, its packaging, or its documentation.
⚠ What are the risks of failing to display TRIMAN sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
Sorting instructions apply to all concerned products marketed in France. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to €15,000.
The authority overseeing controls is the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF). Administrative fines are imposed for observed violations by DGCCRF inspectors. Penalties can be applied per product lacking TRIMAN signage and sorting information. However, the amounts cited in the Environmental Code are maximum ones.
Consult our dedicated page to learn more and download sorting signage files
🛒 Are marketplaces also required to display new TRIMAN sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
Marketplaces are responsible, in place of third-party vendors using their platform, and must ensure or contribute to waste prevention and management, in accordance with L541-10 (REP obligation).
Thus, they are subject to TRIMAN sorting signage obligations for their products. If the third-party vendor fails to fulfill their display obligation for TRIMAN sorting signage, the marketplace must take over this obligation instead.
🧐 There are multiple sorting instructions for my sector, which one should I choose?
🗣️Answer:
The choice of signage variation is at the marketer's discretion and depends on the types of products sold and the product's sales channel. All versions are equivalent, and placing them close to the product fulfills the regulatory obligation.
📦 If product information is displayed next to packaging information, should the TRIMAN logo be repeated?
🗣️Answer:
No. For a carpet, for instance, only one TRIMAN logo can be displayed on its packaging. However, TRIMAN instructions for both the furniture and its packaging must be independently displayed.
Sorting signage rules for each EPR system operate independently, and marketers must adhere to rules set by each eco-organization.
Both sorting instructions can be used at the marketer's discretion on packaging provided:
The marketer is a member of Citeo and Ecomaison
Minimum dimensions for sorting instructions from both eco-organizations are complied with.
▩ Can a QR Code substitute TRIMAN sorting signage?
🗣️Answer:
A QR Code redirecting to an online page with sorting signage cannot replace TRIMAN signage displayed on the product, packaging, or accompanying document.
❓Must sorting information be durable?
🗣️ Answer:
Marketers are required to ensure that sorting information is visible to consumers. Legislators have not specified information marking methods.
Marking can take several forms, such as:
by marking on the product,
by adding TRIMAN signage to relevant documents,
by affixing a sticker on the product, its packaging, or its documentation.
Sorting signage must be placed as close as possible to the product:
on the product,
or on the product's packaging,
or in other documents provided with the product
❓Is display on annexed documents mandatory?
🗣️ Answer:
TRIMAN signage and sorting information can be displayed on all documents provided with the product, during sale, such as maintenance booklets or usage manuals.
Digital versions are not subject to this requirement, but Ecomaison strongly recommends them to raise consumer awareness about sorting instructions.
❓Which sorting signage should be used for furniture?
🗣️ Answer: The choice of signage variation is at the marketer's discretion:
For furniture, preferably choose the version dedicated to furniture specialists, specifically mentioning furniture in the message.
For curtains and sheers, use the dedicated signage. These products can be collected along with clothes in dedicated textile containers.
For other products such as bedding, storage boxes, rugs, and accessories, opt for the marking intended for generalists.
All three versions are equivalent, and placing them close to the product fulfills the regulatory obligation.