From January 1st of this year, with the exception of glass, all consumer products featuring 'sorting instructions' will adopt the Triman logo, replacing the 'green dot' that determines the product as 'eco-packaging'.
The logo already present on some packages was initially due to be set up in January 2012 to increase the performance of separate collection and recycling, but was met with strong opposition from finished goods companies.
Cosmetics manufacturers amongst others, have somewhat been forced to introduce the label to indicate whether products can be recycled.
As each EU Member State has different practices when it comes to waste management and other labels are already in use, some have questioned whether the Triman could end up confusing European consumers.
Additional costs for cosmetic companies?
Prior to January 1st, complaints from sectors including cosmetics featured concerns over new additional costs and obstacles to the free movement of goods in the EU’s internal market.
Finished goods companies also questioned the EU parliament as to whether it has considered the disruption to the internal market which the use of this label on all products could cause for operators whose products are sold in France or in other Member States, who are used to other forms of labelling.
Meanwhile, industry analysts add that consumers may become confused as the previous green dot logo informed them that the package is recyclable while the Triman means that it is the company that affixes the label to products, pays a contribution to the collection and sorting of containers.
Garnier speaks out against move
Elsewhere, eupackaging.com reported Garnier to have been amongst companies to have spoken out against “powerful lobbies” pushing this legislation.
It reported that the global personal care brand had been trying to convince the Senate to drop the logo in the name of “simplification of the law” and “business competitiveness” and also because some packaging already had the green dot scheme.
“This is yet another scandal for waste management in France,” said a company rep, following news of the need to develop recycling in the European Union.