This July, the French packaging take-back schemes submitted to the French authority a proposal concerning the sorting information guidelines. The French government gave their approval to validate this proposal on the 9th September 2021. This decision will allow the take-back schemes to release their definitive version of the harmonised sorting information, together with a user hand book and all necessary technical specifications. The information will be released shortly. We will provide you with all the elements you need in order to adjust your packaging, as soon as we receive it.
Transition period
As explained in our previous newsletter, the obligation to display the Triman logo together with the sorting information enters into force on 1st January 2022 and has to be fulfilled by 9th March 2022 at the latest. However, in order to give the producers time to adapt, a transition period of one year following the release of the sorting guidelines by the French government is granted. This means, the sorting information will become compulsory on all packaging starting from the 9th September 2022. An extension of the deadline until the 15th June 2023 is granted to all packaging produced or imported before the 9th September 2022 for producers serving one additonal waste stream (WEEE or batteries). For producers only serving the packaging waste stream the deadline will be the 9th March 2022.
Overview of the sorting information provided by Citeo
Citeo (French take-back scheme for packaging) has provided an overview of the upcoming sorting information guidelines. This information guideline has to be displayed on all the household packaging and has to include the Triman logo. The overview represents two examples of packaging which offer three versions the producer can choose to display on their packaging.
According to Citeo, these versions offer different advantages for the producer:
1) The version that informs the best the customers
2) The most explicit version
3) The most simple version in order to avoid translation.
The third version is especially interesting for all foreign producers using the same packaging for their product everywhere in Europe. Since this version does not have any text, it will not require additional translation efforts.
Additional sorting information guidelines for other EPR schemes in France
In order to align with the latest regulations, the other take-back schemes dealing with extended producer responsibilities (EPR) in France will have to release their own sorting information as well. We are awaiting the definitive version of the harmonised sorting information guidelines. The information will be released shortly. As usual, we will update you about any further development.
We will keep you informed on the upcoming decisions, which could further impact your obligations as a producer of packaging in France.
Should you wish to register in France as a producer of WEEE, batteries, packaging, textiles or furniture, please do not hesitate to contact our Consulting Department via beratung@take-e-way.de or +49/40/750687-0.
For solutions on EU product or packaging labelling requirements and especially disposal labelling, please contact the trade-e-bility consulting team via beratung@trade-e-bility.de or +49/40/75068730-0.
For more information on our international compliance services related to the placing on the market of electronic equipment, batteries/accumulators and packaged products or packaging, please click here: https://www.take-e-way.com/international-compliance/
