Triman and SUP logo: mandatory logos on recyclable products
European and French regulations around food packaging are evolving rapidly. Since 2021, several texts require specific notices on certain containers, in particular the Triman logo (obligatory in France) and pictograms from the SUP directive for single-use plastics. These markings are not simple graphic details: they determine legal compliance and the marketing of your products.
For cups used in the sale of cold drinks such as milkshakes, the integration of these logos is now essential. So, how to navigate and avoid the risks of non-compliance? This article takes stock.
1. Why have these logos become mandatory?
THE Triman logo and the SUP markings meet a dual objective: to inform the consumer and encourage sorting or reduction of the use of plastics.
- Triman Logo : mandatory in France on recyclable packaging, to indicate that they must be placed in the sorting channel.
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SUP (Single Use Plastics) markings : imposed by Directive (EU) 2019/904 and its implementing regulation 2020/2151. They identify certain single-use plastic products (including plastic drink cups) and point out their environmental impact.
2. Which food packaging is affected?
The regulations distinguish between materials and uses:
- Paper cups without plastic film : subject to Triman (in France) but not affected by the SUP pictogram.
- Cups with plastic (PET or cardboard with plastic film) : must include both the Triman logo (in France) and the SUP marking, as they are considered single-use plastics.
- Single-use plastic trays and containers : subject to SUP pictograms.
This means that if you offer frozen drinks, milkshakes or smoothies to take away, your PET cups must include these markings. In France, the Triman is required, and throughout the European Union, SUP pictograms are controlled.
3. Concrete impacts for your activity
- Legal compliance: Non-compliant packaging may result in withdrawal from the market or a sanction in the event of an inspection.
- Branding: Clearly displaying the Triman and SUP marking shows your customers that you respect standards and act responsibly.
- Simplified logistics: Choosing cups that are already marked avoids additional printing or the addition of stickers.
Example: an ice cream parlor or fast-food restaurant offering take-away milkshakes has every interest in using a PET cup Ø95 mm already marked according to the rules, in order to save time and ensure compliance.
4. How to choose the right packaging to comply?
- Check the presence of regulatory logos : Triman for France, SUP marking for Europe.
- Ensure that the supplier is suitable for the European market : some extra-EU producers do not respect these obligations, which can lead to customs blockages or recalls.
Sourcing from distributors specializing in eco-responsible food packaging guarantees compliant products, adapted and tested for the French and European market.
Conclusion
THE Triman and SUP logos are not simple administrative obligations: they reflect a profound evolution of regulations and consumer expectations. For restaurateurs, ice cream parlors, fast food restaurants or caterers, anticipating these obligations allows them to avoid sanctions while strengthening their ecological credibility with their customers.
If you are looking for compliant food packaging and adapted to the takeaway, the online store Covr offers a complete range already marked according to current standards.