The European Commission initiated legal proceedings against France regarding its national waste-sorting label requirements, citing violations of EU single market principles, Politico reported.
The move highlights a clash between France’s ambitious environmental regulations and Brussels’ push for harmonised standards across the bloc. Despite France’s leadership in circular economy policies, the Commission argues that its mandatory “Triman” logo, introduced in 2022, creates disproportionate barriers for businesses operating across borders.
France’s regulations require producers to display the Triman logo (or “Info-tri” label) on products ranging from packaging to electronics, using symbols to instruct consumers on proper disposal methods. While praised domestically for boosting recycling rates, these rules have drawn sustained criticism from Brussels.
The Commission contends that until the EU-wide packaging regulation takes effect in August 2028, national labels like France’s obstruct the free movement of goods. Companies face significant costs adapting packaging artwork for the French market alone, a burden particularly challenging for smaller enterprises. Francesca Stevens of packaging lobby Europen emphasised this strain:
Over the years, [the Triman logo] has inflicted a disproportionate impact on European companies, incurring costs to modify the artwork on their packaging for the French market.
The Commission escalated the dispute after issuing formal warnings in February 2023 and November 2024, urging France to align its rules with single market obligations. With Paris refusing to suspend the Triman system before 2028, the case now heads to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
