Pictogram, several signs can express imperative information to follow regulations or trace a product. But what do they mean? Are they all reliable? Are they controlled?
You also need to know the difference between a Label and an informative pictogram.
For the pictograms their objective is mainly to inform the consumer about the ecological quality guarantees of a product. In the world of advertising goodies , several labels and pictograms are used frequently, it is relevant to take an interest in them to make a choice on the product that you wish to personalize and use in communication through the object.
Currently, the acronyms in full development are those with meaning for the environment.
MANDATORY AND RECOMMENDED PICTOGRAMS AND MARKINGS
CE MARK
It appears on non-food products and notifies of compliance with community regulations. This is a mandatory marking which must be visible on the outside of the packaging. Otherwise, it can be positioned on the game/goodies when this is not possible on the packaging.
The CE marking is affixed in a visible, legible and indelible manner on the toy, on its label or on its packaging. 5mm minimum, the CE must be visible at the time of purchase.
MOEBIUS ribbon
The Moebius strip is the symbol of recycling which can have two meanings: the packaging or product is fully or partially recyclable and it is entirely or partially made of recycled materials . However, this pictogram has few controls, in practice non-existent.
The recycling triangle is a simple and effective pictogram, which indicates recyclable products and packaging. However there is no control over the people who use it.
Please note: When an xx% appears in the center of the ribbon, it indicates the percentage of recycled material that was used in the manufacture of the product.
A simplified form of this ribbon exists, in addition to notifying the recyclable or recycled nature of the product, the pictogram can give an indication of its main material.
- PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate)
- HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
- V (Polyvinyl chloride)
- LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
- PP (Polypropylene)
- PS (Polystyrene)
- OTHER
Be careful not to confuse the ribbon with the green dot which is shown on the waste management policy. Banned in France since 01/01/2022 because of the confusion it caused regarding the sorting rule.
rPET
The RPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) acronym is affixed to products made from recycled water bottles. With the aim of circular economy and energy, this recycled material helps limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Promotional items such as stuffed animals , pens and other supplies can be made from rPET.
TRIMAN
It concerns all products on the market that can be recycled. The Triman aims to inform the consumer about the sorting instructions associated with the product. Please note, Law No. 2020105, relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy, establishes the affixing of TRIMAN signage and sorting information on certain products.
Indeed, decree n°2021-835 of June 29, 2021 relating to consumer information on the rule for sorting waste from products subject to the principle of extended producer responsibility informs that the TRIMAN pictogram must be present on the products , packaging or in other documents supplied with the product.
For the creation of advertising objects, these elements can be considered in an approach of environmental awareness.
The little extra of the Triman:
-Standard size 10 mm
-Compact size 6 mm
-The Tri-man is always black or monochrome if accompanied by sorting information
-5 elements to associate: Siganletique, FR acronym, Product elements, Destination, Additional information
Note the possibility of grouping the Triman of the packaging and the product!
BABY logo
" Attention. Not suitable for children under 3 years old. » or “Attention + acronym” is not an indication of age, it signifies the danger incurred by the child.
This logo must be accompanied by a short sentence indicating the type of danger.
“Small elements. Choking hazard” or “Long rope. Danger of strangulation”.
Please note: this marking must be red on a white background, only the age group and the outline of the face must be black, without forgetting to measure at least 10mm in diameter and the mention must always be present with the indicative phrase.
DID YOU KNOW? SPECIAL LEGAL NOTICES AND GUIDELINES
– Manufacturers must indicate their name, address and company name on the toy or its packaging if this is not otherwise possible.
– The origin of the product is not obligatory but the consumer must not be misled about the origin of the product so it is advisable to indicate it for a certain transparency.
– Clearly highlight the Warnings: minimum age, maximum, risk of xxx, etc.
– Batch number and mandatory reference
– Set the appropriate standards, example for the toy : EN71 toy standard En71 – 1 – 2 – 3 – mechanical, flammable, chemical element
Ultimately, highlighting pictograms is often mandatory. You must know which ones must be used and above all not modify them, the rules are strict, in particular the Tri Man or the 0-3 years barred.