Published : 09/20/2023

Pictograms on promotional items

- Categories : Children's goodies , Custom-made goodies , Eco-responsible goodies

Pictograms, several signs can express imperative information to follow a regulation or trace a product. But what do they mean? Are they all reliable? Are they tested?

You also need to know the difference between a label and an informative pictogram.

In the case of pictograms, their main aim is to inform consumers about a product's ecological quality guarantees. In the world of promotional goodies, a number of labels and pictograms are frequently used, and it's worth taking a closer look at them to make a choice about the product you want to personalize and use in your promotional communications.

Currently, the fastest-growing labels are those with an environmental focus.

MANDATORY AND RECOMMENDED PICTOGRAMS AND MARKINGS

CE MARK

It appears on non-food products and indicates compliance with EU regulations. This compulsory marking must be visible on the outside of the packaging. Otherwise, it can be placed on the game/goodies when this is not possible on the packaging.

CE marking is affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the toy, its label or packaging. At least 5mm high, the CE mark must be visible at the time of purchase.

MOEBIUS ribbon

The Moebius ribbon is a recycling symbol that can have two meanings: the packaging or product is fully or partially recyclable, and it is fully or partially made from recycled materials. However, this pictogram has few controls, and in practice none at all.

The recycling triangle is a simple, effective pictogram that indicates recyclable products and packaging. However, there is no control over who uses it.

Please note: When an xx% appears in the center of the ribbon, this indicates the percentage of recycled material 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 the product's 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 on the waste management policy. Interdis in France as of 01/01/2022 due to confusion over sorting rules.

rPET

The RPET (Recycled Polytéréphtalate d'Ethylène) logo is affixed to products made from recycled water bottles. This recycled material helps limit greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of promoting circular economy and energy efficiency.

Promotional items such as plush toys, pens and other supplies can also be made from rPET.

TRIMAN

It applies to all products on the market that can be recycled. The Triman aims to inform consumers about the sorting instructions associated with the product. Please note that Law no. 2020105 on the fight against waste and the circular economy introduces TRIMAN labelling and sorting information on certain products.

Decree no. 2021-835 of June 29, 2021 on consumer information on the sorting of waste from products subject to the principle of extended producer responsibility informs that the TRIMAN pictogram must be displayed on products, packaging or in other documents supplied with the product.

For the creation ofadvertising objects, these elements can be considered as part of an environmentally conscious approach.

Triman's little extras:

-Standard size 10 mm
-Compact size 6 mm
-The Tri-man is always black or monochrome if accompanied by the tri-man info
-5 elements to combine: Siganlétique, Sigle FR, Éléments du produit, Destination, Informations additionnelles

Note the possibility of grouping the Triman on the packaging and the product!

BABY LOGO

"Caution. Not suitable for children under 3 years of age" or "Caution + symbol" is not an indication of age, but rather of the danger to which the child is exposed.

This logo must be accompanied by a short phrase indicating the type of hazard.

"Small items. Choking hazard" or "Long rope. Danger of strangulation".

Please note: this marking must be red on a white background, with only the age range and the outline of the face in black. It must also be at least 10mm in diameter, and the phrase must always be present.

DID YOU KNOW? SPECIAL LEGAL NOTICES AND GUIDELINES

- Manufacturers must indicate their name, address and company name on the toy, or on its packaging if this is not otherwise possible.

- The origin of the product is not compulsory, but the consumer must not be misled as to the origin of the product, so it is advisable to indicate this for a degree of transparency.

- Clearly display warnings: minimum and maximum age, risk of xxx, etc

- Mandatory batch number and reference

- Use appropriate standards, e.g. for toys: EN71 toy standard En71 - 1 - 2 - 3 - mechanical, flammable, chemical element

When all is said and done, pictograms are often mandatory. It's important to know which pictograms to use and, above all, not to modify them. The rules are strict, notably the Tri Man or the crossed-out 0-3 years.