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2 min read
As Europe accelerates its transition toward a circular economy, environmental labeling for dietary supplement packaging in Europe has become a crucial compliance requirement for food and dietary supplement brands. France, Spain, and Italy have each introduced distinct packaging requirements—creating a fragmented Regulatory landscape that challenges brands distributing across multiple EU markets.
This blog breaks down the key recycling mandates in each country and offers practical guidance on how supplement brands can stay compliant without compromising packaging consistency or brand messaging.
Key Recycling Mandates for Supplement Packaging
Country | Requirements | Symbols | EPR System | Notes |
| France | Triman logo and Info-Tri instructions required for all household packaging | Mandatory: Triman logo and Info-Tri graphic instructions | CITEO | Packaging must follow CITEO guidelines for format, color, and placement. As of March 9, 2023, all household packaging must include clear, harmonized signage for sorting and recycling. Full compliance required by March 2025. |
| Spain | Producers must register with EcoEmbes, join an authorized EPR system, and provide disposal instructions | No mandatory symbol; Punto Verde optional | Ecoembes | In Spain, Royal Decree 1055/2022 is currently in effect. While future harmonized recycling symbols have been announced, no official implementation date or design has been confirmed. |
| Italy | Packaging must include the material identification code and disposal instructions in Italian | No mandatory logo; CONAI mark optional | CONAI | In Italy, environmental labeling has been mandatory since January 1, 2023, under Legislative Decree 116/2020, which implements EU Directive 2018/851. |
Managing Divergent National Requirements
For brands operating across these three major markets, a unified EU-wide label is still not possible. The same food supplement may need three different back-labels or country-specific packaging versions.
To manage this complexity, it is essential to:
- Verify national obligations before printing new packaging
- Maintain updated membership with the relevant EPR systems (CITEO in France, Ecoembes in Spain, CONAI in Italy)
- Ensure translations and layout comply with each country’s requirements
How Freyr Supports You
At Freyr Solutions, we help food and dietary supplement brands navigate the evolving landscape of packaging compliance across Europe. Our Regulatory and artwork teams work together to ensure your packaging meets country-specific recycling mandates without compromising brand consistency.
We support you by:
- Interpreting local environmental labeling rules across France, Spain, and Italy
- Preparing compliant packaging artwork and disposal instructions tailored to each market
- Monitoring upcoming legislative updates to keep your products market-ready
With Freyr’s expertise, your brand can stay ahead of national recycling obligations while maintaining a credible and unified sustainability message across borders.
Final Thoughts
As sustainability regulations tighten across Europe, packaging compliance is no longer a back-office task—it’s a strategic imperative. For supplement brands, staying ahead of country-specific recycling mandates isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s about building consumer trust and operational agility in a fragmented Regulatory landscape. With the right expertise and proactive planning, compliance can become a competitive advantage.
