Labelling and Packaging Legislation

Labelling and packaging can add a final visual touch to goods or services sold. There are many forms of packaging including boxes, bags, tins and bottles, etc, as well as many uses for garment labelling. It will all depend on the type of product or service being manufactured and sold.

A label is generally added inside a final garment with a care list informing the buyer on the best cleaning process, such as washing and ironing instructions. These labels may also include the garment  size and a list of fabrics used for the production. Labels can, however, also be used to create brand recognition. Although labels are place within clothing discreetly, some brands and designers can also chose to place a label on the outside, visibly to others in order to grow this recognition.

There are also many benefits to packaging. It is able to protect and preserve the product during transportation, it is a way to decorate the product in order to stand out from competitors and make the item attractive to customers. It also allows you to distinguish your brand image through the use of a logo, slogan, illustration or colour.

Even with these benefits and various elements to consider, it is also important that the process and final labelling and packaging is completed correctly.

Legislation

Clear and honest packaging and labelling must be used on traded goods. Any false or misleading packaging or labelling could result in a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. These laws should be respects from both those involved in the making and those who sell the packaged goods.

The form of packaging and labelling includes writing and illustrations. You must not be misleading about:

• Quantity or size
• Composition
• Method of manufacture
• Place or date of manufacture
• Fitness for stated purpose
• Endorsements by people or organisations

Within the UK and European Union there is no legal requirement for goods to be marked with their origin, however it you decide to indicate their origin it must be accurate otherwise it is a criminal offence. It is also an offence to provide packaging or labelling with a false or misleading price regarding the goods or services.

If you are a retailer, below you can find a list of ‘Under the Price Marking Order 2004’ that you must abide to:

• Display clearly the price of goods
• Display the unit price of goods sold loose
• Use metric measurements for unit pricing – note that some products can still be sold in imperial units and you can still use the imperial measurement for other products providing you also give the metric equivalent
• Price in sterling
• Include VAT and any other taxes

Prices must be clear and easily identifiable, as well as being placed close to the product it relates to and available to the customer. Appropriate methods to clearly display the price of goods include product labelling, price lists or shelf-edged price marks.

To see which laws apply to your goods or services full information on the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk.