The Post-Brexit Reality
Since Brexit, the regulatory alignment between the UK and EU has diverged. Brands selling in both markets now face a dual-compliance challenge that requires careful attention to detail.
1. Responsible Person Address
You can no longer use a single UK address for the EU market, or vice versa.
- UK Market: Must have a UK-based address (FBO or importer).
- EU Market: Must have an EU-based address.
- Solution: Many brands now list both addresses on the back of pack to maintain a single SKU where possible.
2. Recycling Symbols (Triman, Green Dot, OPRL)
- France: The Triman logo is mandatory and has specific sizing and sorting info requirements.
- UK: The OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label) is the standard, though not strictly mandatory, it is highly expected by retailers.
- Green Dot: Still used in some markets but phasing out in others.
Compliance Alert: Failure to include the correct recycling information in France can lead to fines and products being pulled from shelves.
3. "Best Before" vs. "Use By"
The distinction is critical for food safety. "Use By" is a safety deadline; "Best Before" is a quality guideline. Mistaking these can lead to food waste or safety violations.
4. Font Size Minimums
The "x-height" of your font must be at least 1.2mm for mandatory information (unless the surface area is very small). This is a hard rule in the EU (FIC) and UK.
Stay Compliant with WYLLOLAB™
Navigating these rules while maintaining a beautiful design is our specialty. Our Packaging Localization team works with legal experts to ensure your labels are safe for shelf.
Avoid the risk. Get a compliance audit for your packaging today.