Language requirements for labelling
Just like the content of food labels, the language in which that content is written is also subject to certain requirements. The previous language requirements dated from 24 January 1977 and were not always applied correctly by producers and retailers. A revision was needed to guarantee transparency and food safety for consumers, and to monitor compliance by producers and retailers more strictly.
Find out in the blog below what the language requirements involve and how we can support you.
Pascal Brysse
What does the legislation on language requirements for labelling involve?
European Regulation 1169/2011 Article 15 states:
“The information that appears on the label and that is mandatory under this law shall at least be provided in the language or languages of the language area in which the products are placed on the market.”
This means that the language on a food label must match the language of the community in which the product is sold. Other languages may of course be added.
In Belgium, this works out as follows:
- Brussels Region: French and Dutch
- Flanders: Dutch
- Wallonia: French
- German-speaking Community: German
These language requirements only apply to the mandatory labelling particulars (name, list of ingredients, date marking, nutrition declaration…), not to voluntary information such as claims and sustainability information.
Please note!
If voluntary claims nevertheless give rise to mandatory particulars, such as ‘Contains naturally occurring sugars’ with the claim ‘No added sugar’, the language requirements do apply to that derived mandatory particular.
When does this legislation take effect?
The bill was submitted to the Chamber of Representatives and adopted in plenary session on 16 June 2022. It was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 22 September 2022.
The legal text includes no transition period, but an 18-month tolerance period was introduced to allow producers to use up existing stocks. However, companies should not wait to gradually make the necessary changes to packaging designs and print proofs.
Producing correct translations, implementing them and approving print proofs takes a considerable amount of time. And since some labels will carry several languages, it takes some puzzling to display everything clearly and neatly in the same space.
AMNorman is happy to help
Our Normanists specialise in regulatory translations and are the ideal partner for drawing up compliant label information.
We also provide practical tips on rearranging the label and work out how all the information can be placed on the label correctly and accessibly.
