Labelling

With the introduction of the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT), the role of sustainability claims is shifting fundamentally. Where such claims used to be primarily a marketing tool, they are now becoming a compliance responsibility.

Sustainability claims have become an important commercial tool in recent years. At the same time, this has led to an increase in vague, exaggerated or hard-to-verify communication. With the introduction of the ECGT Directive (Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, 2024/825), Europe aims to put a stop to this.

The Dutch PAL rules have been tightened since 1 January 2026: warnings are now only permitted if they are substantiated by a risk-based assessment. Do you export to the Netherlands? Then it is essential to have your prevention, cleaning/validation and risk analysis in order.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1141 of 12 June 2024 provides that the abbreviation 'EC' must be replaced by 'EU'.

The distinction between B2B and B2C in labelling has major consequences for the way information must be shared. It also determines the obligations of producers and distributors in the food sector.

Labels on pre-packaged products are an important source of information for consumers. Since December 2014, European Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the labelling of foodstuffs has applied.

Wine products produced and labelled from 8 December 2023 onwards must comply with new labelling requirements. For other alcoholic beverages, this is not yet mandatory.

What is the difference between 'best before' and 'use by'?

We regularly receive questions about the durability dates on the label of a pre-packaged product. The manufacturer is required to place a durability date on every food product. A distinction is made between 'best before (BB)' and 'use by (UB)'.

When do I use 'UB' and when 'BB'? Is a durability date always mandatory? And what about stating time and temperature?

Since 25 May 2021, new EU legislation has applied to the definition, description, labelling and presentation of spirit drinks such as rum and cognac.

Research shows that 20%, or 25,000 product data sheets, contain errors or omissions.