UK delays EU food labelling rules
The labelling rules that affect EU good entering the country were due to apply from 1 October 2022 but now won’t come into force until 1 January 2024.
The move has been decided following a formal agreement with both the Welsh and Scottish Governments.
Labelling
Delaying the labelling requirements means that some labelling terms and EU addresses will continue to permitted on the GB market for a period of an additional 15 months.
It covers a range of products from beef, veal, minced meat labelling (goat, sheep, swine and poultry), honey, olive oil and fruit, vegetables and wine. Eggs are also covered by the delay and will be able to mark eggs that do not meet domestic regulations as ‘non-EC standard’ or ‘non-UK standard’ until 31 December 2023.
Quick frozen foods are also covered by the move. From 1 January 2021 the packaging, containers, or label of quick-frozen foodstuffs sold in GB must include the name or business name and address of the manufacturer or packer or a seller established in the UK who places foodstuffs on the market
Identification marks
The Government has also revealed that Food Business Operator (FBO) labelling has also been delayed until 2024. This required that any EU producers would need to have a UK-vendor or import address.
To further help UK businesses it said that the use of UK/EU identification marks, which are required on products of animal origin, will continue until 31 December 2023.
This would allow food business operators to deplete existing stocks of labels, wrapping and packaging carrying the UK/EU identification marks. It said the delay is not intended to allow businesses to replenish stocks of labels after the end of the transition period. The Government is encouraging businesses to adopt new markings as soon as possible following the transition period.
