Tips for Product labelling
Labels are a key feature of most products. They help to market the product, allow customers to tell it apart from the competition, and give important messages including ingredients, instructions and uses.
What you must include in your label
When you design a label, make sure it complies with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA), which says you can't give false, deceptive or misleading information to customers.
The Act also requires that labels are used to give information to consumers, such as:
- the mandatory consumer product information standards under the CCA
- industry specific regulations, such as the Food Standards Code
- labels required by Customs for some imported products under the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act.
Pre-packaged goods labelling
Label designs for pre-packaged goods must also comply with the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009, which include requirements for:
- the position, size and format of measurement information
- for articles packed in Australia, the name and address of the packer.
For more information, read the Guide to the Sale of Pre-Packaged Goods on the National Measurement Institute website.
Country of origin labelling
Under the CCA, you can't make false or misleading claims about where goods have come from. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) country of origin webpage tells you how to get your country of origin labelling. It also sets out the regulations around the Australian Made logo, which you may be able to use on your product.
Chemical products labelling
If your business is in the chemicals or plastics industry, read the Department of Industry's Chemicals Business Checklist for labelling and packaging requirements that apply to your products.
What to do...
- Read more about trade descriptions and labelling on imports on the Customs Commerce markings page.
- Read the Customs fact sheet on labelling requirements for exported goods (PDF 86KB).
- Read our Trade measurement page if the price of your goods is based on measurement of quantity or quality.
- Contact the ACCC small business helpline on 1300 302 021.
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