What must be printed on a product or its packaging: GHS pictograms, allergen warnings, country of origin, energy labels, CE mark, age ratings, ingredient lists.
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What must be printed on a product or its packaging is a function of category × jurisdiction. This page lists the labelling requirements we routinely cite when surfacing a product wiki entry: what should be there, what it means, and which regulation compels it.
Mandatory product identification
Every consumer product sold in the EU must carry the name and postal address of the manufacturer or importer established in the EU (General Product Safety Regulation 2023/988, Art. 9). The U.S. Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (15 USC 1453) requires identity of commodity, net quantity and name + place of the manufacturer / packer / distributor.
Country of origin
EU: mandatory under various sectoral rules (textiles, food, footwear). US: mandatory under 19 USC 1304 — every imported article must be marked with the country of origin in English, legibly and conspicuously.
CE marking
The CE mark is the manufacturer's declaration that a product complies with the relevant EU directives and regulations (applies to toys, electrical equipment, medical devices, machinery, PPE, gas appliances, pressure equipment, radio equipment, etc.). It is self-declared for low-risk categories and third-party-certified for higher-risk ones. CE is required before placing on the EU market.
UKCA marking (UK)
Equivalent of CE for Great Britain post-Brexit; the UK has accepted CE marking for an extended period. We cite the underlying GB Statutory Instruments.
Energy label
EU: Regulation (EU) 2017/1369. Mandatory for appliances; uses A→G scale (rescaled 2021); product must be registered in EPREL. US: FTC EnergyGuide label (16 CFR Part 305). Canada: NRCan EnerGuide.
GHS pictograms (chemicals)
EU CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 implements the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of hazard classification. Pictograms (red diamonds) are required on every hazardous mixture or substance. US: implemented via OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). The 9 standard pictograms cover flame, explosive, corrosive, oxidiser, gas-under-pressure, toxic-skull, environmental, exclamation mark, health-hazard.
Allergen warnings (food)
EU Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 (FIC) mandates emphasis of 14 allergens in the ingredient list (typically bold or capitalised). US Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) mandates declaration of the 9 major allergens — extended in 2023 to include sesame (FASTER Act).
Ingredient list
EU cosmetics: INCI ingredient list mandatory under Reg. (EC) 1223/2009 Art. 19. Food: full ingredient list per FIC. Cleaning products: detergent ingredient declaration under Reg. (EC) 648/2004. US: 21 CFR 101.4 (food), 21 CFR 701.3 (cosmetic).
Best-before / use-by dates
EU FIC Art. 24 — "use by" for highly perishable; "best before" for shelf-stable. US: FDA does not federally mandate dating except for infant formula. State rules vary.
Age rating and safety warnings (toys)
EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC Annex V. "Not suitable for children under 3 years of age" must accompany small parts. ASTM F963 (US) defines the equivalent.
Recycling marks
EU triman + Mobius loop + WEEE "crossed-out wheelie bin" mark for EEE. Country-specific marks: Der Grüne Punkt (DE), TidyMan (UK).
FCC ID display
47 CFR 2.925 requires the FCC ID to be permanently affixed in a conspicuous location. E-label is permitted on devices with screens under MUSIC Act 2014.
ProductGuru summarises public regulatory information. We are not lawyers, regulators or product-safety consultants. Citations on this page link to the underlying official source; consult those sources, or qualified counsel in your jurisdiction, before relying on any claim for a commercial decision.