Europe: Brexit - Food Labelling Effect

 

Food labelling changes postponed until 1 October 2022 for foods sold in Great Britain; Northern Ireland will continue to follow EU regulations for food labelling.

On 12 October 2020, the UK government updated its guidance on food and beverage labelling regulations in force from 1 January 2021. Previous guidance indicated that foods sold in Great Britain (GB) would require a labelling change from 1 January 2021, but according to updated guidance, some labelling changes require that the food placed on the GB market from 1 October 2022 Will apply on Furthermore, Northern Ireland will not comply with the specific food labelling regulations implemented in GB, but will instead continue to follow food labeling. Rules applicable in the European Union. It is important to note that the legislative basis for this deferred deadline still needs to be implemented and therefore the guidance is currently subject to agreement with devalued administrations and parliamentary procedure. We, however, expect the extension to be agreed upon and formally approved.

 

The UK government's decision to postpone some of the necessary labelling changes means that most foods that comply with the EU food labeling regulations can be put on the market until 30 September 2022 in GB. Their packaging may still contain an EU address for the food trade regulator. (FBO) and "European Union" and "non-European Union" country of origin claim. From 1 October 2022, the packaging of foods placed on the GB market must include a UK address for the FBO or, if the FBO is not in the UK, the UK importer's address. Additionally, packaging from that date cannot bear "EU" based origin claims and must instead use "UK" or "non-UK" where the label does not list each country of origin.

 

However, it is important to note that the European Union's the moratorium for the use of biological logos is not applicable. From 1 January 2021, the EU organic logo can no longer be used on any UK organic foods unless authorized by the EU to certify UK goods for export to the EU Or the UK and EU do not agree to recognize each other's standards.

 

The deadline for foods exported from GB to the European Union has not been postponed. All foods planted in the EU market from 1 January 2021 must meet EU regulations for food labeling. However, as Northern Ireland will comply with EU regulations, the food label may contain an EU or Northern Ireland address for the FBO or importer. In addition, EU symbols and "EU origin" -claims can still be used on the packaging of foods in Northern Ireland. For the avoidance of doubt, foods produced in GB and on the other hand foods sold in the European Union or Northern Ireland may no longer have EU specific details from 1 January 2021.