The European Union has officially adopted a new regulation allowing the use of digital labelling on fertilising products. This move, approved by the Council, marks the final step in the legislative process.
The regulation encourages the use of digital labels while maintaining physical labels where necessary, simplifying requirements for suppliers and improving the clarity of product information.
Reducing costs and improving efficiency in packaging
The adoption of digital labels is expected to reduce both costs and bureaucracy for producers. Under the new rules, digital labels, such as QR codes or barcodes, will offer an alternative to traditional packaging labels.
These digital labels can store far more information than physical labels, which is especially beneficial for small packaging where space is limited. Producers will also benefit from simplified labelling obligations, as digital labels can be updated more easily and at a lower cost.
The regulation mandates that digital labels will remain available for a minimum of 10 years after a product is placed on the market. It also introduces provisions to ensure that vulnerable consumers, including those with limited digital skills, can still access the necessary information through physical labels.
Balancing Ddgital and physical labelling needs
While promoting digital labelling, the new regulation recognises that some consumers may struggle with digital solutions. To address this, physical labels will still be required in certain circumstances, such as for products sold in bulk.
Information will need to be displayed in a visible location at the point of sale, ensuring that all consumers have access to product details, regardless of their digital proficiency.
This balanced approach aims to cater to all user groups, while helping producers reduce their environmental impact by cutting down on physical labelling materials.
Legislative process and next steps
The European Parliament had already approved the regulation, and with the Council’s adoption, the legislative act has now been finalised. The regulation will soon be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, following which it will enter into force three days later.
The use of digital labelling is already in place for certain EU products, including batteries and chemicals. The new rules for fertilising products could pave the way for further expansion of digital labelling across other sectors, such as cosmetics and detergents.
The Commission has also been given the authority to update these requirements as needed through future legislation.
