CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY STANDARD

FOR
REQUIREMENTS FOR LABELLING
(Labelling of prepackaged goods)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section

CONTENTS

Page

0.

FOREWORD

2-3

1.0

SCOPE

3-4

2.0

DEFINITIONS

4-8

3.0

REQUIREMENTS

8 - 13

4.0

USE OF STANDARD MARKS

13 -14

5.0

ADVICE ON LABELS

14

6.0

CONFLICT

14

7.0

REGISTRATION OF LABELS PROGRAMME

15

0.

FOREWORD

0.1

This standard was prepared by the Caribbean Common Market Standards Council
and approved by the Council of Ministers in December 1978 for use as a voluntary
standard.

0.2

It is recommended that each Territory of the Caribbean community should adopt

this standard as a compulsory standard to prevent fraud and deception arising from
misleading labelling and to give adequate information to the consumer or user of
prepackaged goods.

0.2.1

This standard was prepared at an early stage as the Caribbean Common Market
Standards Council had indicated those standards for labelling would be given high
priority.

0.3

As many goods for retail sale are commonly sold prepackaged by the manufacturer,
the packager, or the retailer, it was recognized that provisions for the information to
be given on labels of prepackaged goods would help the consumer or purchaser to
assess the quality of goods and their relation to his or her needs and resources.

0.3.1

It is hoped that this standard will also assist manufacturers in meeting the
requirements for labelling imposed on countries outside the Caribbean Community.

0.4

In drafting this standard, assistance was derived from the following:

I.

The Food and Drugs (Amendment) Regulations (1974) Trinidad and Tobago;

II.

The Consumer Packaging and Labeling act (1971) and Regulations (1974)
Canada; and

III.

TTS 21 10 500 Part 1976 Labeling of Prepackaged Goods.

IV.

JS 1 Part 20 Jamaican Standard Specification for Labelling of commodities Part: 20

Labelling of prepackaged products (Revised).

0.5

Labelling of prepackaged goods is intended to:

I.

assist the purchaser or consumer towards an understanding of the nature, quality or

use of the goods so that he may judge whether it is adequate for his needs and is of a
quality or usefulness for which he judges the price to be acceptable;

II.

Enable the manufacturer or retailer to carry out his obligation to describe the goods
at the point of sale in a truthful, informative and non-deceptive manner so that no
cause for complaint may be found that the goods were wrongly described.

0.6

For these reasons, and in order to minimize the confusion that exists in the labelling
of different classes of articles so that some are customarily sold with much
information, others with little, this standard has been prepared to lay down the basic
requirements and basic information that labels should carry.

1.0

SCOPE

1.1

This standard sets out requirements for the information to be included on labels of
goods prepackaged for retail sale, the method of display of such information, and
where necessary, the wording and units of measurements (metric) to be used.

1.2

This standard does not apply to the following:

I.

Goods in packages not intended for retail sale;

II.

Goods or classes of goods where different or additional information is prescribed by

any Caribbean Regional Standard or model regulations approved by the Caribbean
Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ);

III.

Goods intended for export only which comply with the requirements of standards or
laws on labelling in force in the country to which they are being exported;

IV.

Cases where any Caricom Regional Standard for any goods or classes of goods
makes differing or supplementary provisions for labelling, the provisions of that
standard shall prevail over the provisions of this standard;

V.

Gift-wrapped goods; and

VI.

Markings on shipping containers.

2.0

DEFINITIONS

2.1

For the purposes of this standard the following definitions shall apply:

2.1.1

Address means the identifiable address of the principal place of business or

registered office of:

I.

The manufacturer or packager of the goods; or

II.

The person for whom the goods are manufactured or packaged.

2.1.2

Bulk Container or Multiple Containers means a package in which one or more

similar articles of prepackaged goods are placed and which may be sold together
with them by retail as a unit or each prepackaged article may be sold separately.

2.1.3

Combination package means a package intended for retail sale, which contains two or
more individual packages or units of dissimilar commodities.

2.14

Common Name of any goods means the name by which those goods are commonly
described in a member country of the Caribbean Community, or any name for those goods
that is commonly used in any trade, art, craft, science, industry or occupation in countries
using the English Language (whether or not the name is in English) and includes any
name in a standard declared by CROSQ), or the Competent Authority, for those goods.

2.1.5

Competent Authority means a Minister, Ministry, department of government or

statutory body in a Territory of the Caribbean Community administering any law
regulating the labeling of goods.

2.1.6

Country of Origin means the country where the nature or quality of the goods was
last changed to a significant extent, other than by packaging.

2.1.7

Date Mark means any date by which the age of any article may be determined if it
is subject to deterioration in the course of distribution through trade.

2.1.8

Distribute means to deliver goods to another person in exchange for money, or

other consideration.

2.1.9

Expiry Date means any date after which the manufacturer or packager does not
guarantee any property of the goods by reason of the foreseeable deterioration due
to age or normal handling before retail sale.

2.1.10 Instruction for Use means any information as to the method of storage, handling,
use, installation, care, maintenance or repair that may reasonably assist a consumer,
user or purchaser in using any goods, or which may be required to be given in
conformity with a standard, warranty, or any law in force in a Territory of the
Caribbean Community.

2.1.11 Label means any mark, symbol, device, and imprint, stamp, brand, ticket, or tag
applied to, place on, accompanying, sold with, or referring to any goods or package
containing goods.
2.1.12 Manufacturer means the person who manufactures, produces, processes, prepares,
packages, or prepackages any goods for retail sale.
2.1.13 Multiunit package means a package containing two or more individual packages of the
same commodity in the same quantity, with individual packages intended to be sold as part
of the multiunit package, but capable of being sold individually, in full compliance with all
the requirements of this standard.
2.1.14 Net Contents means the quantity of goods contained in a package as measured in
terms of a unit of measurement of length, volume, weight (or mass), or number,
when the package and packing materials have been separated from the goods.
2.1.15 Ornamental container means a package in which the surfaces commonly displayed
are used solely for decorative ornament and not for any advertising or promotional
information other than the trade name and the common name of the goods.
2.1.16 Package means any container, wrapper, or confining band, in which any product is
enclosed for use in the delivery or display of that product to the retail purchaser.
2.1.17 Prepackaged goods means goods that are placed in advance of sale in the final
package in which it is intended for retail sale, and in which it is intended for retail
sale, and in which it may be sold, used or purchased without further repackaging.
2.1.18 Principal display panel means that part of the package which is most likely to be
displayed, shown or examined under customary conditions of display for retail sale

2.1.19 Standard Mark means a registered certificate trade mark granted to commodities,
processees and practices which consistently perform to national specifications.
2.1.20 Registered office means the companys official place where all communications are
to be sent.
2.1.21 Retail price means the price set or asked by a retailer for:
I.

One or a specified number of articles of the goods; or

II.

One or a specified number of units of measurement of the goods.

2.1.22 Sell includes:

I.

Offer of sale, expose for sale, have in possession for sale; and

II.

Display in such a manner as may reasonably be construed as to invite an offer to

treat or to be for sale.

2.1.23 Shipping Container means any container intended to protect goods during
transport that is not customarily used to store the goods when displayed for sale.
2.1.24 Unit of Measurement means any unit in the SI system of units or the Imperial
System of units or any other unit prescribed by law for use in trade, or commonly
used in trade, science, the arts, or other occupations to measure the properties of an
article.
2.1.25 Warranty or Guarantee means an undertaking given by a vendor, manufacturer,
distributor or supplier to a buyer or consumer with respect to any goods or part of
goods, relating to any of the following matters:
I.

Safety;

II.

Quantity;

III.

Quality;

IV.

Composition;

V.

Performance;

VI.

Lifespan;

VII.

Durability;

VIII.

Repair and maintenance services;

IX.

Replacement of goods if found defective;

X.

Compensation to the buyer or consumer for any defective goods supplied, or loss,
harm, damage or under hardships resulting from use of any defective goods
supplied; or

XI.

Any other related matters not included under (I) to (X) above.

3.0

REQUIREMENTS

3.1

General Each package of prepackaged goods shall be labeled with the following
information:

I.

The common or usual name of the commodity, a generic name, or appropriately

descriptive term such as a statement of function or the name required by or specified
in any applicable regulation together with any trade name or brand name controlled
by the manufacturer;

II.

The name of the manufacturer and his identifiable address, the principal place of
business or registered office of the manufacturer, packer or importer and the name
of the country of origin. It shall be preceeded by the words manufactured by ....,
packed by......, distributed by...., imported by....., as applicable, and the
words:

made in (name of territory);

produce of (name of territory);
packaged in (name of territory); as appropriate.
III.

A correct statement of the net contents of the package, subject to such tolerance as
may be allowed, in metric units of measurement;

IV.

Major ingredients or contents shall be listed in decreasing order of predominance by

weight or volume.
Products which have ingredients shall state the Active Ingredients in decreasing
order of weight , or volume,or percentage, followed by the Inert Ingredients, in
decreasing order of weight or percentages.
For food products which contain a preservative the name of the preservative shall be
stated followed by the word preservative in parenthesis.

V.

An expiry date or date marks where an indication of the age of the goods is likely to
be useful to the consumer or purchaser.

3.2

Prevention of Deception A label on package of prepackaged goods may contain

other information, designs, symbols or pictorial matter, provided that no words,
illustration, symbols, or other matter are used to:

I.

Give an erroneous impression as to the net contents of the package;

II.

Give an erroneous impression as to any ingredient or component of the goods or

that the goods contain an ingredient or component that is not in fact contained in it;

III.

Referring to the nature, origin, type, quality, performance, function, or method of

manufacture or production of the goods that is likely to give an erroneous
impression as to the matter described or depicted;

IV.

To give an erroneous impression as to the country of origin of the goods;

V.

To give an erroneous impression as to the price or unit price of the goods;

VI.

To give an erroneous impression as to ease of maintenance or repair of the goods, or

as to the availability of spare parts for the goods.

V11. To give an undertaking or warranty, expressed or implied, which cannot be satisfied

by the product or the manufacturer.
3.3

Position of Information on Package or on the Goods

3.3.1

The information required by 3.1 shall be placed on the principal display panel of the

package, that is, the part of the package that is displayed or visible to the purchaser or
consumer at the point of sale, which may be:
I.

In the case of a box, the side or surface commonly displayed;

II.

In the case of a cylindrical container, an area covering an arc of 40 percent of the

circumference of the cylindrical surface;

III.

In the case of a bag with equal sides, one of these sides;

IV.

In the case of a bag with sides of more than one size, the size with the largest area;

V.

In the case of a wrapper or confining band that is much narrower than the goods
contained therein, the total area of a ticket or tag attached to the container or to the
goods;

VI.

In the case of an article attached to a display card with which it is sold, the area of
the display card and of the package; and

VII.

In the case of an ornamental package, at the bottom of the package.

3.4

Exemptions for Certain Retail Sales Goods which are repackaged by the retailer
need not be labeled with the information required by 3.1, so long as they are sold or

10

displayed or exposed for sale in close proximity to a notice, card, or statement in

clearly discernible lettering containing the information required by 3.1
3.5

Language to be used on Labels of Prepackaged Goods

3.5.1

All statements required by 4.1 shall be in the English Language, except where the
common name, manufacturers name, or addresses are in other languages.

3.5.2

All statements required by 3.0 shall be printed or written in the English alphabet
with or without accent signs.

3.5.3

All numbers relating to net contents stated on the label shall be given in Arabic
numerals or in words.

3.5.4

Where the label contains information in English and in one or more other
languages, the statements required by 3.1 shall be separate from the statements in
other languages, and placed on the label or package as required by 3.3.

3.6

Information as to Retail Price or Unit Price

3.6.1

The label on a package may include a statement of the price of the goods in the
package.

3.6.2

Where the price of a package of the goods is not marked on the label or on the
package, the price shall be clearly displayed on a card or notice placed in the close
proximity to the place where the goods are displayed or exposed for sale.

3.6.3

Where units of the same goods differ in quantity so that packages containing the
goods are not uniform in net contents, the price of each package and net contents of
each package shall be marked by the packager or retailer on the label, together with
the price for a unit of measurement of the goods.

3.6.4

Where a claim is made:

11

I.

That the goods are sold at a new price which is less than a previous price; or

II.

That an amount has been taken off the price of the goods;

III.
3.7

Then the old and new prices shall be stated in figures of equal size and style.
Warranties or Guarantees No reference shall be made on a label or on a
package to any warranty or guarantee for any goods unless a copy of the warranty or
guarantee is given to the purchaser or consumer at the time he takes possession of
the goods.

3.8

Presentation of Information All information required by this standard to be

placed on a label or ticket shall be clearly presented and readily discernible under
normal conditions of sale.

3.8.1

Where the statements of common name or manufacturers name or manufacturers

address or of country of origin consist of more than one word, the statements
thereof required by 3.1 shall be in letters of identical size and style of print.

3.8.2

Date Markings and Expiry Dates

3.9.1

Where products are liable to deteriorate after the date of manufacture or packaging
so that the quality, safety, hygiene or other desirable characteritics are not likely to
be maintained, the expected shelf life shall be indicated with a date mark, a date of
minimum durability or expiry date.

3.9.2

In addition to the date of minimum durability if there are any special conditions for
storage of the product, it shall be declared on the label if the validity of the date
depends on it.

3.10

Instructions for Use and Information on Source for Spare Parts

12

3.10.1 Instructions for use or care in handling shall be included on the label or
accompanying document, as necessary to ensure correct utilization of the product.
3.10.2 Where any risk to the safety or health of a consumer or user, or where any
significant deterioration of the quality, performance life, durability, or other
property of the goods are not properly stored, handled, transported, used installed,
cared for, maintained or repaired, any appropriate hazard symbol and instructions
for use in English shall be provided either on the label, on the package, on the
goods, or on a card or paper accompanying the goods or package.
3.10.3 Where components of an article are likely to become unserviceable before the end
of the expected life of the article, and where such components are not commonly
available, the instructions for use should indicate the name or appropriate
specification of the component or spare part.
3.10.4 Where no instructions for use are given with the article or goods, the information on
spare parts shall be supplied separately with the goods.

4.0

USE OF STANDARD MARKS

4.1

The law of that Territory shall govern the use of a Standard Mark issued by a
standard organization of a Territory of the Caribbean Community.

4.2

The use of a Standard Mark issued by a standard organization outside the Caribbean
Community shall be in accordance with the rules or laws governing that Standard
Mark applied by the standard organization.

13

4.3

No manufacturer or packager shall use a standard mark on a label, on a package, or

on goods without written authorization in accordance with the laws or rules referred
to in 4.1 and 4.2.

Note: the following bodies in the Caribbean Community issue Standard Marks:
I.

Barbados BNSI

II.

Jamaica BSJ

III.

Trinidad and Tobago TTBS

who should be consulted as appropriate.

5.0

ADVICE ON LABELS

5.1

A manufacturer or packager should consult with a competent authority or a national

standards organization in a Territory of the Caribbean Community, as to whether
any label he uses or proposes to use on prepackaged goods complies with the
provisions of this or any other Caribbean Regional Standard, or of any model
regulations approved by CROSQ referring to labelling.

5.2

Where a competent authority administers a law referring to this or other Caricom

Standards Council standard that makes provision for labelling of goods, the
Caribbean Regional Standards will refer the applicant to that authority for advice on
labels.

14

6.0

CONFLICTS

6.1

In the event of conflict between the provisions of this standard and the labelling
requirements of any Caribbean Regional Standard or model regulations approved by
CROSQ the latter shall prevail.

6.2

In event of conflict between the provisions of this standard and any Caribbean
Regional Standard for the labelling of classes of goods that are sold prepackaged,
the latter shall prevail.

7.

REGISTRATION OF LABELS PROGRAMME

Individual territories should have a Registration of Labels Programme in place.The labels
should be registered with the standards organization or competent authority.

2004 05 12

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