Overview of the different labeling and marking requirements, including any restrictive advertising or labeling practices and where to get more information.
Last Published: 6/21/2019

Manufacturers should be mindful that, in addition to the EU’s mandatory and voluntary schemes, national voluntary labeling schemes might still apply. These schemes may be highly appreciated by consumers, thus become unavoidable for marketing purposes.

Manufacturers are advised to take note that all labels require metric units although dual labeling is acceptable. The use of language on labels has been the subject of a Commission Communication, which encourages multilingual information, while preserving the right of member states to require the use of the language of the country of consumption.

The standard U.S. label does not comply with the EU’s labeling requirements.  On December 13, 2014, the EU’s new “Food Information to Consumers (FIC)” Regulation 1169/2011 became applicable and introduced new obligations and changes to the existing rules.  The FIC regulation established new horizontal labeling requirements and repealed labeling directive 2000/13/EC, as well as nutrition labeling directive 90/496/EEC and warning labels directive 2008/5/EC.

Detailed information on this labeling requirements can be found in the GAIN report “How to comply with the EU’s new food labeling rules”
The European Union Country Commercial Guide

Key Links:
CE Marking
Revised CE Marking Laws Applicable in 2016
Harmonized Standards
New Legislative Framework

The Eco-label
The EU eco-label is a voluntary label, which U.S. exporters can display on products that meet high standards of environmental awareness. The eco-label is intended to be a marketing tool to encourage consumers to purchase environmentally friendly products. The criteria for displaying the eco-label are strict, covering the entire lifespan of the product from its manufacture, use, and disposal. These criteria are reviewed every three to five years to take into account advances in manufacturing procedures. There are currently 30 different product groups, and approximately 1,300 licenses have been awarded for several hundred products.

Applications to display the eco-label should be directed to the competent body of the member state in which the product is sold. The application fee will be somewhere between EUR 275- 1600 (USD 325-1,890) depending on the tests required to verify if the product is eligible, and an annual fee for the use of the logo (typically between $480 - 2000), with a 20 percent reduction for companies registered under the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or certified under the international standard ISO 14001. Discounts are available for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Key Links:
Eco-label Home Page: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/
Eco-label product catalogue: http://ec.europa.eu/ecat/
Product Categories eligible for the Eco-label: http://ec.europa.eu/ecat/products/en/list

In view of the complexity and rapid change in marking, labeling and testing requirements in Spain, U.S. exporters are advised to request pertinent instructions from their importers prior to shipment.
Basic labeling requirements apply in certain product categories:

  • Electrical products that operate in a range of 50 to 1,000 volts alternating current or 75 to 1,500 volts direct current must comply with the EU low-voltage directive. There are three accepted forms of proof of conformity with this regulation: a mark issued by an authorized EU agency, a certificate issued by an approved EU authority or a declaration issued by the manufacturer, which can self-certify the product.
  • Used equipment: Spain now allows the entry of used equipment, material and goods subject to the same standards concerning safety as new imports in the same product category.
  • Foodstuffs: The Directorate General of Health implements human consumption standards for the preparation, residue content and storage media for virtually all foodstuffs. Labeling must conform to EU requirements and must be in Spanish.
  • Food and Animal Feed: Genetically modified organism- (GMO) containing products must be labeled “contains GMOs”.   “Traceability” through the production chain is required by the new legislation.  The GMO content of products must be documented along the production chain and kept on file for five years.
  • Agricultural products: Labeling requirements are fully harmonized with the EU labeling system and labels must be in Spanish.
The 2002 EU general food law established general principles and introduced mandatory traceability of the feed and food chain as of January 1, 2005. For specific information on agricultural standards, please refer to the  Foreign Agricultural Service’s website.
  • Textiles: Customs and point-of-sale regulations require that all textile goods and ready-made clothing have a Spanish label. Standard Spanish textile nomenclature and content requirements must be stated on the label. Requirements relating to textile content, labeling and packaging are specific and extensive.
  • Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: These goods are subject to technical inspection and registration by the Directorate General of Health prior to entry. There are also detailed marking and labeling requirements, somewhat similar to those for foodstuffs, which include detailed chemical composition.
  • Fertilizers and Fungicides: Imported fertilizers must be registered with the local Ministry of Agriculture. Inspection and analysis will be performed prior to customs clearance.
     

The Ministry of Agriculture must approve all printed advertising and publicity materials, and labels must be in Spanish and include detailed precautions. The Ministry web page includes a link for “phytosanitary products” and the on-line register.   

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.