The government has today (5 February) issued
updated guidance on
food and drink labelling in the event of a no deal Brexit.
Delivering a deal with the EU remains the government’s top
priority. This has not changed. However a responsible
government must prepare for every eventuality, including a
no deal scenario.
While food businesses will have a 21 month transition
period for the most significant changes to food labels, in
the event of no deal Brexit there are some technical
changes to labels that will be required from day one. For
products placed on the UK market after 29 March 2019, these
changes include:
- The EU emblem must not be used on goods produced in the
UK unless a company has been authorised by the EU to do so;
- The EU organic logo must not be used on any UK organic
products, unless the UK and EU reach an equivalency
arrangement – where both still recognise each other’s
standards - before exit day; and
- It will be inaccurate to label UK food as origin ‘EU’.
Additional information such as signage in shops and online
information will help clarify to the consumer the origin of
the food.
Food and drink products that have already been placed on
the UK market on or before 29 March 2019 can continue to be
sold through until the stocks are exhausted.
For goods placed on the UK market after 29 March 2019
where, as a result of EU Exit, the information is
technically incorrect (for example UK products labelled as
origin ‘EU’), the UK government will encourage enforcement
officers to take a pragmatic approach to enforcement, which
fully protects the interests of consumers while ensuring
industry are able to manage the scale of labelling changes
required.
The EU and other non-EU countries may require wholly
accurate labelling for access to their markets. In these
instances, we would recommend labels are replaced or
over-stickered as required to ensure they are fully
accurate.
A 21 month transition period has been agreed to give
businesses more time to make other labelling changes such
as ensuring there is a UK address for the responsible Food
Business Operator or importer on the label.
There will be a three year transition period for the new UK
Geographical Indication Schemes logo. The new UK logo will
be available from 29 March 2019 so producers have the
option to make GI labelling changes before the end of the
adoption period if they wish.
All changes will be subject to parliamentary process.
