1. The importance of regulatory compliance
In the manufacturing sector, compliance with marking and coding requirements is not just a matter of legality. It’s also about safety and transparency for your consumers. Why? Because the labels and codes found on products provide consumers with important information on aspects such as composition, origin, instructions for use, safety warnings, and more. For example, let’s think of the laws governing the labelling of textiles or IT products and the rules governing the labelling of food or pharmaceutical products, which require strict and precise regulations.
Types of information to ensure that products are safe and traceable throughout the supply chain:
- Expiration date
- Batch number
- Safety warnings
- Storage or maintenance details
- Instructions for use
As a manufacturer, understanding and complying with these requirements is essential to maintain customer confidence and avoid fines or product recalls.
2. Key standards and regulations
In the food sector, regulations from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) (website in French) require specific information on labels: ingredients, allergens, nutritional information, and more. Health Canada imposes strict standards for marking and coding in the pharmaceutical sector. These are all intended to guarantee the traceability and safety of medicines: barcodes, serial numbers, posology, and other details. The ultimate aim is to counter the global threat of counterfeiting.
Standards and regulations vary according to product, industry and geographical location.
Food labelling law
In Canada, the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations govern the labelling of food products. This law requires manufacturers to provide detailed information on ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and expiration dates. In addition, Quebec’s Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) requires labelling to be in French, adding another layer of compliance for manufacturers.
Pharmaceutical products labelling law
Labels of pharmaceutical products sold in Canada must include information on posology, active ingredients, precautions and instructions for use. In addition, the Official Languages Act requires label information to be available in both official languages, English and French. For Quebec, Bill 101 reinforces this requirement by stipulating that the label text must be in French while allowing for an accompanying translation.
Clothing and textile labelling law
The Textile Labelling Act requires manufacturers to clearly indicate fibre composition, washing instructions and country of origin on textile product labels. This law enables consumers to know the quality of the materials and to take proper care of their clothing and other textile articles. Once again, Bill 101 applies to these types of products sold in Quebec.
3. Common challenges and how to overcome them
Conforming to marking and coding requirements can present manufacturers with its own set of challenges. At the top of the list are constantly updating labels to reflect new regulations, managing different code formats for different markets, and maintaining marking equipment.
To overcome these challenges, staying abreast of regulatory changes in your industry is essential. As a modern marking and coding equipment supplier, we’re here to offer you advice and technical support. With a team like DMS, you can rest assured that your systems are up‑to‑date, compliant and working properly.
Working with trusted marking and coding solutions providers like DMS simplifies the understanding of product labelling laws and the process of becoming compliant.
4. Marking and coding technologies
To meet these regulatory requirements, our marking and coding technologies have evolved to be the best solution for your business.
Our technologies enable the printing of clear codes on a wide range of surfaces and materials and are resistant to thermal variations. They also facilitate product tracking throughout the supply chain, making product recalls and quality audits easier.
DMS assists you with product labelling legislation
At DMS Marking Coding, we understand the challenges you face in staying compliant with various product labelling laws. Our marking and coding solutions are designed to meet the most rigorous standards, ensuring the traceability and safety of your products.Please get in touch with a team member today to see how we can help you stay compliant and optimize your production line.