Labelling Fact Sheet

Summary

• Basic information under The Consumer Packaging & Labelling Act

Common or generic name of product in English and French.

Net contents by weight, volume, count, or measure in metric units. Type size of declaration in direct relation to size of package.

Name and address of a responsible party - manufacturer, packager, or retailer.

In addition:

• Agricultural products under The Agricultural Products Standard Act and various Provincial Acts must state the established grade designation as applicable. (i.e.) eggs - CANADA A LARGE, etc.; Potatoes - CANADA NO. 1, CANADA NO. 2; Frozen French Fries - CANADA FANCY; canned peaches - CANADA FANCY; etc.,

• Foods with more than one ingredient under The Food and Drugs Act must declare:

A list of ingredients in descending order or by percentage in English and French.

A "Best Before Date" on products with a shelf life of ninety (90) days or less, except meats packaged at retail level, which must show the packaged date.

• Household chemicals under The Hazardous Products Act

Specified household chemicals must carry a warning in print and by symbols showing the nature and degree of hazard. Poisonous household chemicals must also specify the poisonous substance by name and first-aid treatment. Warning must be in English and French.

• * Textile articles under The Textile Labelling Act require a declaration of:

Fibre content by generic name and percentage in descending order of predominance.

Either the name and address of a responsible party or a CA number registered with Industry Canada.

* NOTE: CARE LABELLING AND CANADA STANDARD SIZING are not mandatory; however, if they are used, they must comply with the standard requirements.

• Obliteration of the required labelling information with price stickers or by any other means is contrary to the legislation and hides information of value to the consumer.

• Institutional Pack

Products packaged for sale to institutions or industry (including restaurants) are exempt from many of these labelling requirements. The required markings may appear on the packing cases but not on the individual package. When these packages are offered for sale to the general public, they are in violation of the Acts mentioned previously.

Some examples of such packs are:

Disposable foam cups and paper plates
Frozen fruits and vegetables (french fries)
Frozen fruit pies, etc.
Industrial solvents and cleaners

Products in violation are subject to SEIZURE. Repeated violations could result in PROSECUTION.

These are the primary labelling requirements of the Acts mentioned. For more detailed information on these Regulations and the exceptions, contact Industry Canada, Competition Bureau toll free at 1-800-348-5358 or visit the Web site http://cb-bc.gc.ca/epic/internet/incb-bc.nsf/en/home

Labels are the most cost effective way to apply the Universal Product Code (UPC) because of the production time saved.

For products sold only in Canada, contact:

Electronic Commerce Council of Canada
Room 301
885 Don Mills Road
Don Mills, Ontario
M3C 1V9
Toll-free: 1-800-567-7084
Telephone: 416-510-8039
Web site: http://www.eccc.org

For products to be sold internationally, contact:

Uniform Code Council Inc.
7887 Washington Village Drive, Suite 300
Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. 45459
Phone: 937-435-3870
Fax: 937-435-7317
E-mail: info@uc-council.org
Web site: http://www.uc-council.org

Any hazardous materials that will be shipped under regulation contact:

International Compliance Centre
Unit 7 - 205 Matheson Boulevard East
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1X8
Phone: 1-888-977-4834 or 905-890-7227
Fax: 905-890-7070
http://www.thecompliancecenter.com

Prepared by: Saskatchewan Regional Economic and Co-operative Development