Digital Labelling

EU Council Presidency Proposes ESPR Transitional Extension in Omnibus IV Digitalisation Discussions

The EU Council Presidency has issued a March 2026 working note on the Omnibus IV digitalisation and common specifications package, flagging a possible two-year extension of the ESPR transitional period and negotiated compromises on paper instructions, telephone contact options and the governance of common specifications across key product regulations. If agreed in trilogue, these changes would delay some digital product passport timelines and reshape how manufacturers provide safety and compliance information under EU product law, requiring forward planning by companies placing a wide range of goods on the EU market.

22 May 2026, 19:03data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

China NMPA Adds UDI and GMP Infographics to Medical Device Policy Interpretation Portal

China’s National Medical Products Administration has expanded its medical device policy interpretation portal with new infographic and explainer series on unique device identification, manufacturing quality management and full-lifecycle supervision. These visual guides do not change underlying obligations but help manufacturers and regulators align implementation of existing rules and manage compliance more consistently across device portfolios.

20 May 2026, 05:42nmpa.gov.cnChina

China NMPA Launches Cosmetics Electronic Labelling Pilot Programme

China’s National Medical Products Administration has launched a three-year pilot programme from February 2026 for electronic labelling of cosmetics in selected provinces, backed by detailed technical and regulatory requirements for QR codes, digital content and data submission. Cosmetics companies considering participation will need to upgrade labelling and IT systems to meet China’s cosmetics, cybersecurity and data rules, manage dual physical–electronic label obligations, and monitor provincial implementation, enforcement and future nationwide roll-out.

20 May 2026, 05:39english.nmpa.gov.cnChina

EU and Germany Implement Harmonised Legal Guarantee Notice and GARAN Label for B2C Sales from 27 September 2026

From 27 September 2026, EU traders selling goods to consumers must display a standardised legal guarantee notice and, where applicable, a GARAN durability label under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960 and related national rules. Retailers, platforms and producers should now audit product ranges, data flows and contracts so the new notices and labels appear correctly across channels, especially in enforcement‑active markets like Germany where formal information‑duty breaches often trigger complaints and competitor actions.

15 May 2026, 16:23eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionGermany

US Senate Introduces Bill to Expand Electronic-Only Labelling for Devices

In May 2026, US senators introduced S.4519, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act so that required labeling for a broader range of devices could be provided solely by electronic means. If enacted, this would give device manufacturers more flexibility around US labelling formats, potentially lowering printing and distribution costs while requiring careful planning for digital access and usability.

15 May 2026, 16:12congress.govUnited States

Shanghai Customs and MPA Launch Electronic Label Pilot for Imported Cosmetics in Pudong

From 11 May 2026, Shanghai Customs and the Shanghai Municipal Medical Products Administration will enforce an electronic-label pilot for selected imported cosmetics entering through Pudong ports. Importers and their agents must adjust customs declarations and packaging controls to meet new QR-based labelling checks, signalling a shift toward more digital, data-driven supervision of cosmetic imports that could later expand beyond Shanghai.

11 May 2026, 12:06cosmetic.chemlinked.comChina

South Korea MFDS Pilots Phased Cosmetic E-Labelling System Ahead of Planned Cosmetics Act Amendment

South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has run two pilots of a QR code-based electronic labelling system for cosmetics and intends to amend the Cosmetics Act in mid-2026 as a step toward making e-labelling mandatory after 2027. This signals a structural shift in Korean cosmetic labelling, so brands should start building compliant digital label content and accessibility features now to avoid disruption when the framework becomes a legal requirement.

11 May 2026, 11:40cosmetic.chemlinked.comSouth Korea

US Senate Introduces Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 (S. 4322)

The US Senate has introduced S. 4322, the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, a comprehensive bill that would expand FCC authority and modernise accessibility requirements for online video, devices, video conferencing, relay services, and emerging technologies. If enacted, the act would impose wide-ranging new design and customer-service obligations on communications, streaming, and technology manufacturers and service providers over the next decade, making accessibility a core compliance and product-development priority for US-facing digital products and platforms.

3 May 2026, 14:56govinfo.govUnited States

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/879 Correcting Language Versions of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 on Energy Labelling of Smartphones and Tablet Computers

From 10 May 2026, an EU corrigendum (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/879) clarifies how energy labels for smartphones and tablets may be scaled on packaging and confirms that QR codes must remain readable even when labels are reduced in size. This primarily corrects mistranslated language versions, but manufacturers using those languages should review packaging artwork to ensure labels are at least 70% of the original dimensions and QR codes are easily scannable.

23 Apr 2026, 15:17boe.esEuropean Union

California Assembly Amends And Re-Refers Infant Formula Heavy-Metals Testing Bill AB 2302

In April 2026, the California Assembly amended AB 2302 on infant formula heavy-metals testing and consumer disclosure and advanced it to the Appropriations Committee, phasing brand-owner website and QR-code labelling obligations in from 1 January 2028 while retaining strict monthly testing duties for manufacturers. Infant formula manufacturers and brand owners selling into California should plan for accredited monthly testing of each product line and build systems, labels, and online disclosures to publish batch-level aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury results in time for the 2028 start date.

22 Apr 2026, 13:58leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

China Proposes National Standard on General Labelling for Cosmetics (GB 5296.3—202X)

China has notified a draft national standard GB 5296.3—202X to overhaul general labelling rules for all cosmetics sold in China, with WTO TBT comments due by 12 June 2026. If adopted, it will tighten mandatory on-pack and e-labelling requirements for domestic and imported cosmetics, pushing brands to update Chinese-language packaging, ingredient lists, dates and warnings, especially for imported, small-size and children’s products.

18 Apr 2026, 08:33members.wto.orgChina

California AB 2302: Heavy Metal Testing And Digital Labelling For Infant Formula

California’s AB 2302 has advanced in the Assembly and would require monthly testing and digital consumer disclosure of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in all infant formula sold or distributed in the state. If enacted, infant formula manufacturers and brand owners would need to upgrade laboratory programmes, data systems, and QR code labelling to demonstrate control of heavy metals in California-bound products and align with evolving FDA action levels.

16 Apr 2026, 13:39leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

EU Council 4-Column Table On Digitalisation And Common Specifications For PPE, Machinery, Fertilising Products And Batteries Regulations

In March 2026, the Council circulated a four‑column negotiation table on horizontal Regulation 2025/0134(COD), which would digitalise declarations of conformity, instructions and contacts, and enable Commission common specifications across major product regulations for PPE, machinery, gas appliances, fertilising products, batteries and ecodesign. If adopted, this package will force manufacturers and importers to move to fully electronic compliance documentation and digital product passports, adapt to tighter accessibility and paper‑fallback rules, and prepare for a more centralised approach to technical specifications and conformity assessment timelines across the EU single market.

15 Apr 2026, 13:29data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

China NMPA Consults on Draft National Standards for Cosmetic Labelling and Toothpaste Safety

China has initiated consultations on mandatory national standards for cosmetic labelling and the first-ever comprehensive safety framework for toothpaste. Businesses must prepare for a significant overhaul of packaging artwork and safety assessment protocols while navigating new opportunities for digital e-labelling and enhanced ingredient transparency.

3 Apr 2026, 19:25nmpa.gov.cnChina

Connecticut Senate Journal Records Favourable Report For S.B. 118 On Toxic Heavy Metals In Baby Food

Connecticut is advancing legislation to impose strict heavy metal limits and mandatory monthly batch testing for baby food products starting January 2027. Manufacturers should prepare for significant operational shifts toward high-frequency testing and digital transparency requirements, including mandatory QR-code labeling for consumer risk disclosure.

2 Apr 2026, 08:37cga.ct.govUnited States

UK Government Launches Consultations On Major Updates To Product Safety Laws

The UK has launched a major overhaul of its product safety and market surveillance frameworks to modernize compliance for digital and global supply chains. Businesses should anticipate expanded liability for online platforms and the introduction of digital labeling as the government moves toward stricter, more agile enforcement.

1 Apr 2026, 19:55gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Drafts Opinion Amending Product Directives (Including RoHS) on Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament is advancing amendments to digitalize compliance documentation and harmonize technical specifications across thirteen major product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition toward digital conformity data will require manufacturers to modernize product information systems and prepare for standardized digital labeling across multiple regulatory frameworks.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Government Consults on New Core Product Safety Framework

The UK has proposed a modernized, risk-based product safety framework to replace the 2005 regulations and address emerging digital and AI risks. Businesses must prepare for expanded supply chain accountability, stricter online marketplace obligations, and a transition toward digital-by-default product labeling.

1 Apr 2026, 08:08gov.ukUnited Kingdom

South Korea MFDS Outlines 2026 Cosmetics Policy Directions For Safety Assessment, E-Labelling And Industry Council

South Korea has announced a strategic shift toward mandatory cosmetic safety assessments and digital e-labeling, with legislative amendments expected by the end of 2026. Companies must prepare for a more rigorous data-driven compliance framework and digital disclosure requirements as the market moves toward full implementation by 2031.

31 Mar 2026, 19:44cosmetic.chemlinked.comSouth Korea

EU Proposes Major Overhaul of MDR/IVDR to Cut Burdens and Protect Device Availability

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive revision of the MDR and IVDR frameworks to streamline certification and reduce administrative burdens for medical device manufacturers. This shift toward open-ended certificates and risk-based surveillance offers significant operational relief but introduces new reporting complexities for digital health and cybersecurity compliance.

29 Mar 2026, 17:30eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom