UK Perfume Packaging Information, Requirements & Laws

Are you in the process of designing your cologne or perfume packaging?

Then there are a few essential design elements that have to go onto your packaging.

Perfume packaging information in the UK

Although the UK has left the EU, certain elements of past legislation still remain. Formally called 'retained EU law', these rules will remain until the UK passes its own legislation on such topics.

One of the remaining pieces of EU legislation that still applies to the UK is Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. 

These standards require any product being applied to the skin to meet certain health and safety standards, but the packaging that product comes in must also be labelled appropriately.

From a legal point of view, it's a necessity, but it's also an opportunity for your branding.

Let's take a look at the information that has to go on your perfume packaging.

Information pertaining to products made in the EU or UK

Products made in the EU require the name or registered business name and address of the company to be printed on the packaging.

Weight or volume

The nominal content at the time of packing the product needs to be printed on the outside of the product.

This can either be in weight or in volume.

Use by date

Below is the EU's symbol used for 'best before'.

This symbol, or the words 'best used before the end of' needs to be on the packaging, along with the date.

Shelf life after opening

For cosmetics that don't have a best before date, they must have the following symbol.

The number of months that the product is safe to use must be printed within the symbol.

Correct use

Information about how the product cannot be used should appear on the packaging.

For example, do not get the product into your eyes, and how to treat the problem if that does happen.

Batch number

A batch number or reference to identify the final product and trace its production process.

Ingredients

A list of ingredients must be listed on the product packaging. This list must be started with the word 'ingredients'.

The ingredient list must be visible to the consumer at the time of purchase. Therefore, it should be placed on the box or secondary packaging.

Packaging information: Primary or secondary packaging?

It's important to note that the different types of packaging will require different information.

For example, the label on the glass bottle requires similar, but slightly different information to what's on the box that the bottle is packaged in.

EU regulations refer to two types of packaging for cosmetics:

• the container (often referred to as primary packaging) is the packaging that comes in contact with the perfume or cosmetic product itself
• the packaging (often referred to as secondary packaging), usually in the form of a thin, cardstock box, designed for retail store shelves.

All of the above information must be printed on both the primary and secondary packaging. 

The only exception to this is the list of ingredients. The list of ingredients can be printed on the packaging only.

Fonts and lettering

Fonts and lettering play an important aspect of packaging design.

Cosmetic packaging requirements state that the lettering must be indelible, easily legible and visible in terms of contrast with the background of the packaging.

Names and addresses may be abbreviated, as long as the person and address can be easily identified and used accordingly.

The minimum size of the font is dependent on the volume of the package.

Languages

The language of the information printed on the primary and secondary packaging of your perfume or cologne is determined by the state of the EU where the business is registered.

Perfume packaging information and design

If you need to design packaging with all the above information and logos, while also being creative, use Packhelp's online designer

Packhelp's online designer makes it simple to create perfume or cologne packaging with your logo, branding, and all other necessary information.

See our range of customised perfume boxes here