How we work
The regulation states that the consumer must easily understand the information. It leaves the decision on which language that is to each member state, which is why the honest answer to 'which languages do I need' is usually 'more than you think'.
Each member state determines the language requirement for its own market. Several accept only their national language, some accept a neighbouring language, and a few accept English for certain categories. The rule can also differ between safety warnings and instructions.
Rather than tracking twenty-seven variable requirements, we include all 24 official languages on the artwork. The label remains compliant if you add a market later without needing a reprint.
Warning texts are legal texts. 'Keep away from open flame' has a standard formulation in each language, and machine-generated translations that are merely understandable may be perceived as improvised by inspectors and consumers alike.
We use standard formulations and typeset them properly, rather than pasting machine output and hoping diacritics survive printing.
Warnings are grouped by language with a two-letter prefix, set at a minimum x-height, and ordered so that the languages of your declared markets appear first. When space is limited, the core information appears on the product, with additional languages on the packaging or leaflet.
Free of charge. You update the record, we reissue the files, and existing printed labels remain valid because the code on them points to the record rather than a static file.
Some member states require only their national language. Others accept a second language, typically for technical instructions rather than safety warnings. A few accept English for professional products but not for consumer goods.
Since these requirements are embedded in national law rather than in EU regulation, they can change without European announcements. Including all 24 languages eliminates the need to monitor twenty-seven legislatures.
Outside the EU, the logic differs: Canada mandates two languages by law, Australia requires one, and the United States does not require any but generally uses English in practice.
Diacritics influence legibility. Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, and Lithuanian all include diacritical marks that may disappear at small sizes or in condensed fonts, and a warning that cannot be read is not effective.
We set warnings with adequate leading and never below the minimum x-height, avoiding all-caps blocks in languages where capitals obscure diacritics.
Each safety phrase has a standard equivalent in each language, used consistently across the sector. Changing it because a new translation sounds better creates discrepancies that inspectors will notice.
We maintain a fixed glossary per language and reuse it across your products, ensuring consistency from the first to the fifteenth label.
| Market | Languages on the label |
|---|---|
| European Union | National language of each country of sale; we supply all 24 |
| Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | National languages, covered by the EU pack |
| United Kingdom | English |
| Canada | English and French |
| United States | English in practice; Spanish common but optional |
| Australia and New Zealand | English |
The same information, in the order an inspector or reviewer encounters it.
For some categories in certain member states, yes. Relying solely on English across the Union can lead to listings being withdrawn.
No. We translate and typeset the mandatory safety texts; branding content remains your responsibility.
They follow EEA rules and their own languages; the EU pack covers their requirements.
Instructions follow the same national requirements; most clients print only the markets they sell in and keep the rest digital.
You may omit languages for markets you do not sell in, and add them later free of charge.
We do, based on a fixed glossary, and you can receive the file to review with your local team.
Print-ready artwork for the markets you sell in, a permanent code with a public record, and a free reissue whenever your details change. Seven days free, no credit card required.
EU Label Compliance