Guidelines for Labelling

Note: Every label must come to the Bureau of Standards Jamaica for approval

Every manufacturer must ensure that his or her product is properly labelled, providing basic, yet important information for the consumers. A label is any written, electronic, or graphic communication about the product on the packaging or on a separate but associated material. For Jamaica, the label must be in English, even if other languages are also included. A label is critical in assisting purchasers or users of the product to determine whether they wish to buy or consume said product. This means that the label should be accurate, true and reflective of the exact nature of the item being offered for sale. The main display panel must bear the common name of the product, along with the brand name and the net contents. Listed below in BOLD CAPS are the requirements as per the guidelines.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LABELS

PRODUCT NAME

NET QUANTITY DECLARATION

The quantity of goods contained in a package, measured in terms of volume, weight (or mass), length or number of items.

NAME & IDENTIFIABLE ADDRESS OF MANUFACTURER/DISTRIBUTOR / PACKER

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

INGREDIENT LISTING

Ingredients should be identified by the common name, chemical name or by the trade name (as established or adopted by BSJ regulations); should be listed in decreasing order and must include additives (preservatives, artificial flavours among others).

Please note that for food products, some additives are to be listed with both their class names and their specific names. See JS CRS 5: 2010 for further information. (Some areas may not be applicable to particular products)

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

While this is currently optional in Jamaica, any food processor who chooses to include a nutritional facts panel must present the nutritional analysis report from an established laboratory facility, to the Bureau of Standards Jamaica.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE/HANDLING

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENT

LANGUAGE – This must be in English

DATE MARK

This may be the expiration date or the best before date.

BATCH CODE

A unique code used by the manufacturer to identify when the product was made to assist with traceability.

OTHER

Manufacturers who wish to use the image of the National Flag of Jamaica on their label must seek permission from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Standards:

Of course, there are several standards which offer specific guidelines for labelling, in general, as well as for particular items. Among the labelling standards which can be accessed at the BSJ to guide preparation of labels are:

JS CRS 5: 2010 (Affirmed 2017) - Labelling of Pre-packaged Food

JS 349 - Labelling of Commodities: General principles

JS 1: Part 4: 2016 - Labelling of Commodities: Household Electrical Appliances

JS 1: Part 15: 1992 - Labelling of Commodities: Household chemicals

JS 350 - Labelling of Pre-packaged Goods

JS 61: 2016 - Jamaican Standard Specification for Coffee

There are some specific product standards that have particular labelling requirements. These include the JS CRS 3: 2010 (Packaged Natural Coconut Water) and the JS CRS 28: 2012 (Poultry and poultry products). Manufacturers should ensure that they refer to these product standards in finalizing their labels. These standards, as well as a wide range of others, can either be viewed or purchased at the Artnel S. Henry Standards and Technical Information Centre (The Library), at our main office in Kingston.