lautnusantara.com People like to say, "Don't judge a book by its cover." There's one problem—most of them are lying. They don't just judge books, but all sorts of products based on their packaging. In fact, at least one-third of a product purchase decision is based on its packaging. That's why it is so critical to get your product labels right.

Getting it right comes down to three main factors: cultural appropriateness, accurate translation (when needed), and compliance with local regulations.

A successful product label is more than just text. It's like a mini-advertisement for your product. And like any other advertisement, if you don't take local culture into account, your sales could tank.

There are many examples of labeling mistakes. Just look at these four examples of poor translation packaging. Now, once you're done laughing, take another look. It's worth noting that it's not just a translation error that can cause problems: Queen Love’s “Virginity Soap” is hilarious precisely because it is so out of step with cultural expectations in the Western world.

Your product packaging may not just need to be translated. It may need to be fully redesigned to appeal to local audiences. That's why your choice of translation service provider is important.

Accurate Translation

Whether shopping in a store or online, labels are where customers look for vital information about their potential purchase. Depending on the product, a label may list ingredients and composition, directions for use, safety information, and much more.

A product's name and brand elements can be altered from the original to ensure cultural appropriateness. However, there is no such flexibility when it comes to the information customers need to make a purchasing decision or keep themselves safe. The accurate translation of this kind of information is non-negotiable.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance includes accurate translation, where required. However, there is more to it than that. Labeling regulations also govern the kind of information you include on a label, how it is presented, and sometimes even the font size used.

Failing to meet product labeling requirements for your target geographic region will not only make your product less appealing to customers; it will also leave your business vulnerable to legal liability and compliance risk. Because regulations vary from country to country (and sometimes even between states), the potential for costly errors increases as your business expands into other territories.

Retail Labels for Food

In general, food product labels must provide consumers with information about the product's ingredients (including potential allergens), expiration dates, country of origin, and nutritional information. The address of the manufacturer or distributor is also a mandatory inclusion.

US Food Labeling Requirements

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates most food labels. However, meat, poultry, and eggs fall under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Agriculture, while the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau governs the sale of alcohol, including its labeling.

States may also impose their own labeling requirements. And if you plan on selling your food products in other countries, the requirements get even more complicated.

Canadian Food Labeling Requirements

In Canada, food labeling requirements are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. Mandatory information must be provided in both French and English, with some exceptions for specialty foods, local foods, and market-test foods.

The net quantity symbol must also be written in both English and French, as well as using units of measure that are appropriate for local conditions. "Best before" and "packed on" dates must be formatted as Year/Month/Date.

Mexican Food Labeling Requirements

Mexican food labels must comply with Mexican Official Standard NOM-051. As you'd expect, this includes standard information like ingredients, allergens, country of origin, etc. All information must be in Spanish with appropriate date formats and units of measure.

But there's more... Mexico's food labeling laws now mandate specific warnings to help reduce malnutrition and obesity. Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, or calories are required to carry a black octagon-shaped warning label. Products that contain caffeine or added sweeteners are required to carry a warning label indicating that they are not suitable for children. In addition, these products are not allowed to use child-friendly brand elements like cartoon characters, pets, celebrities, or athletes.

Organic Food Labels

Organic foods must be certified to contain at least 95% organic ingredients, with no synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, biotechnology, synthetic ingredients, or irradiation.

Retail Labels (Non-food)

Regulations for non-food retail labels vary depending on the product and the country or region in which it is sold. However, as with food products, some elements are standard almost everywhere.

• Country of origin;

• Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor;

• A description of the product, including its contents, ingredients, and the quantity of product included. You may also include a serial or batch number for tracking purposes;

• Marks of compliance for specific regulatory standards.

It should go without saying, but just in case... all of this information needs to be provided in the local language or languages of the country where you are selling. Many countries have additional requirements for products intended for infants and children, as well as for potential hazards such as electronics.

Labeling Requirements for Electronics

Electronic devices make the world go round. However, a faulty wire or poorly manufactured battery can lead to a fire or even an explosion. As such, electronic labels must include safety information like voltage, power rating, output power rating, and warnings against improper use.

It is recommended (but not required) that electronics sold in the US include a UL compliance mark, which states that the product has been designed and manufactured to specific safety standards. In Canada, not only must electronic devices meet safety standards, but a compliance mark such as UL, ULC, CSA, or TUV SUD is required for some electronic devices in some provinces. Meanwhile, electronic devices sold in the European Union require a CE mark on their labels.

Some electronic devices sold in the US must have an FCC compliance mark to show that the device complies with FCC regulations on electromagnetic interference. In Canada, you need the equivalent ISED certification number.

Electronic goods entering Mexico must comply with NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-024 in terms of labeling. It is a best practice to obtain a Constancia de Conformidad (Certificate of Conformity) to ensure these requirements are met.

A Fully Compliant Retail Label

No matter what you are selling, ensuring your labels are compliant with your target region is critical. The US, Canada, Mexico, and the EU all require your product packaging to be in the local language. In Canada, this means your labels must be in both English and French. In Mexico, it means Spanish.

Choosing a Labeling Translation and Compliance Partner

This article is meant to provide a brief overview of the labeling requirements in these different regions. If we were to include every regulation that may apply, it would be a book, and a very thick one at that. The bottom line is this: If your labels don't have all the information they need, you can't sell your product. And if your products are recalled or held at the border, you are losing money.

Our global translation and compliance experts are on hand to help you get it right from the very beginning. Our international labeling and compliance services help ensure your product packaging meets all of the requirements for your target region.

If you are interested in our  OCTOPUS WHOLE CLEANED BALL TYPE, OCTOPUS WHOLE CLEANED FLOWER TYPE please do not hesitate to contact us through email and/or whatsapp.