Implementing labelling regulations with the help of PIM systems
The implementation of labelling regulations poses challenges for companies in a wide range of sectors. In the food industry, for example, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information must be displayed.
PIM systems (PIM = Product Information Management) can help to implement legal requirements. In this article, we explain how this can be done.
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In short: How do PIM systems help with the implementation of labelling regulations?
PIM-Systeme fungieren als Single Source of Truth, das bedeutet, dass alle projektrelevanten Daten für alle Kanäle in einem System gespeichert werden können. Neben Basisinformationen wie Produktnamen und -beschreibungen können auch gesetzliche Kennzeichnungspflichten umgesetzt werden. Da die Ausspielung der Artikelstammdaten auch automatisiert erfolgen kann, sind Webshop, digitaler Katalog, CRM und alle weiteren Kanäle immer up-to-date.
Labelling requirements are everywhere
There are a variety of industries where labelling requirements exist to inform consumers about certain aspects of a product. Some of the most important industries where labelling requirements exist are:
Food industry: in the food industry, food products must be labelled with information on the list of ingredients, nutritional information, allergens, origin, shelf life and storage according to the Basic Foodstuffs Regulation (LMIV). This information must be clearly and conspicuously displayed on the packaging to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and to protect their health. In addition, e-commerce food retailers must share the same information through their platform. This area is becoming increasingly important as the share of online food purchases continues to grow.
Construction industry: In the construction industry, products such as paints, adhesives, glazes, cleaners and solvents need to be labelled with warnings and safety instructions to protect the health and safety of consumers as well as the environment.
Automotive industry: In the automotive industry, there are numerous labelling regulations to be observed that relate to various aspects. These include, for example, fuel efficiency, exhaust emissions and vehicle safety features. Vehicle manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with the applicable norms and standards and must prove this through appropriate labelling and certification. In addition, vehicles must be labelled with information on the manufacturer, model and technical data.
Timber industry: In the timber industry, timber products must be labelled in accordance with the Timber Trade Regulation (HolzhandelsV) and the FLEGT Regulation in order to make the origin of the timber traceable. In addition, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certify wood products from sustainably managed forests.
Paper industry: In the paper industry, paper products must be labelled in accordance with the Paper Labelling Ordinance (PKV) to ensure the traceability of fibre sources and the protection of forests and biodiversity….
Furniture industry: In the furniture industry, furniture products must be labelled according to the Furniture Labelling Regulation (MKV) to ensure the traceability of materials and the safety of products. In addition, certain furniture, such as children’s furniture, must be labelled with warnings and safety instructions.
Recycling industry: Companies that manufacture their products from recycled waste must ensure that they meet the requirements of the End of Waste – Treatment of Waste Regulation (EOTR) and that information on the composition and origin of the items is easily accessible.
We could certainly go on with this list. However, the above examples already give a very good impression of the fact that numerous companies are confronted with labelling regulations. It does not matter whether they are active in e-commerce, stationary trade or both.
Unik has made it its mission to be the preferred partner for on-the-go supply. ESYON has realised the web shop of Unik Austria.
“The possibility to centrally manage LMIV data was one of the main reasons why we chose Perfion. ESYON was the only provider to bring comprehensive know-how about all components that are crucial for the integration of an e-commerce platform in combination with Perfion as a product information management system.”
– Thomas Brandstetter, Marketing Manager at Unik
Penalties for non-compliance
With labelling regulations, the legislator wants to protect the interests and health of consumers. Non-compliance with legal labelling regulations therefore entails sanctions depending on the scope and severity of the violation. These range from fines and product recalls to criminal prosecution and sales bans. In addition, there is often a loss of reputation, which can also cause lasting damage to your business.
The use of a PIM system is recommended so that you can maintain an overview of the legal requirements relevant to your business and effectively implement labelling regulations.
How can PIM systems help with compliance with labelling regulations?
PIM systems simplify the organisation, storage and management of product master data. They offer a number of benefits, from which opportunities arise to support you and your company in complying with labelling obligations. We will now explain what these are.
Centralised data management
PIM systems enable centralised management of product data, including information required for compliance with labelling regulations. Centralised management allows companies to ensure that data is accurate, consistent and contains all relevant information. The PIM thus forms a single source of truth.
Automation of labelling processes
By automating labelling processes, companies can ensure that labels are accurate, complete and contain all relevant information. This can facilitate compliance with labelling regulations and reduce the error rate. Especially when implementing standards such as LMIV, EOTR, etc., automation offers great added value. Changes to item master data only need to be adjusted once in the PIM. The adjustment is automatically transferred to all channels.
Management of product variations
If you offer your products in different variations, labelling errors can quickly creep in due to similarities. PIM systems help prevent such errors. Labels that contain legal information can also be controlled via the PIM.
Support for multilingual labelling
When a company operates in different countries, supporting multilingual labelling can be a challenge. PIM systems can help manage multilingual labelling and ensure that all labelling is correct and complete.
Low-code actions for LMIV management
Another advantage is the PIM system Perfion, which has so-called low-code actions. With Perfion, customers can manage their LMIV information quickly and easily, among other things. The low-code actions make it possible to automate procedures and processes for managing the LMIV data, which saves time and resources and increases the accuracy of the data. Users of the Actions can quickly and easily automate complex processes for managing LMIV data. This saves time and reduces human error.
Best Practice: Managing Labelling with Perfion
Perfion is a renowned PIM system that helps companies increase their productivity and effectiveness. The system can also help you manage product labels. There are essentially five steps involved.
Capture labelling requirements: Perfion allows you to define and capture specific labelling requirements. You can identify required information yourself and define your own labelling rules. There is no limit to the number of fields.
Create labelling templates: You can create labelling templates based on your specific requirements. These templates can be created for different product types and categories and include all required labelling information.
Automation: Perfion automates the labelling process by automatically collecting the required information from other systems such as ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning), PLMs (Product Lifecycle Management) and external databases (e.g. Markant) and inserting it into the labelling templates. The PIM system also validates the labelling information to ensure that it is correct and complies with labelling regulations.
Language version management: Multilingual management of labels is fully supported. This includes both Unicode and UTF-8 character sets, as well as the ability to capture and manage language-specific labelling information.
Change monitoring: Perfion automatically monitors all changes to tagging information and ensures that they comply with previously defined requirements. The PIM also logs all changes and allows users to approve, reject or comment on changes.
ESYON, your Perfion Solution Partner
ESYON is a certified Perfion Solution Partner and has already implemented numerous PIM projects for medium-sized companies. Bernd Beiser, Managing Director of Perfion GmbH, describes the cooperation with ESYON like this:
“ESYON has been a reliable partner in the implementation of our e-commerce projects for years. The support goes far beyond the mere integration of the Perfion PIM system. The ESYON team advises customers on how to use Perfion and supports them in integrating the solution into their business processes. “
We also realise your PIM project
Would you like to use a PIM to manage your product data? Then get in touch with us. In a non-binding initial meeting, we will discuss the requirements and possibilities for your project.
FAQ on labelling regulations
Where are there labelling regulations?
Labelling regulations exist in many areas, for example in the food, construction, wood, paper or automotive industries. The information that traders and manufacturers are obliged to provide is regulated by law. The regulations may differ depending on the country of destination.
What happens if I violate the labelling regulations?
Anyone who violates labelling regulations must expect sanctions that vary depending on the scope and severity of the violation. Frequently, fines and criminal prosecution are to be expected. However, violations can also result in recalls or a general ban on sales. If the case achieves a certain media resonance, the company is also threatened with serious damage to its image.
Do different labelling regulations apply if I sell internationally?
Depending on the industry, labelling regulations may differ if you sell to different target countries. To keep track of this, it is advisable to manage labelling processes in PIM systems.
Can I automate the labelling of my items?
Companies can and should automate the labelling of their goods to minimise sources of error and implement legal requirements as efficiently as possible. This is especially true when it comes to continuous quantities such as the best-before date or batch numbers.
