The UK government has announced a delay to import controls on EU goods entering Great Britain siting the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the supply chain and the current rise in global energy costs.
Food labelling rules that are set to apply from 1st October 2022 (required on importing products of animal origin) will now come into force on 1st January 2024. Food businesses have until 31st December to adopt the new markings.
Defra said in an official statement that the decision was “in line with protecting consumers from unnecessary costs.”
Delaying the new labelling requirements will mean that some labelling terms and EU addresses (in relation to the importer or food business operator address requirement) will continue to be permitted in the GB market for an additional 15 months.
Following a formal agreement from both Welsh and Scottish governments, these changes will apply across the whole of the UK.
The delays will impact upcoming changes to Food Business Operator (FBO) address requirements, labelling of quick frozen foodstuffs and caseins and caseinates.
For beef, veal and minced meat placed on the GB market, a business can continue to refer to ‘EU’ or ‘non-EU’ when the label does not list each country of origin until 31st December 2023. However, from 1st January 2024 ’UK’ or ‘non-UK’ must be used when the label does not list each country of origin.
Finishing existing stock
In the statement, Defra said that the delay of import controls is to further help UK food businesses. It commented: “This allows FBOs to continue to finish existing stocks of labels, wrapping and packaging carrying the ‘UK/EC’ identification mark owned by the food business operator at the end of the Transition Period.”
Defra also said that the delay is not intended to enable businesses to replenish stocks of labels, wrapping and packaging carrying the ‘UK/EC’ identification mark after the end of the transition period. It has also encouraged businesses to adopt the new markings as soon as possible following the end of the transition period.
