Product labels for imports into Great Britain
The required details and their placement depend on the product rules. For covered electrical equipment and toys, check manufacturer and importer identification, product references, and English safety information. Approve the product, packaging and instructions together. Cambridge China Bridge can coordinate these checks with its staff in China.
Identify the rules before approving artwork
Start with the exact product, intended use and sales destination. Use the UK compliance finder to organise your enquiry, then check the applicable official product guidance. Treat the electrical equipment and toy examples below as examples, rather than a label template for every product.
Keep conformity marking and contact information as separate checks. Our CE and UKCA guide covers the marking decision. Here, build an artwork checklist covering manufacturer details, importer details, product identification, warnings and instructions, with a proposed location for each.
Check manufacturer details and product identifiers
For equipment covered by the electrical safety rules, the manufacturer must provide its name, registered trade name or registered trade mark, postal address, and type, batch or serial number or other identification. These belong on the equipment; where that is not possible, the information goes on its packaging or an accompanying document.
Compare the identifier on the actual goods with the test evidence, declaration and order specification. Ask the factory to demonstrate how its batch reference connects to production records. Keep the printed identifier readable after assembly, and include the approved artwork in your product specification.
Approve importer details and their location
Under the electrical equipment guidance, importer identification includes the importer's name, registered trade name or mark and a postal address, on the equipment or, where that is not possible, its packaging or accompanying documentation. For toys, the guidance also permits these alternatives where the toy's size or nature prevents product labelling, or labelling would require opening the packaging.
Record the applicable placement exception rather than letting the factory choose the box for convenience. Approve the exact business identity and contact address. If details are on an accompanying document, inspect what reaches the customer after cartons are split. Ask for photographs of the finished product and its retail pack, rather than artwork alone.
Check English warnings and instructions
Covered electrical equipment must be accompanied by clear, legible instructions in easily understandable English. For toys, information about hazards, risks and avoiding them must be in English, visible, legible, understandable and accurate, preceded by “Warning” or “Warnings”. The toy guidance specifies placement on the toy, an attached label or packaging, and accompanying instructions.
Check the wording against the actual product and intended use. Have a competent reviewer check the English, then try the instructions with the supplied accessories. Confirm that warnings remain visible when the product is displayed or unpacked. Avoid approving a translated manual that describes a different model or omits a safety step.
Inspect the complete pack before shipment
Give the factory an approved label schedule showing each item of text, its location and the artwork revision. Include photographs of the agreed sample. Use the product label checklist to organise the review, and add category-specific items rather than assuming the examples above are exhaustive.
During pre-shipment inspection, examine finished goods, retail packaging and enclosed instructions together. Match identifiers across them, check the importer address, and compare warnings with approved artwork. Keep photographs and a retained sample. If something is missing or misplaced, agree corrective work and check the corrected goods before releasing the shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put importer details only on the box?
Check the product rule. Electrical equipment normally carries them on the equipment, with alternatives where that is not possible. Toy guidance also allows alternatives where labelling would require opening the packaging.
Is the Chinese factory's address enough?
For covered electrical equipment and toys, importer identification is an additional requirement. Check both business identities and the permitted location of each.
Do imported products need English instructions?
Covered electrical equipment needs clear English instructions. Toy hazard and risk information must be in English. Check your product's applicable rules before approving the manual.
How do I check labels before shipping from China?
Inspect finished goods with their retail packs and instructions. Compare the printed details with approved artwork, match product identifiers to the documents, and verify corrected labels before shipment.