New Huoshan Huangya Packaging and Trademark Rules: Labeling, Printing and Enforcement Tightened Together

To address non-standard tea packaging labels and forged or misused marks in the market, the Huoshan County Administration for Industry and Commerce increased market research, met with the county tea office for dedicated discussion, and recently issued the Notice on Standardizing the Management of Packaging and Trademark Use for 'Huoshan Huangya'. At the same time, the relevant authorities are jointly strengthening market supervision to maintain order in the tea market.

For packaging management, the Notice states that tea producers must hold a production license, use dedicated packaging, and print the QS mark and its number on the packaging label. Packaging labels must comply with the Food Safety Law. Prepackaged food packaging must carry a label showing the product name, specification, net content, production date, shelf life, storage conditions, as well as the operator's name, address, contact details, product standard code, production license mark and number. Operators using general 'Huoshan Huangya' packaging must create their own labels, print them as cards, ensure the content meets legal requirements, and place them in the reserved blank label area on the general packaging. For both dedicated and general packaging, if compliant labels are not printed or attached, the packaging will be treated as 'three-no' food packaging, and enforcement authorities will investigate and handle it according to law.

The Notice also sets rules for packaging printing. Any unit or individual must submit the design draft to the county tea association for review and filing before printing 'Huoshan Huangya' packaging. Enterprises that undertake printing of 'Huoshan Huangya' packaging must have a lawful printing license and file with the association. Otherwise, their trademark use license and printing qualification will be revoked.

For supervision and enforcement, the county's industry and commerce, quality supervision and tea departments will assign personnel and organize management and enforcement teams for joint enforcement. They will manage the tea market around the clock and accept and handle public complaints and reports. Non-standard use of packaging labels or trading in 'three-no' prepackaged products will be investigated, handled and banned according to law. Trademark infringement, adulteration, passing off inferior goods as superior, and other counterfeit or shoddy practices will be resolutely cracked down on, with cases filed and handled according to law.

Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-361914.html