Guidance on labelling requirements for biocides: Labelling flexibilities

On this page

• Small package labelling
• Innovative labelling

This page provides information on some of the flexibilities available for biocides packaged in small containers, as well as the requirements for when an innovative label is used.

Small package labelling

In general, the labelling requirements for biocides apply to all container sizes. However, some containers are not large enough to show all the information required by the sections 30 and 31 of the regulations.

Sometimes the immediate container of your biocide may not be large enough to accommodate an inner label that conforms to the requirements under sections 30 and 31. These requirements do not apply to the inner label of your biocide in that container if:

• there's an outer label that complies with the labelling requirements and
• the inner label shows the:
  • brand name
  • intended settings for use
  • net quantity in the package
  • active ingredients and quantities
  • lot number
  • expiry date
    • unless it's a household biocide with a shelf life of more than 1 year and
    • it's sold in a package that contains a quantity of the biocide that may reasonably be expected to be used within 1 year after it's sold
  • name of authorization holder and contact information
  • physical form, unless it is obvious

Find details on each of these criteria in the following sections:

• Principal display panel
• Inner and outer labels

The identification number and the "DIN" designation are not required on the inner label of small packages that meet these criteria. However, we highly recommend that they be indicated if there's enough space.

Designated containers

You do not need to include the following for biocides packaged in designated containers:

• primary hazard statements on your biocide's inner label if your designated container has a net quantity of 60 mL or 60 g or less
• hazard symbols, signal words, or primary hazard statements on your biocide's outer label if your designated container has a net quantity of 120 mL or 120 g or less
• additional statements specific for designated containers on your biocide's inner label if your designated container has a net quantity of 120 mL or 120 g or less

These statements aren't needed in these specific circumstances. But if you have space, you should include them on the label of any biocide packaged in a pressurized container (metal, disposable or other) to help ensure the benefits of the biocide outweigh its risks.

Find details on hazard symbols, signal words, hazard statements and additional statement in the following sections:

• Principal display panel
• Inner and outer labels

Innovative labelling

Innovative labels may be used for small packages that don't have enough space on a standard label to meet the regulatory requirements. They are a way to provide the user with information on the safe and effective use and storage of your biocide.

Examples of innovative labels include peel-back or fold-out. Whatever format you use, the label must still comply with the regulations.

Note: Leaflets, package inserts or any other document that are provided on request and give additional information on the use of your biocide are not an acceptable replacement for adequate inner and outer labels.

Information required on a biocide label must be clearly and prominently displayed. Some of this information should be accessible by the purchaser and user (without requiring that the label be manipulated), including:

• active ingredients and quantities
• information required on the principal display panel
• name of authorization holder and contact information

A statement with an arrow directing the purchaser or user to the rest of the label information on the innovative label should be visible.

To ensure that peel-back labels do not become detached from the biocide's container, under normal use, they should:

• be re-sealable to the container once peeled back
• withstand moisture without detaching from the biocide's container and
• withstand repeated openings and closings without detaching from the biocide's container

Any peel-back label with more than 3 pages should be:

• in the order in which the purchaser or user should read them and
• numbered to indicate the total number of pages
  • for example, 1 of 10 pages, 2 of 10 pages, 10 of 10 pages

Also consider adding the following statement in capital letters to the PDP of the container label and/or the attached booklet:

"IF ANY LABEL INFORMATION IS MISSING, CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER/AGENT/DISTRIBUTOR/US BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT"