Legal requirements relating to labelling and measures regulations
Labelling and measures regulations (for packaging) require that packaged products are accurately marked with their net quantity to prevent misleading consumers.
These regulations are crucial for ensuring consumer safety, providing accurate information to support informed purchasing decisions, and promoting fair competition among businesses. The laws protect consumers from being overcharged, and also stipulate that vital details, such as ingredient lists, allergen warnings, nutritional facts, and usage instructions, are all accurate. Combined, the regulations can help prevent potential harm to consumers while also maintaining trust and a positive business reputation.
Whilst GWP Group can help in printing applicable details onto our customers’ packaging, it is their responsibility to provide us with accurate information to do so.
Important note:
This page aims to provide a comprehensive list of regulations that could potentially apply to labelling and measures for packaging. It also indicates which regulations may affect the packaging that you purchase or are looking to source from GWP Group, and areas where we are currently unable to assist.
Please also note that, as all scenarios and applications vary, not all regulations are likely to apply to all labelling and measures for packaging. Please get in touch with us and/or speak with the appropriate regulatory body for further clarification if needed.
The information provided on this page was last updated on 7th November 2025, and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Due to the evolving nature of the regulations detailed on this page, our packaging experts will periodically review and update this content as required.
Table of contents
The following regulations apply to labelling and measures law in the UK. Please note this list may not be exhaustive, and is subject to change as regulations are updated, introduced or replaced. Not all regulations apply to all forms of labelling and measurements.
The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006
The Weights and Measures Regulations 2006 is the UK law that mandates accurate net quantity labelling for pre-packed goods between 5g/5ml and 35kg/25l. It states that:
- All packages (including outer/export packaging if they display quantity) must legally show the net quantity by weight (solid) or volume (liquid).
- If non-food items are labelled with quantity, these regulations apply as though they were packed by the labeller (even if the labeller isn’t the packer).
GWP Group can print required legal information onto the vast majority of packaging types we supply. It is important to note however that we will only print information as supplied by our customers (i.e. in print ready artwork files). As such, it is the responsibility of our customers to ensure that any information supplied for use on their packaging is accurate, complete and meets all regulatory and legal requirements.
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Food Information Regulations 2014 (EU) Reg 1169/2011
The Food Information Regulations 2014 is the UK food labelling law that requires net quantity on food packaging above 5g/ml, it is enforced alongside the Weights and Measures rules, and states that:
- Nutritional and marketing labels must include the net quantity of food in metric units.
- Drained weight must be shown for foods in liquid or ice glaze.
GWP Group can print required legal information onto the vast majority of packaging types we supply. It is important to note however that we will only print information as supplied by our customers (i.e. in print ready artwork files). As such, it is the responsibility of our customers to ensure that any information supplied for use on their packaging is accurate, complete and meets all regulatory and legal requirements.
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The information on this page has been collated, checked and approved by several of our packaging experts:
