This article outlines specific labeling requirements for different categories of goods. No ten-page recitation of laws—just what you need to know in practice.
The main rule: the Ukrainian language
The Consumer Protection Law and the State Language Law are unequivocal: all information on the label regarding safety and consumer properties must be in Ukrainian. Not “may be,” not “should be”—it must be. It can be duplicated in other languages, but Ukrainian is mandatory.
In practice, this is the biggest headache for importers. Goods arrive from China, Turkey, Poland—with labels in English, Chinese, or whatever. And you either have to affix an additional Ukrainian label or negotiate with the manufacturer to print the original packaging with Ukrainian text. The second option is more expensive, but it looks more professional and attracts less attention from the inspector.
Another nuance: you cannot stick a label sticker over the date of manufacture, ingredients, or other important information. It sounds obvious, but we’ve seen this happen dozens of times—a Ukrainian label was stuck on and covered up the original ingredients. The inspector views this as concealing information.
What must be included on any product
There is a basic set of requirements that applies to virtually everything—from nails to chocolate bars. Product name. Name and address of the manufacturer. If the product is imported—the name and address of the importer or distributor in Ukraine. Nominal quantity (weight, volume, length—depending on the type). Date of manufacture and/or expiration date. Storage conditions, if they affect safety. Reference to the standard or technical specifications according to which the product was manufactured.
For products subject to technical regulations, a conformity mark and the number of the declaration of conformity or certificate must be included. For certified products, it may be necessary to affix the mark of the conformity assessment body.
At first glance, the list seems straightforward. But when you start checking specific labels, there’s always something missing. Most often, the importer’s address is omitted. Or they list the manufacturer’s headquarters in Shenzhen but not the Ukrainian importer’s address. And it’s the importer’s address that the inspector looks for first and foremost.
Food Products: a world of requirements
Food labeling is governed by a separate law and technical regulations, and the requirements are significantly more stringent than those for non-food products. In addition to the basic information, the following must be indicated: the full list of ingredients in descending order of weight; nutritional value—calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and salt; allergens—milk, eggs, nuts, gluten, etc., listed separately; storage conditions and usage instructions after opening the package; and the batch number.
Allergens are a separate issue. According to regulations, they must be highlighted in the ingredients list using a font that differs from the main text (bold, italics, or a different size). In practice, we often see labels where allergens are simply listed in the general ingredients list using the same font—this is a violation. And it is precisely because of allergens that food product certification can be delayed: if the labeling does not comply, the documents are returned for revision.
Another pitfall is claims such as “GMO-free,” “organic,” and “diet.” Every such word on the label must be substantiated. If it says “GMO-free,” you must have a laboratory test report. “Organic” requires a certificate of organic production. Without substantiation, this isn’t marketing—it’s a violation of advertising laws and misleading consumers.
Cleaning products and household chemicals: safety first
The labeling of cleaning products is one of the most heavily regulated sectors. And this makes sense: a person could accidentally inhale the product or get it in their eyes, and a child could reach for it under the sink. Therefore, the following are mandatory on the label: a full list of ingredients indicating the concentration ranges of surfactants (less than 5%, 5–15%, 15–30%, more than 30%); hazard pictograms according to the GHS system; a signal word—“Danger” or “Warning”; hazard statements and precautionary statements; first aid instructions.
We had a case where a client imported dishwashing liquid from Turkey. The product was high-quality, the test reports were in order, and the declaration of conformity was processed quickly. But then we realized the label didn’t include the first-aid instructions for eye contact. There was no pictogram either. The shipment was rejected during an inspection at the retail chain—not even at customs, but already on the shelf. We had to re-label the entire shipment. That’s thousands of units.
Tip: You should review the label design for household chemicals with a specialist before printing. Redesigning printed labels costs time, money, and nerves.
Clothing and textiles: composition, size, care
For light industrial goods, labeling includes: the product name; the composition of the raw material (fabric) in percentages—for example, “80% cotton, 20% polyester”; the size according to the current size chart; care symbols (washing, ironing, bleaching, drying, dry cleaning); country of manufacture.
Care symbols are not a design embellishment but a mandatory element under the DSTU EN ISO 3758 standard. Each symbol has a specific meaning: washing temperature, bleaching suitability, and drying method. And they must correspond to the fabric’s actual properties. If it says “wash at 60°C” but the fabric shrinks at 40°C, this is not a labeling error—it is misleading the consumer.
For children’s clothing, the requirements are stricter: it is mandatory to indicate the age group for which the product is intended and to include a fire hazard warning (for sleepwear). We have encountered cases where importers of children’s clothing copy the labeling from adult collections and simply reduce the size—this is a gross violation.
Compliance marks: when and which ones to apply
There is constant confusion here. There are several marks in Ukraine, and each has its own purpose. The mark of conformity to technical regulations is applied to products that have been assessed in accordance with the relevant technical regulations. The “CE” mark is for products that meet the requirements of European directives and are intended for the EU market or have undergone CE certification for the Ukrainian market under harmonized regulations.
A common mistake is to affix the CE mark “just for show” or “because competitors do it.” CE marking is a legal declaration of conformity with specific directives. Affixing the CE mark without undergoing the appropriate assessment procedure constitutes a violation subject to fines. We’ve seen importers slap a CE mark on a label without any declaration. When asked, they say, “Well, the manufacturer in China has a CE mark, so we just left it there.” But that “CE” on Chinese goods often stands for “China Export,” not Conformité Européenne. Visually similar, legally—they have nothing in common.
Common mistakes that cost money
Over the years, we have compiled our own list of the most common labeling mistakes. First on the list is the absence of the importer’s address on imported goods. Second is an outdated or incorrect technical specification number on the label (the product is manufactured according to new technical specifications, but the label was printed with the old number). Third is an incomplete ingredient list on food products, especially the omission of allergens. Fourth is the absence of hazard pictograms on household chemicals. Fifth is labeling only in a foreign language without a Ukrainian translation.
Each of these errors results in either an inspector’s order, the return of the batch from the retail network, or a delay at customs. And in every case, the correction costs more than proper labeling from the very beginning.
The “Standards and Quality” team reviews labeling as part of the overall product certification process. We review label designs before printing, verify compliance with specific regulations and standards, and if something is wrong, we let you know right away—not after the batch has already been printed. Bring your design in for review—it’s faster and cheaper than re-labeling ten thousand units.
