Tightening regulations? Updating labels & packaging doesn’t have to be a Herculean task!

Gepubliceerd op

12 August 2022

Laatste update: 20/11/2024

A look back at the UK’s changing food labelling regulations in 2022. When the UK tightened its requirements for labels on pre-packaged food, European companies faced significant challenges. Historically, food labels needed to comply with strict EU-wide rules designed to facilitate trade through harmonised standards. However, post-Brexit, the UK began setting its own regulations, introducing new obligations for European businesses exporting to the UK market.

Over the past few years, many companies have worked tirelessly to meet these new standards. The process was made considerably smoother with the help of visual content automation.

The challenges of label updates

Updating hundreds or even thousands of labels can be a complex, time-consuming endeavour. In addition to navigating the varying guidelines across countries and products, businesses must address language requirements. With 24 official EU languages and some countries requiring multiple languages on labels, international companies are often tasked with creating numerous label variants for each product.

Even with existing automation tools, adding new details – like a UK importer – often required a redesign and manual data entry. This made the process not only repetitive but also prone to errors.

Automation with DDP Suite makes all the difference

How should it be? Faster. Easier. Fully compliant with all guidelines. Enter the Dynamic Data Publishing Suite (DDPS). DDPS enables you to digitise and automate the creation of labels and other publications more efficiently. Using templates that pull data directly from your existing technology stack, the DDP Suite ensures seamless integration and instant updates. Whether you’re working with InDesign, Photoshop, or other design tools, the DDP Suite syncs effortlessly with your workflow. Any changes in product data are automatically reflected on your labels and packaging.

Moreover, the DDP Suite integrates with virtually any system – from PIM, DAM, and CRM to ERP or even simple Excel files. This provides the flexibility to leverage your current technology without requiring substantial investments in system integration.

Lasting added value DDPS

For food companies operating in the UK market, DDPS not only facilitated swift compliance with the 2022 regulations but also delivered lasting benefits. With real-time data adjustment capabilities, businesses can proactively ensure compliance with evolving regulations and market demands. Beyond the food sector, DDPS has proven to be an invaluable tool for companies managing extensive product portfolios.

The suite digitises every aspect of publication management – from labels and packaging to catalogues, technical sheets, and personalised quotations. The flexibility of DDPS enabled companies to respond quickly to the new 2022 regulations. By 2024 and beyond, they continue to reap the benefits of its scalable, error-free, and efficient workflows.

DDPS: from implementation to optimisation

For companies needing a rapid response to new requirements, DDPS offered a streamlined implementation process – taking just a few weeks from initial quotation to full deployment. This allowed businesses not only to achieve compliance with UK labelling regulations but also to establish a robust foundation for further automation and digitisation of their publishing processes.

When considering the entire content creation and distribution chain – including management, distribution, and analysis in addition to creation – DDPS becomes even more powerful when paired with Digital Asset Management. DAM acts as the driving force behind efficient, scalable solutions for managing the entire content supply chain flow.