Why Label Review Services Are Essential for Importers and Exporters in Egypt

Product labeling is tightly regulated because it protects consumer rights and ensures fair trade. Different markets have their own labeling regulations that must be followed. In Egypt, ES 1546/2011 is the key national standard that defines labeling requirements based on the product type. Exporters are also advised to consult applicable international standards relevant to their product.

Because each product category has unique regulatory requirements, labels must be reviewed individually to ensure full compliance. When developing a product label, one need to consider elements such as:

• product name and description
• ingredient or composition details
• expiry and manufacturing dates
• origin
• language
• storage and handling instructions
• health or safety warnings
• specific requirements based on the destination market

Common labeling mistakes to avoid

Egypt’s top export destinations where label reviews are commonly required include Greece, Switzerland and New Zealand, with Greece accounting for the highest number of review requests.

Food products require the most attention in label reviews due to strict regulations. Chocolate was the most reviewed category last year, driven by strong demand for regulatory compliance.

Based on our vast experience of reviewing labels, here are the mistakes commonly made when businesses rely on generic labels for multiple markets without adapting them to specific country rules:

• Missing translations for destination market labels (e.g. French, Italian and German in Switzerland, or English and Māori in New Zealand for certain products)
• Incomplete product information (e.g. allergen declarations, nutrition facts not aligned with real product composition, net weight and volume or usage instructions)
• Missing or incorrect country of origin (e.g. “Made in EU” instead of the specific country)
• Design not compliant with target country’s format (e.g. U.S. style for dates MM/DD/YYYY instead of DD/MM/YYYY, tiny fonts or easily removable stickers instead of a permanent label)
• Unclear or misleading claims (e.g. using terms like “organic,” “natural,” or “sugar-free” without legal backing)

These mistakes can cause a lot of problems like the shipment being delayed or rejected, getting fines, or losing the customer’s trust.

Why label review matters?

Here’s how a professional label review can make life easier for your business:

• Avoid delays and rejections: A review spots compliance issues before your goods hit customs.
• Save money: Fixing a label design before printing is cheaper than re-labeling at the port or repackaging after rejection.
• Build trust with consumers: Accurate, transparent labels in the local language show you value quality and safety.
• Meet sector-specific requirements: Whether you’re in food, cosmetics or household products, a review ensures your labels align with the right standards.
• Access markets smoothly: Correct labelling helps ensure acceptance during inspections by top regulatory platforms for international sales, including NFSA, FDA, EU, SFDA, and more.