CBD Labeling Regulations For Packaging Products
As a result of legalization across countries and states, Cannabidiol (CBD) and Marijuana have steadily grown in popularity in recent years. This has led to products being packaged and sold on a much larger and more automated scale than ever before. However, one of the common hurdles that companies face before starting their packaging is fully understanding CBD labeling requirements.
For those of you who are curious about these requirements and want to know more about starting a CBD or marijuana related business, keep reading to see an in-depth look at all there is to know about CBD labeling requirements.
The CBD And Marijuana Industry Keeps Getting Bigger
Cannabis-derived compounds offer potential opportunities to consumers and the FDA has acknowledged the significant interest in these possibilities. The recent legalization in certain states has completely shifted perception of the drug.
In 2019, it was predicted that the recreational cannabis market would grow by more than 30 percent by 2025. The main reasons being that availability of CBD and Marijuana would increase and prices would drop. With medicinal and recreational marijuana being legalized in several states, more consumers will explore the benefits of CBD and Marijuana products.
Due to the expected increase in demand for these products, manufacturers are now looking for ways to help to grow and upcoming cannabis business owners to face this challenging market. One way to stay ahead of the competition is to stay up to date on market research. Additionally, cannabis business owners need to understand the legal requirements of labeling and packaging CBD. Only those who are focused on providing flexible solutions will adapt well to changing consumer needs.
Private Labeling Opportunities
Just like any other consumer product, half of a business’s success lies in marketing. Cannabis companies agree that a large part of their branding and marketing initiatives depends on how they package and label their products. To maximize profits, these companies will often look for custom labeling options that are cost-effective for their products. Also, they should ensure they meet all legal requirements according to state-by-state regulations.
Cannabis products are normally packaged in small quantities and come in different variations. Moreover, there are a bunch of warnings that need to be added to each package. This means there is a great deal of information that needs to be printed on labels. Due to several updates and restrictions, cannabis companies have faced a large challenge trying to keep up with labeling orders. This is why companies need to advance their digital printing capabilities and seek economical solutions for their customers to meet the changing demands in the industry.
Marijuana Labeling Requirements
Companies packaging and labeling marijuana and any other type of cannabis are under strict supervision. Regulatory authorities ensure that labeling laws are followed. Keep in mind that every state that has legalized the sale of marijuana sets its own set of rules to be followed in regards to marijuana products labeling.
Every marijuana retailer must ensure they follow these common label regulations:
State Requirement Warning Symbols
In every legal state across the USA, there are specific warning symbols that must be placed on your packaging label. If you are packaging CBD and Marijuana products for distribution in multiple states, you will need a dynamic label printer to seamlessly switch between labels. Here is an image of the warning symbols for each state.
Physician and Patient Information
Every state that has legalized medical marijuana requires patients to produce a prescription. The medical marijuana label is required to adhere to pharmaceutical labeling requirements which include the prescribing physician information and the patient’s identification.
Active Ingredients
States require that every label should list active ingredients in their products on the label. That includes the percentage of content by weight.
Expiration and Testing
Some states require that testing should be done on products before they can be sold to consumers. In such cases, labels are required to include testing dates and detailed results. The information should include quality testing for biological contaminants, pollutants, solvents, or pesticides as mandated by the state.
Manufacturer Information
Some states demand that the manufacturer’s information should be included on the label. The information should include the brand name of the product, the cultivation center, and the name of the producer. In some cases, the label should include the product’s distributor.
Visibility
Most states demand that marijuana labels should be conspicuous and unobstructed on the packaging.
Font and Wording
All labels should be printed in clear fonts that are legible. The wording should be in English.
Laws surrounding cannabis are always changing. This means that all businesses involved in marijuana manufacturing and selling need to be constantly adapting to these changes. They need to be able to update their label information for them to stay within compliance and maintain safety on a moment’s notice. So it is paramount to be able to produce your own labels. That’s why we believe it is financially wise to invest in a high-end label printer such as the Epson C6000A.
CBD Labeling Requirements
CBD labeling requirements are similar to that of Marijuana packaging. There needs to be some basic information that should be included on a CBD product. This information includes but is not limited to:
Name and Place of Business
The label should provide contact information from the distributor or manufacturer. The information should be printed both on the inner and outer packaging of the product. Information should include QR codes, telephone numbers, and email addresses for contacting purposes.
Warning or Caution Statements
The label should include the standard warnings and any complications for people taking other medications.
Product Identity
The label should state the CBD product and what it does. This information should be on the PDP (product display panel) where it can be seen by all. Don’t confuse this to be the brand or trade name.
Quantity of Contents
You should include the actual amount of the product in a container. You are also required to specify the amount of active CBD per serving.
Ingredients Declaration
All CBD product labels are required to list all active ingredients. The list should be on the outer packaging on the informational panel.
Other information that should be included on a CBD product label include:
- Batch codes
- Manufacturing date
- Expiration date
- Whether the product is isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum
Note that the above information is a general guideline on CBD labeling requirements. Before printing your CBD product labels, check all the federal, state, and local regulations in your area.
Why Should You Invest in an In-House Label Printer for Your CBD Business?
In order to keep up with the regulations, you are advised to invest in digital printers that can allow you to print labels on-demand. On top of this, they provide a slew of benefits that help manage expenses, time and stress. Here are some of the best reasons to get a label printer such as the Epson C6000A.
Meet Quality Standards
In order to be FDA compliant and keep up with the ever-changing cannabis regulations, you need to switch to in-house printing. When a company is controlling its own printing process, it is able to meet all necessary standards and still maintain a cohesive and high-quality package. Regulations concerning label components should not affect the quality or design of a company’s in-house production.
Being able to adapt your label making process instantly is a competitive advantage you can’t overlook.
Print on Demand
In order to stay ahead of the competition, companies need to customize their labels to suit different markets. Also, there has been a new wave of mass customization to create opportunities for unique branding. Cannabis companies that need to print labels for special events or holidays can easily do that when they have their own in-house label printing system. Also, these companies save money since they only have to print what they need for a specific campaign. They do not need to produce outsized volumes for the sake of cost-efficiency.
Customization and Dynamic Labels
In-house printers like the Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000A have the capability to create custom labels that fit and enhance a company’s unique packaging. Remember how we mentioned that each specific state requires a specific symbol on their packaging? Well, if you plan to be distributing goods to more than one state, that challenge alone will make a dynamic label printer like the Epson C6000A incredibly valuable.
Workflow Assistance
Modern label printers like the Epson C6000 come equipped with innovative software known as BarTender Software. This software is designed to help companies control job characteristics and other finishing features of each label. Cannabis companies can clean up pages, check, and correct colors whenever they need to. These types of customized controls help to make quick changes on labels and speed up printing outputs. This means that a company does not have to experience downtime in production when it is time to update labels.
Confidentiality
In-house printing helps companies to keep their confidential corporate data from getting into the wrong hands. While outsourced printing companies are not likely to share your information, cases of security breaches have been on the rise. So, you are not guaranteed confidentiality when you use a third-party printer. Printing in-house dramatically reduces this potential threat.
Cost Control
In-house label printing gives a company the flexibility to spend what they want on any given project. Label printing companies on the other hand are out to make money, so they are looking for the most cost-effective approach to their clients’ printing projects. With an in-house printer, a company prints what is needed and this reduces excess waste and cost.
Cut out the Middleman
Investing in an in-house printer means that a company is investing in itself. The company does not have to wait for orders from an outsourced production company. In-house services allow a company to prioritize their needs which in turn accelerates their production times. Since in-house services allow fast label production, that also means that the company is able to provide fast turnaround time to its customers.
What is the Best Label Printer for my CBD Businesses?
The Epson C6000A is specifically designed for industrial customers who are looking to print their custom labels. This printer is ideal for cannabis business owners looking to print on demand. Epson C6000A features include;
- Perfect for printing 2-up color labels, and 6″ color labels
- Prints color labels from 1″ to 4.25″ wide
- It is ideal for printing location labels, identification labels, and color product labels
- Five print quality settings with resolutions up to 1200 by 1200
- Uses colored ink printing technology to produce crisp, high-resolution output
- Images are able to withstand moisture, abrasion, and handling. Also, able to resist fading
All of these features will provide a full spectrum of coverage for your business what whatever CBD labeling requirements come your way.
