Currently, Poland's labeling regulations are in line with general EU regulations. Some special labeling requirements apply to food products. In particular, the ingredients of most foods (including additives) and the date of manufacture/expiry date must also be clearly indicated on the label.

1. Packaging and labeling requirements

Label regulations

Currently, Poland's labeling regulations are in line with general EU regulations.

Some special labeling requirements apply to food products. In particular, the ingredients of most foods (including additives) and the date of manufacture/expiry date must also be clearly indicated on the label.

Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic items should have information about the expiry date, description of the goods and ingredients on the label in Polish.

Some leather types are also subject to special labeling regulations.

Packaging regulations

Straw must be disinfected before being used as a packaging material. Goods imported into Poland must be carefully packed according to the nature of the goods, the mode of transport and weather conditions during transportation.

The container in the outermost layer should have information about the consignee, port of arrival and be numbered as indicated in the packing slip unless the contents of the cargo in the box have been determined otherwise. The sales contract number should also be indicated on the box.

2. Regulations on phytosanitary

Animals, plants and animal and plant products require quarantine certificates in Polish and English issued by the relevant authorities of the country of origin.

Many foods are subject to quarantine inspections by the State Sanitary Inspection Agency upon arrival in Poland.

Foreign exporters should contact the Polish importer in advance for detailed information on the quarantine issue before exporting.

All pharmaceuticals must be registered with the Instytut Lekow Institute of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and must be approved for circulation and sale in Poland.

The State Commission of Drugs under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is responsible for the evaluation and approval of the quality of imported pharmaceuticals.

3. Standard regulations

Poland complies with the standards requirements in accordance with the general guidelines of the European Union. Although not mandatory, many Polish importers require their foreign counterparts to be ISO 9000 registered. The ISO registration process is not cheap and market demand for registration varies by product and service group.

When entering the Polish market, it is necessary to consider the mandatory standards that can be applied to each specific product and service. Importers are one of the useful sources of information to learn about these requirements, at least in the initial stages.