This regulation aims to ensure that the information on customized cardboard packaging food labels is clear and easy to understand, so that consumers can easily access product information. Specifically, this regulation applies to the label design of pre packaged food, requiring that all foreign language information, except for registered trademarks, must not exceed the corresponding Chinese information. Such regulations help protect consumer rights and ensure that they receive accurate and clear information when purchasing food.
The marking content must use Chinese characters (except for registered trademarks), and Pinyin must also be used. For foreign languages with ethnic minority languages, it must not be larger than the corresponding Chinese characters, and all foreign languages must not be larger than the corresponding Chinese characters (except for English as decorative graphics and registered trademarks).
Imported customized paper box packaged food and food additives should have Chinese labels, and the labels should comply with the requirements of laws and relevant regulations. If imported goods do not have Chinese labels, they cannot be imported. Therefore, imported goods must have Chinese labels, and imported goods in English are not legal.
How to solve the problem of big English
Generally, packaging designers have three solutions:
The first method is to register Big English as a trademark
The second method is to make the English design look less like English and more graphic, which may make it easier to pass the registration. The third method is to print Chinese on the side or in a hidden place.
Sometimes it is necessary to use big English for decoration design. Packaging designers should try to use Chinese more to develop design habits. In addition, they can also see how their peers solve and handle problems
Except for registering trademarks, non conventional language shall not be used
In product packaging design, the use of traditional Chinese characters is subject to certain restrictions. According to relevant regulations, traditional Chinese characters have been replaced by simplified characters and are considered non-standard Chinese characters. Therefore, they cannot be used arbitrarily in general situations. Especially in situations such as product packaging instructions, the widespread use of traditional Chinese characters is not in line with China's current language policies and language laws. There are clear regulations in the country here, and custom cardboard packaging designers need to pay attention to this!
Simplified characters have replaced traditional characters as the standard Chinese characters, while traditional characters are considered non-standard Chinese characters. We use Chinese characters in our daily lives today, and the shape and stroke order should be based on the 7000 Chinese characters published in the "Modern Chinese General Character List", while traditional Chinese characters are not included in these 7000 Chinese characters. So in general, the use of traditional Chinese characters is unfounded.
The reason for using traditional Chinese characters in Hong Kong lies in its historical background and cultural heritage. Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, has Chinese as one of its official languages. The history of using traditional Chinese characters can be traced back to the early days of Hong Kong's opening as a port, and even further into the colonial period.
Why can traditional Chinese packaging be used in Hong Kong and Taiwan
1. At that time, Hong Kong was under British rule as a leased territory and did not accept the font reform in mainland China.
2. On the food packaging bags sold in supermarkets, if they are in traditional Chinese characters, they may be products produced in Taiwan or Hong Kong. Products in mainland China are written in simplified characters, not traditional characters.
Because locally manufactured goods usually use traditional Chinese characters, and there is no special version made using simplified characters for goods exported to the mainland.
Several situations where unconventional language can be used for explanation
The 18th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Common Language and Script", which stipulates in Article 17 of Chapter 2 that traditional Chinese characters can be retained in the following six situations.
1. Cultural relics and historical sites;
2. Variant characters in surnames;
3. Calligraphy, seal carving and other artistic works;
4. Handwritten inscriptions and signs;
5. Used in publishing, teaching, and research;
6. Special circumstances approved by relevant departments of the State Council.
Do Hong Kong companies use simplified or traditional Chinese? There are no strict regulations on the use of product fonts, it mainly depends on where your product is sold. If you are selling to mainland China, there is no problem with both traditional and simplified Chinese fonts. If you are selling in Hong Kong, it is recommended to use traditional Chinese characters because most products in Hong Kong are in traditional Chinese or English.
After registering as a trademark, if simplified characters are annotated and traditional characters are used instead; If the registered trademark uses traditional Chinese characters but actually uses simplified characters, it should be considered as changing the text, graphics, or their combination of the registered trademark on one's own. Using the trademark without following the regulations may result in revocation by the Trademark Office. Otherwise, it will become an irregular and slow use trademark, please be aware!
