In order to prevent the introduction and spread of pests more intensively, the European Commission has revised the Plant Health Law, which has been in place since 1977. The new Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 includes a better harmonized plant passport system for movements of plants and plant products between companies within the Union territory. From 14 December 2019, all plants for planting will have to be accompanied by an official label, containing the required information and ensuring traceability.
Is your company affected by the EU regulation? Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any trouble finding the right labeling system or industrial inkjet printer!
What information must be included in the EU plant passport label?
In accordance with the Regulation, the following elements in particular are required on the plant passport label:
(1) The word ‘plant passport’ in the upper right corner, in one of the official languages of the Union, followed by a slash and the English translation (if different);
(2) the EU flag in the upper left corner (colored or in black and white);
(3) the letter “A” followed by the botanical name of the plant species or taxons concerned;
(4) the letter “B” followed by the two-letter country code for the Member State and the registration number of the operator;
(5) the letter “C” followed by the traceability code of the plant, plant product or other object concerned. This may be supplemented by a machine-readable data carrier (e.g. bar code, data matrix or chip);
(6) the letter “D” followed by the two-letter country code of the country of origin and, where applicable, the name of the third country.
Note: For movements in protected zones it is necessary to print the words “plant passport – protected zone” and the scientific names or codes of the relevant protected zone quarantine pests.
Further requirements for the EU plant passport:
- must be attached directly to the commercial unit (e.g. pot container, bundle, package)
- must be clearly visible and legible
- must be unchangeable and durable
- must be separate from other information on the same medium
- must contain the information in a rectangular or square text area
Well equipped with efficient labeling and coding technology
Weber Marking Systems offers suitable marking solutions for EU plant passports as well as many other industrial applications:
✓ Customized labeling systems (print and/or apply)
✓ Professional label printers
✓ Cost-effective inkjet printers for coding on pre-printed labels
✓ A wide range of adhesive labels
✓ Safety compliant solutions like our Tamper Evident machine
