Indonesia's new labeling regulation to take effect Sept 1

Indonesia's Ministry of Trade will enforce new rules mandating the inclusion of labels on certain kinds of import goods to provide consumers with accurate information. Effective September 1, 2010, manufacturers or importers of regulated goods to be traded in the Indonesia market will be required to include this labeling in the Indonesian language, said a bulletin on Bureau Veritas's website.

According to the bulletin, specific goods in question include four categories: household electronics (46 items); building construction materials (8 items); motor vehicle materials (spare parts and others) (24 items); and other commodities (e.g., footwear, leather products, toys, apparel, etc.) (25 items).

Contents required to be included for all covered products are name and/or brand name; name and address of manufacturer; name and address of importer; and country of origin. Additional information may be necessary depending on the product type. All information must be written in the Indonesian language. Arabic digits and Latin letters are allowed if there are no proper equivalent Indonesian terms.

Label information must be submitted for approval to the Director of Supervision of Available Goods and Services. A certificate will be issued within five working days after receipt of the sample. Manufactures or importers of regulated goods can proceed with business upon receipt of the certificate.

The new regulation will take effect on September 1, 2010 for new products and for goods that have been circulating on the market before the new regulation applied, 18 months transitional period will be allowed.