Selling of products are common practice and can be seen almost everywhere. In order to ensure that the customers are fully aware details of the product before deciding to purchase it, the Office of Consumer Protection Board (“OCPB”) requires the product manufacturers and importers to provide product’s details in the label and attach it to the product.
The OCPB requires to attach label to products that are manufactured under the factory law or imported from overseas (with some exceptions). Therefore, it is not required to attach a label on other types of product such as homemade food and plants (imagine products in fresh market). Nevertheless, it should be always note that if such homemade food and plants are imported from overseas, the seller must attach a label to the product before selling it to customers.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, label must contain minimum information in Thai language as follows:
- Name and address of the manufacturer/importer;
- Manufacturing country (in case of imported product);
- Product’s type or name (for example, potato chips, electronic fan or stainless mug);
- Number or weight of item(s) in a package;
- Usage instruction(s);
- Recommendation(s) or warning(s);
- Date of manufacturing; and
- Price in Thai Baht currency.
Product label tag can be attached to the product in many ways depending on nature of product. Normally it can be in form of sticker but in case the product has small size, seller can also put product in package and affix label on such package. In case the product is in a refill form where customer has to bring their own container to collect the product, label can be posted where customers can easily see it before purchase.
Failure to comply with label requirements may be subject to imprisonment of not exceeding one year and/or fine of not exceeding THB 200,000.
