Tobacco products; request for image files for text-image warnings

As a manufacturer or importer of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco, you must print text image warnings on your cigarette and tobacco packaging. You can obtain the image files from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

Description

The notices for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco consist of a health warning with an accompanying picture. An example is: "Smoking causes fatal lung cancer" with a picture of a so-called smoker's lung.

As a mandatory labelling element, the picture warnings must cover two thirds of the front and two thirds of the back of the packaging. They are placed in addition to other general information and warnings such as "Smoking kills".

The image library for designing packaging with combined health warnings for smoking tobacco products is not publicly available. Therefore, you have to apply for the files at the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

You may only use the image files in accordance with the European Commission's conditions of use. The technical specifications for layout, design and form of the warnings can be found in the respective implementing decisions of the European Union.

Prerequisites

Only tobacco companies receive the files for the purpose of labelling certain tobacco products or depicting them in advertising.

Procedure

You can request the high-resolution image files for the warning notices in the online procedure or by post.

  • Online procedure
    • Fill out the online form and select the type of delivery. You can choose between sending the DVD by post or providing it via a download.
    • After logging into your organization account, you can submit the form.
    • Note: Online procedure available soon
  • By mail
    • You will find the form on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture - fill it out online or download it first.
    • Print out, sign and stamp the completed form and send it by post to the BVL.
  • The BVL will check whether your application is complete and whether your company is eligible to receive the text image warnings.
  • After a positive check, you will receive the image files as a DVD by post or download. Please take the shipping and processing times into account when planning your application.

Deadlines

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

Processing time

Usually 1 to 4 weeks.

Required documents

  • Required Documents

    You may need to submit a power of attorney.

Forms

  • Form, Bavaria-wide: Formular zur Anforderung von Dateien für die Gestaltung von Tabakverpackungen
    Please note

    This form has to be signed and sent to the responsible authority. You can sign the form manually and send it by email/fax or sign the form electronically with your qualified electronic signature an send it by (secure) email. If the responsible authority has set up a De-Mail account, you can also send the form by De-Mail using an sender-confirmed message.

Fees

  • There are no costs for you.

Legal bases

Remedy

There is no provision for appeal.

Links to more information

Status:03.09.2022

Responsible for editing:Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft

  • Online transactions, Bavaria-wide
  • Online transactions, locally limited
  • Form, Bavaria-wide
  • Form, locally limited
  • Prefillable Form, Bavaria-wide
  • Legal bases, Bavaria-wide
  • Legal bases, locally limited
  • Fees, Bavaria-wide
  • Fees, locally limited
Information

Responsible for you

If you select a location under "Localization" the contact details of the responsible authority and, if applicable, locally valid information will be displayed.

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