Traceability of tobacco products
Unit packets of cigarettes and roll-you-own tobacco provided to consumers in Sweden must be marked with a unique identifier to track and trace the products throughout the supply chain down to the retail level.
The traceability system became operational on 20 May 2019 and aims to combat illegal trade in tobacco products. Currently it covers cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco produced in or imported into the European Union. From 20 May 2024, the rules applies to all tobacco products, but there are transitional provisions. In addition, to the traceability system, tobacco products must be provided with security features that will facilitate the verification of whether or not tobacco products are authentic.
Traceability marking and security features on tobacco products
Directives and laws governing traceability
A decision on the introduction of an EU-wide system for traceability and security features was taken in the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) and specified in the complementary EU legislation. All based on the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) (eur-lex.europa.eu)
How the implementation of the traceability and security marking system is to be carried out has been regulated in more detail in three different regulations and decisions; (1) Commission Delegated Regulation 2018/573 on key elements of data storage contracts to be concluded as part of a traceability system for tobacco products, (2) Commission Implementing Decision 2018/576 on technical standards for security features applied to tobacco products and (3) Commission Implementing Regulation 2018/574 on technical standards for the establishment and operation of a traceability system for tobacco products:
Official Journal of the European Union: Legislation (eur-lex.europa.eu)
The Implementation Regulation 2018/574 on technical specifications for the establishment and operation of a traceability system for tobacco products was corrected in April 2018. In March 2023, a new implementing regulation 2023/448 was published to amend implementing regulation 2018/574.
The changes enter into force on 21 December 2023.
Further reading
The traceability system for tobacco products
In short, the traceability system means that all economic operators, facilities and machines that are part of the supply chain of tobacco products have a unique identification code. All tobacco products have a unique identity label, also called a traceability label. The purpose of the traceability system is to combat illegal trade in tobacco products.
The traceability system for tobacco products
National ID issuer (traceability of tobacco products)
An ID issuer has a central function in the traceability system. The national ID issuer issues unique identification codes for economic operators, facilities and machines located in the country, as well as unique identity marks for tobacco products intended for the national market.
National ID issuer (traceability of tobacco products)
The traceability system – this applies to tobacco manufacturers and importers
Manufacturers and importers of tobacco products are responsible for several vital parts of the traceability system, such as marking the products with unique identifiers. Manufacturers are also responsible for providing recording equipment to all economic operators involved in the trade of tobacco products.
The traceability system – this applies to tobacco manufacturers and importers
The tobacco traceability system – this applies to wholesalers and distributors
Wholesalers and other actors (distributors) who participate in the trade in tobacco products are responsible, among other things, for recording the tobacco products sold, stored, transported or otherwise handled.
The tobacco traceability system – this applies to wholesalers and distributors
The tobacco traceability system – this applies to retailers
Retailers or retailers who sell tobacco products are responsible for having identification codes for themselves as an operator of first retail outlets as well as for their facilities, and that the information provided is correct and up-to-date.
The tobacco traceability system – this applies to retailers
Rules and regulations on tobacco traceability, traceability labels and security features
Tobacco products must be traceable, have traceability labels and security features as stated by law. Now the rules applies to cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. From 20 May 2024, all tobacco products will be covered, but there are transitional rules. The Public Health Authority supervises that the rules are followed.
Rules and regulations on tobacco traceability, traceability labels and security features
Updates 2022-05-26
The tobacco traceability pages have been updated with information on the amending regulation 'Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/448 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/574 on technical standards for the establishment and operation of a traceability system for tobacco products', which will enter into force on 21 December 2023. Some update on Brexit information. There have also been some clarifications about identification codes, and also some minor linguistic corrections and clarifications.
About traceability and safety marking
The European Commission's website on traceability and security features is regularly updated with important information for the stakeholders. The Commission has compiled a document containing extracts from the summaries (in English) of the meetings of the Traceability and Security Features Subgroup (from February 2018 until November 2021) and questions and answers on traceability and security features. Summaries from subsequent Subgroup meetings are also published on the website.
Systems for tobacco traceability and security features (health.ec.europa.eu)
It is important that all events are reported in the order of occurrence and that the correct information is transferred to the system in the correct way. The Commission has collected common mistakes and how they should be corrected in a document to assist economic operators when reviewing their reporting practices:
EU system of tobacco product traceability: Common reporting mistakes (health.ec.europa.eu)
Brexit
After the transition period, the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40 is no longer applicable to Great Britain, which has certain consequences. These are described in the document Notice to stakeholders - Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules on tobacco and related products.
Among other things, the tobacco products that are imported from Great Britain to the EU market after the transition period must comply with the rules for importing into the EU. These tobacco products must be provided with a unique identifier issued by the ID issuer in the EU Member State where the product is placed on the market. The tobacco products that are exported from the EU to the UK after the transition period must comply with the rules for export from the EU. These goods must be provided with a unique identifier issued by the ID issuer in the EU Member State where the goods were manufactured. See more about traceability in the announcement.
The announcement, Brussels, 8 May 2020:
More information on Brexit:
