Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B31: Labelling requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

01 October 1974 

Publication where the measure is specified

Laws of Botswana Chapter 43:08 Control of Goods, Prices and Other Charges: Subsidiary Legislation 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Control of Goods (Marking of Goods) Regulations 

Country/Region applying the measure

Botswana 

The rationale of the measure

None specified 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

3. Marking of goods
(1) No person shall offer for sale by retail on any premises any goods unless such goods
have clearly marked thereon or in a position to be clearly visible to prospective purchasers-
(a) the cash price of such goods; and (b) the quantity of goods to which such price relates,
in the manner prescribed by these Regulations.
(2) In the prescribed details the abbreviations specified in the second column of the
Schedule may be used in place of the words respectively specified in the first column of the said
Schedule.
4. Goods sold pre-packed or individually
Where goods are offered for sale pre-packed or as individual items, each such
pre-packed article or individual item shall be marked with the prescribed details in characters
not less than 5 mm in height and, except in the case of the figure "1", 2 mm wide:
Provided that where goods are of such a nature that, for reasons of-
(i) weight;
(ii) size or bulk;
(iii) hygiene; or
(iv) security,
they cannot be so marked or cannot be handled by a prospective customer, the prescribed
details may be displayed in such a way as to be clearly identifiable with such goods and in
characters of not less than 10 mm in height and, except in the case of the figure "1", 4 mm wide.
5. Goods sold in bulk
Where goods are offered for sale from bulk and in accordance with a purchaser's
requirements as to weight, measure or number, the prescribed details shall be displayed in such
manner as to be clearly identifiable with such goods and in characters of not less than 10 mm in
height and, except in the case of the figure "1", 4 mm wide.
6. Goods sold on hire-purchase
Where goods are offered for sale on hire-purchase terms or by way of credit-sale or on
any other terms as to deferred payment the following details shall be displayed in addition to the
prescribed details and in characters of similar size-
(a) the amount of any deposit;
(b) the amount of each instalment;
(c) the frequency of instalments;
(d) the total number of instalments; and
(e) the total amount to be paid by way of deposit and instalments.
7. Discounts
Where goods are offered for sale at a discount whether for prompt payment, bulk
purchase, for a limited time or for any other reason, details of the amount to be purchased or the
date of termination of such limited time, as the case may be, shall be displayed with the
prescribed details and in characters of similar size.
8. Goods to be sold at a lower price
Where goods are offered for sale at a price lower than that previously displayed, the
prescribed details of such former price shall be cancelled or obliterated and shall not be
restored, and the prescribed details of such lower price shall be displayed.
9. Prescribed details not to be altered
Except in the case of a genuine mistake or with the approval of an authorized officer
appointed under the Control of Goods (Authorized Officers) Regulations, no person shall alter
any of the prescribed details in respect of any goods when such goods have been displayed if
the result of such alteration would be either-
(a) to increase the price of such goods; or
(b) to reduce the quantity to which the price relates.
10. Prescribed details not to be removed
Except at the request of a purchaser and only after sale has been concluded, no person
shall remove the prescribed details from any goods.
11. Markings to be in ink, etc.
The prescribed details shall be marked in non-toxic ink, paint or other indelible
substance and, subject, to the proviso to regulation 4 and, to regulation 5, only be printed-
(a) on the goods themselves;
(b) on a label securely affixed thereto; or
(c) on any container, package or wrapping material in which the goods are contained,
packed or wrapped and offered for sale 

Reference of the measure

Articles 3 to 11 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

All products 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.