Standardised packets of tobacco products

Royal Decree on standardised packets of cigarettes, rolling tobacco and waterpipe tobacco

The purpose of this regulation, based on Article 24 of Directive 2014/40/EU, is to standardise the presentation of packets of cigarettes, rolling tobacco and waterpipe tobacco. This Royal Decree (hereinafter referred to as ‘RD’) therefore aims to define the colour and elements which appear on the packaging of cigarettes, rolling tobacco and waterpipe tobacco.

Article 1 of this RD establishes its scope and Article 2 concerns the definitions.

Article 3 establishes the relationship between this RD and the Royal Decree of 5 February 2016 on the manufacture and placement on the market of tobacco products.

Articles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are the general provisions.

Article 4 states that the packets of these products shall be in a single shade of colour.

Article 5 states that besides the tobacco-based product, only the lining may be enclosed in a unit packet.

Article 6 prohibits certain techniques aimed at undermining the neutrality and uniformity of the unit packets, packaging and wrappers. This Article also prohibits any insert or other element inside the unit packets, outer packaging or wrappers.

Article 7 states that paper for cigarettes, cigarette tubes and rolling tobacco, shall be in a single colour.

Article 8 states that the outside and inside surfaces of unit packets, outer packaging and wrappers shall be smooth and, where unit packets or outer packaging are cuboid in shape, smooth and flat.

Article 9 concerns the specifications of the unit packets of rolling tobacco.

Article 10 indicates the wording which may be found on unit packets.

Article 11 establishes standardised packets for packets of cigarette tubes and paper for rolling tobacco whose trade name is the same as the trade name of the tobacco-based products.

Articles 12, 13 and 14 are the final provisions concerning the period for implementation and penalties in particular.