Key data
| Regulation | Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013 — CELEX:32013R1337R(05) |
|---|---|
| Base regulation | Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 — food information to consumers |
| Publication | 24 March 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified |
| Type of amendment | Corrigendum (errata): technical or linguistic aspects, no substantive regulatory change |
| Meats affected | Pork, sheep, goat and poultry (fresh, chilled or frozen) |
| Those affected | Producers, distributors, butchers and supermarkets |
| Category | Business Regulation |
Producers, distributors and points of sale for pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat have a new reason to review their labels. On 24 March 2026, the corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013 (reference CELEX:32013R1337R(05)) was published, which develops the implementing rules of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 regarding the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance of these meats.
The corrigendum does not alter the substantive regulatory framework, but updates the official text. Any company that bases its labelling procedures on the previous text must ensure it is working with the corrected version.
What does this regulation establish?
Regulation 1337/2013 establishes the implementing rules for the mandatory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance on fresh, chilled or frozen meat of the following species:
- Pork (pig)
- Sheep
- Goat
- Poultry
The central obligation is to indicate two distinct pieces of information on the label:
- Country of rearing of the animal
- Country of slaughter of the animal
This corrigendum published on 24/03/2026 applies exclusively to technical or linguistic aspects of the original text. The substantive regulatory framework — that is, the labelling obligations described — is not modified. The corrected text is the one that holds official validity from the date of its publication.
Economic and operational impact
Although this is a technical corrigendum with no substantive change, the operational impact is real for any company that has documented its labelling procedures by citing the previous text of the regulation.
The main sources of operational cost are:
- Document review: Internal procedures, labelling manuals and technical data sheets that cite the regulation must be updated to reference the corrected text.
- Label verification: Distributors, butchers and supermarkets must check that their current labels comply with the corrected text in force, particularly regarding the indication of the country of rearing and slaughter.
- Risk of penalty: Non-compliance with labelling requirements may result in administrative penalties from food control authorities. The specific amounts of penalties are determined by the national legislation of each Member State and are not specified in this corrigendum.
The cost of inaction — an inspection with an unfavourable outcome — far exceeds the cost of a preventive review of labels and documentation.
Who is affected?
The regulation affects all operators in the supply chain that market fresh, chilled or frozen meat of the specified species:
- Producers and slaughterhouses: Responsible for ensuring that origin labelling correctly indicates the country of rearing and the country of slaughter.
- Wholesale distributors: Must verify that the products they distribute comply with the labelling required by the corrected text.
- Butchers: Required to check that the labels on products displayed for sale comply with the applicable regulation.
- Supermarkets and large retail outlets: Must audit the labelling of their pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat product lines.
- Importers: Particularly relevant for those bringing meat from third countries, where the country of rearing and the country of slaughter may differ from the country of commercialisation.
Practical example
A supermarket selling trays of fresh pork labelled with the country of origin must verify that its label includes two distinct mentions: the country where the animal was reared and the country where it was slaughtered. If the pig was reared in Germany and slaughtered in Spain, both pieces of information must appear explicitly on the label.
If the internal procedures of the supermarket or its supplier are based on the original text of Regulation 1337/2013 — prior to this corrigendum — they must update that reference to the corrected text published on 24/03/2026. An inspection by food control authorities that detects non-compliant labels may result in administrative penalties, the amount of which depends on the sanctioning legislation of each autonomous community.
What should businesses do now?
- Download the corrected text: Access the official version of Regulation 1337/2013 with the corrigendum CELEX:32013R1337R(05) published on 24/03/2026 and replace any previous version in document management systems.
- Review labelling procedures: Verify that internal manuals, technical data sheets and label control procedures reference the corrected text and correctly reflect the obligation to indicate the country of rearing and country of slaughter.
- Audit current labels: Check that all fresh, chilled or frozen pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat references currently on the market include the two required origin details.
- Communicate to suppliers: If you are a distributor or point of sale, inform your suppliers of the need to verify compliance with the corrected text, especially where labelling is carried out at source.
- Document the review: Keep a written record of the review carried out. In the event of an inspection, demonstrating that proactive compliance measures have been taken reduces the risk of penalties.
Frequently asked questions
Which meats does Regulation 1337/2013 on origin labelling apply to?
Regulation 1337/2013 applies to fresh, chilled or frozen pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat. It establishes the obligation to indicate on the label the country of rearing and the country of slaughter of the animal.
What origin information must be indicated on meat labels under this regulation?
Under Regulation 1337/2013, the label must correctly indicate the country of rearing and the country of slaughter of the animal. These two pieces of information are mandatory for fresh, chilled or frozen pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat.
What changes with the corrigendum to Regulation 1337/2013 published in 2026?
The corrigendum published on 24/03/2026 affects technical or linguistic aspects of the original text without modifying the substantive regulatory framework. The origin labelling obligations remain the same, but businesses must ensure that their processes and labels comply with the corrected text.
What penalties may apply for non-compliance with meat origin labelling?
Non-compliance may result in administrative penalties from food control authorities. The regulation does not specify exact amounts in this corrigendum, as penalties are determined by the national legislation of each Member State.
Who in the distribution chain is affected by Regulation 1337/2013?
It affects producers, distributors and sellers of pork, sheep, goat and poultry meat. Specifically, distributors, butchers and supermarkets must review their labels to ensure compliance with the corrected regulation.
Official source
View full regulation at the official sourceDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32013R1337R(05)