Short answer: Labeling rules depend on what the product is (cosmetic, drug, food, fragrance, or other), where it is sold, and what it claims. A label must carry the required identity, ingredient, net-quantity, manufacturer, and warning statements for its actual category.

Start with the product category

The same bottle can be a cosmetic, a drug, a food flavoring, a fragrance, or a household product depending on intended use and claims. The category decides which labeling requirements apply.

Where claims live on a label

Identity statement, ingredient list, net quantity, responsible-party information, warnings, and directions each have expected locations. Claims can also appear in the product name, imagery, and marketing copy, not just the 'claims' section.

Recordkeeping for labeling decisions

Keep the formula version, supplier documents, finished-product label, intended-use statement, market, and the date each claim was reviewed. Record who made the decision and the source that supported it.

A label-decision record

For each product: intended use, market, category, claims, label fields present, warnings, supporting documents, reviewer, and recheck trigger (formula change, regulation change, new market).

When to get qualified review

A labeling checklist does not grant legal compliance. Export, drug, food, pesticide, medical-device, and some cosmetic claims require jurisdiction-specific qualified review.

Important limit

No legal opinion, professional credential, business license, insurance approval, product classification, or compliance certification is supplied.

Documents needed for a product-specific answer

  • Exact manufacturer, product name and number, formula or version, lot, ingredient list, intended use, directions, warnings, and market.
  • Current label plus applicable SDS, TDS, specification, manual, carrier, registration, supplier, or qualified-professional record.
  • Source title, issuer, date or revision, relevant section, access date, support boundary, and recheck trigger.

Sources and limits

These sources provide the context and limits described below. Product-specific documents you must obtain are listed separately.

Advertising FAQ's: A Guide for Small Business

Federal Trade Commission

Open the exact source

Publication or revision
Living business guidance
Date checked
2026-08-12
Relevant section
Page title and sections described in “What it supports.”
What it supports
Truthful, non-misleading advertising and substantiation review.
What it does not establish
A health, safety, performance, environmental, or product-approval conclusion.
Recheck trigger
Material page revision, issuer update, broken redirect, or 2027-02-12, whichever comes first.

Endorsements, Influencers, and Reviews

Federal Trade Commission

Open the exact source

Publication or revision
Living guidance collection
Date checked
2026-08-12
Relevant section
Page title and sections described in “What it supports.”
What it supports
Review of testimonials, endorsements, and material connections.
What it does not establish
That a testimonial proves cause, safety, or efficacy.
Recheck trigger
Material page revision, issuer update, broken redirect, or 2027-02-12, whichever comes first.

21 CFR 201.128 — Meaning of intended uses

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

Open the exact source

Publication or revision
Current eCFR text
Date checked
2026-08-12
Relevant section
Page title and sections described in “What it supports.”
What it supports
Why claims and surrounding circumstances affect intended-use analysis.
What it does not establish
A legal classification or approval of a specific product.
Recheck trigger
Material page revision, issuer update, broken redirect, or 2027-02-12, whichever comes first.

Hazard Communication — Overview

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Open the exact source

Publication or revision
Living web page
Date checked
2026-08-12
Relevant section
Page title and sections described in “What it supports.”
What it supports
SDS and workplace chemical-communication record context.
What it does not establish
Finished-product approval or a safe-use conclusion.
Recheck trigger
Material page revision, issuer update, broken redirect, or 2027-02-12, whichever comes first.

Continue with the related topic hub or the product-description review worksheet.