The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 begins the process by which it will approve new regulations that will force supermarkets and other large commercial stores to label their products in Braille, informing them of the risks they may pose to the health of people with visual disabilities.
The measure, which is in the public information phase until April 12, will guarantee access to information on allergens and toxic substances in products. In this phase, organizations, citizens and affected sectors can present contributions and observations to the text, which will be proposed through a royal decree through which establishments of more than 400 square meters must offer this labeling in Braille.
With this proposal, the ministry aims to make the information “clear and understandable” for the group and protect them from possible risks to their health derived from the lack of information.
Braille labeling on food, cleaning and cosmetic products
With the implementation of this measure, consumers with visual disabilities will be able to request in these businesses the incorporation of Braille labels on food products that contain allergens, cosmetic items and cleaning products that contain dangerous substances. In addition to this novelty, they must offer personalized attention during the purchasing process to facilitate access to this information.
Essential information on the type of product, the brand, warnings about dangers or allergens and the expiration or best-before date must appear on accessible labeling. This data can be included directly on the packaging or through additional labeling, if the size of the product does not allow its inclusion.
The measure extends to online sales
The regulation will also affect those supermarkets where online purchases can be made. These will be delivered with the corresponding labeling in Braille. On a voluntary basis, companies may add information that they consider relevant in this accessible format.
The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs and the General Directorate of Rights of People with Disabilities, and representative entities such as ONCE and the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI) have worked together to prepare the project.
Despite the existence of regulations on labeling and product safety, organizations in the sector have been demanding concrete measures to ensure that information effectively reaches the entire population, especially people with visual disabilities. In this context, the initiative is part of a broader trend towards universal accessibility in consumption, an area in which Spain has made uneven progress in recent years.