If a product is on a shelf at a store with a damaged label (label information is correct but damaged due to shipment/stocking and is half legible). Do you think the store is responsible and should make an effort to ensure the label is fixed or is it the product's company responsibility? Or is it neither and the product should be okay to continue selling.
Although the damage may have been due to either party, ultimately it is the product company’s responsibility to fix the actual labeling as they are the manufacturers of the product, while the stores are the distributors. There is still some responsibility on store as they are the direct link between suppliers and customers; they are responsible for checking the labeling condition before putting it on the store floor, and reporting the issue to the supplier. Stores likely cannot resolve this issue independently. Fees may be covered by whichever party is responsible for the damage. There is shared responsibility between the two parties, with each having their own respective roles in the resolution.
In the particular case presented, the product with the half legible labeling cannot continue to be sold. This is due to various regulations that set labeling requirements that must be followed to allow sale of products in the U.S.. The labeling must be in compliance with labeling regulations to ensure safe and informed distribution to customers. Half-legible labeling most likely is not in compliance as half of the information deemed important by the manufacturer is missing.
Its on the responsibility for both the store and manufacturer in respect to when it was damaged. Leaving a company, the manufacturer should ensure that labels are present and in good condition, accounting for how they will be packaged as well. Assuming this consistent factor, and if it gets damaged during transport the store should do its diligence to not put the item on the shelf. If it does, then it is the store's responsibility because they chose to put a damaged product's label for purchase. Furthermore if the label gets damaged over time by little to no control by the store (degradation etc. of the label peeling off) then I would redirect my attention to the manufacturer on the type of labels they are putting as well as the location of such labels to where it would be actively degrading. Regardless of the fault, the product should not be sold with the labels damaged and if the eyes of both the retailer and manufacture fail to see that hopefully the customer will.
I'd like to add that it all depends on the traceability of this error. Is this product CONSTANTLY having a label error where the sticker with information is peeling/half-legible? Is it only one batch/material out of many received from multiple suppliers with this error? Is this the same supplier that is providing this product, but other suppliers that offer this product never have issues with labeling? Can we track the CONDITIONS of transportation that these parts are being shipped to the store in? This is definitely something the manufacturer should be informed about and cooperated with in order to prevent the error from occurring again. If you have a high stock of this material, replacing the product with one that has the correct readable label and removing the damaged one is very important (and is something the manufacturer should be aware of). From there, an investigation needs to be done on BOTH ends to determine the root cause of this error and how to address it. In the case of half legible labels, I would agree with jbh8 that if it is illegible to the point where we are not necessarily sure if the product is indeed what it should be, that could be very dangerous for the customer who is possibly purchasing it.
The responsibility of addressing a damaged label depends on several factors on how the damage occurred. For example, if the damage occurred during handling/shipment of the product then it would be the store’s responsibility to address the issue. However, if the damage occurred due to a defect in the product’s packaging/labeling when the product left the manufacturer’s facility, then it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to address the issue. On the other hand, products need to adhere to labeling regulations set by the government depending on the type of product and its use. If the damaged label results in the product not being compliant with the labeling regulations, then it is the responsibility of both the manufacturer and the store to address the issue. Additionally, if the damaged label results in liability concerns where it could cause harm to the consumer, then it is again the responsibility of both the manufacturer and the store to address the issue.
When it comes to products with damaged labels in retail settings, there are several facets to consider, including legal implications, business ethics, and overall presentation standards. From a legal standpoint, different regions and product categories often come with specific labeling mandates. For instance, items such as edibles, pharmaceuticals, and certain consumer goods might have strict labeling criteria. If a label's damage obscures crucial details like use-by dates or ingredient lists, the store could inadvertently violate these mandates, leading to potential legal challenges. On the business and ethical front, it's paramount for retailers to ensure that products are showcased in their best light. Imperfect labels can dissuade potential purchasers and cast doubts about the store's commitment to quality and product care. While there might not always be a legal obligation, addressing such concerns can be pivotal for upholding a store's reputation and customer confidence. Meanwhile, product producers, even though they might have limited oversight after distribution, are also invested in how their products are displayed. If a retailer habitually showcases items with compromised labels, the producer might step in, either by discussing the matter with the retailer or by rethinking their packaging durability. In many scenarios, retailers might choose to offer a reduced price for products with minor label damages or send them back to their suppliers. But, if the damage hampers essential details, it becomes crucial to either pull the product from the shelves or address the labeling concern. In essence, both the store and the product brand have a shared goal: ensuring that products are displayed to consumers in the best possible manner.
