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Request image files for labeling tobacco packaging or cigarette packets with text image warnings
As a manufacturer or importer of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, and hookah tobacco, you must print text image warnings on your cigarette and tobacco packaging. You can obtain the image files from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.
Online services & Forms
Online services
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Bilddateien für Tabakwarnhinweise online anfordernThe federal portal provides information on administrative services at federal, state and local level. You can use it to deal with the authorities directly online.
Forms
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Formular zur Anforderung von Dateien für die Gestaltung von Tabakverpackungen
This form can be submitted electronically (e.g. via a secure contact form using your user account with login via the electronic ID function or the ELSTER certificate) or handwritten and signed in paper form to the responsible authority.
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Form for requesting files for the design of tobacco packaging
When you request the text/image warnings, you decide whether you want to receive the image files by post on a data carrier or in digital form as a download.
This form can be submitted electronically without signature (e.g. via a secure contact form or by e-mail) or in paper form to the responsible authority.
Responsible for you
Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit - Dienststelle Berlin Gerichtstraße
Street address
Gerichtstraße 49
13347 Berlin
Postal address
Gerichtstraße 49
13347 Berlin
Phone
Website
Route planner
Timetable for public transport
Procedure details
Description
Manufacturers and importers of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco are legally obliged to label the packaging of their products with information.
These warnings consist of a health warning with an accompanying image. One example is: "Smoking causes fatal lung cancer" with a picture of a lung carcinoma.
As a mandatory labeling element, the pictorial warnings must take up two thirds of the front and back of the packaging. They are placed in addition to other general information and warnings such as "Smoking is deadly".
The image library for the design of the packaging with health warnings for smoking tobacco products is not publicly available. As a tobacco company, you can request the files from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
The image files may only be used for labeling purposes in accordance with the European Commission's usage regulations. If you use the image files, you must observe the technical specifications for the layout, design and form of the warnings, for example the black border.
Requirements
- You import or manufacture cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco.
- You only use the image files for the intended purpose.
Required documents
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Required Documents
You may need to submit a power of attorney.
Proceedings
You can request the high-resolution image files for the warning notices online or by post.
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Online procedure
- Complete the online form and select the type of delivery. You can choose between sending the DVD by post or downloading it.
- After logging into your organization account, you can submit the form.
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By post
- You can find the form on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), fill it out online or download it first.
- Print out the completed form, sign it, stamp it and send it by post to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
- The BVL will check whether your application is complete and whether your company is entitled to receive the text/image warnings.
- After a positive check, you will receive the image files as a DVD by post or by download.
Fees
There are no costs for you.
Processing time
1 bis 4 Wochen
Special notes
You must be authorized to receive the files. The European Commission's conditions of use must be observed.
Legal bases
Appeal
No legal remedies are provided.
Status: 02.07.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Heimat
Source:
Federal Portal