Charity: from 21 July, product labels must be more specific

Products sold for charitable purposes must, from 21 July, include information regarding the recipient of part of the proceeds and the purpose for which the funds raised will be used. It will also be necessary to state the percentage of the sale price or the amount that will be donated for each unit of the product (see ‘Il Sole 24 Ore’ of 19 June, editor’s note). Promotions, sales and supplies of products already in progress as at 21 July will not be affected by the measure. This is set out in Law 120/2026, containing ‘Provisions regarding the allocation of proceeds from the sale of products’, published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday 6 July 2026.

This information may be provided by affixing a paper or adhesive label to the packaging, or by including it in the promotional materials displayed at points of sale. Clarity, simplicity and visual prominence must be ensured in all cases. The same information must also be provided in commercial communications, including advertising: whether this takes place in traditional form or via influencer marketing in Italia. The law does not apply to the promotion, sale or supply of products by non-commercial organisations in which producers or professionals (both sellers and those promoting the purchase) do not hold a direct or indirect stake.

At least 15 days before the product is put on sale, the manufacturer or trader must notify the Italian Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) of the information that must be provided to consumers and the deadline by which the payment to charity will be made. Within three months of that same date, the AGCM must receive notification that the payment has been made.

In the event of infringements, the AGCM itself will be the competent authority responsible for imposing sanctions. Unless the act constitutes a criminal offence or an unfair commercial practice, an administrative fine is imposed for an amount ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 euros, determined by taking into account the list price of each product and the number of units offered for sale. The proceeds will be paid into a specific heading in the State budget and 50 per cent will be reallocated to the budget of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies to be used for to solidarity initiatives.

The AGCM will publish the measures in its weekly bulletin and may require the manufacturer or trader to publicise them on their website and on social media or to bear the cost of having them published in one or more daily newspapers. In this case too, failure to comply will be punishable by an administrative fine of between 5,000 and 50,000 euros.