On 3 March 2025 the International Organization for Standardization published ISO 15223-1:2021/Amd 1:2025. The amendment affects every company that shows an authorised representative on its labels: it adds a definition of the term and turns the EC REP symbol into a symbol that is no longer specific to one country or region.
New definition of “authorised representative”
An authorised representative is a natural or legal person established within a country or jurisdiction who has received a written mandate from the manufacturer to act on its behalf for specified tasks with regard to the manufacturer’s obligations under that country’s or jurisdiction’s legislation.
Change to the symbol
| Before the amendment | After the amendment |
|---|---|
| [ EC | REP ] Widely used to identify the authorised representative in the European Community. |
[ XX | REP ] “XX” is replaced by the two-letter or three-letter country code from ISO 3166-1, or by other text required by the authority having jurisdiction. The name and address of the authorised representative must be placed next to the symbol. |
The country codes are defined in ISO 3166-1. Examples:
- Switzerland: “CH REP” or “CHE REP”;
- United Kingdom: “GB REP” or “GBR REP”;
- Singapore: “SG REP” or “SGP REP”;
- Australia: “AU REP” or “AUS REP”;
- Brazil: “BR REP” or “BRA REP”;
- New Zealand: “NZL REP”.
Grouping of symbols
If several symbols (authorised representative, importer, distributor, translation or repackaging) identify the same responsible entity, the name and address do not have to be repeated: all applicable symbols can be grouped next to a single address. This keeps labels complete but concise.
When does it apply?
The amendment applied from publication. To give companies time to adapt, a gradual changeover is expected, with labels updated in the normal course of label revisions. Manufacturers should nevertheless plan the update early and check the expectations of the relevant authorities to avoid unnecessary compliance risks.
How EVERBIZ can help
EVERBIZ acts as authorised representative in the EU (Germany and Austria) and other jurisdictions. We liaise with authorities, keep technical documentation and declarations of conformity available, forward complaints and incidents, and review your labels for the correct symbols and addresses. Contact us for a label check.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The published standard and the requirements of the competent authorities are authoritative.