Price Label Requirements

The price label shall include a clear and comprehensible description of the packaged commodity including, but not limited to the brand name, product type and variety, and package size, and is comprised of no more than two dominant segments which clearly and prominently indicate the item price and unit price, respectively. In the event that the retail store elects to display multiple price labels for the same individual product to reflect a temporary price adjustment, both price labels must meet all the requirements stated herein. (2) The price label shall include text that appears in the largest font or typeface sized possible; the unit price shall be displayed in font or typeface size that is no smaller than 50% of the font or typeface size that is used for display of the item price. In no event shall the unit price appear in font or typeface size smaller than 6.00 mm unless approved by the Commissioner/Deputy Director of the Division of Standards. The letters and numbers used to comply with the provisions of 202 CMR 5.04 shall appear in a font size and at a location on the price label that can be easilyseen and read by consumers with average vision from normal viewing positions and distances. (3) The unit price segment of the price label shall appear: (a) Clearly and conspicuously to the consumer; (b) Within the left segment of the price label; (c) In bold, black or white typeface, over a color-contrasting background of yellow, red, orange, or other color approved by the Commissioner/Deputy Director of the Division of Standards upon written request of the retail store or chain of retail stores. The color-contrasting background of the unit price segment shall be consistent for all price labels throughout the retail store but may vary among different locations of a chain of retail stores. In the event a retail store elects to utilize electronic shelf labels to meet the requirements of 202 CMR 5.04, the use of black and white/grayscale only contrasting price labels shall be allowed onlyin freezer/refrigerated sections of retails stores or with the express authorization of the Commissioner/Deputy Director of the Division of Standards. (4) The unit price segment of the price label shall include the following information and no other: (a) The words "Unit Price" as a heading directly above or below the numerical unit price; (b) The unit price for the packaged commodity as defined in 202 CMR 5.01(4) shall be displayed: (c) To the nearest cent when the unit price is one dollar or greater; or (d) Either to the tenth of one cent or to the whole cent when the unit price is $.99 or less. (5) The item price segment of the price label shall appear: (a) Clearly and conspicuously to the consumer; (b) Within the right segment of the price label; (c) In bold, black typeface over a white background unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner/Deputy Director of the Division of Standards upon written request of the retail store or chain of retail stores. (6) The item price segment of the price label shall contain the following information: (a) The words "item price," "retail price," or other clear descriptor directly above or below the numerical item price; (b) The item price for the packaged commodity as defined in 202 CMR 5.01(5). 5.04: continued (c) The total size, weight, volume, or quantity of the commodity being sold; (7) Where a primary shelf tag is displayed along with a supplemental tag or tags promoting a price other than the item and unit price to reflect a temporary or promotional change, the predominant or segment color of the supplemental tag or tags must differ from the unit price segment color chosen by the retail store on the primary shelf tag. (8) If applicable, the primary or supplemental shelf tag shall include the date of expiration of any applicable temporary discounts, rebates, loyalty club discounts, or other temporary price reductions that impact the item price of the packaged commodity. Other information may also be included on the price label at the option of the retail establishment provided that said information does not in any way obscure, de-emphasize or confuse the unit or item price information.