Only 10% of blind people affiliated with ONCE regularly use Braille (about 10,000 people in Spain)

ANFACO-CECOPESCA Raises Concerns Over New Accessible Labeling Royal Decree

Canned Food Industry Laments That Draft, Sent to Brussels, Ignores Key Proposals and Could Jeopardize Sector Viability While Contradicting European Norms

VIGO, Galicia – The National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Seafood (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) has expressed its "surprise and concern" regarding the recent notification to the European Commission of a draft Royal Decree on accessible labeling for consumer products. The industry association regrets that the text does not incorporate the sector's input, submitted during the public information and hearing process.

From the outset, ANFACO-CECOPESCA has demonstrated its commitment to accessibility, proposing solutions adapted to the complexity of packaging like cans and pouches. The organization has advocated for more efficient and sustainable digital alternatives, such as talking QR codes or mobile applications (e.g., NaviLens), arguing that only 10% of blind people in Spain regularly use Braille.

However, the final draft, notified to Brussels on June 14, 2025, ignores these proposals. ANFACO warns that the regulation, by imposing solutions like adhesive Braille or increasing packaging thickness, would lead to an estimated additional cost of between 0.5% and 1% of the final product price, in addition to being environmentally questionable by promoting the use of plastics and non-recyclable materials.

The association also warns that the draft "breaks the community regulatory framework" and the principle of mutual recognition, by requiring imported products from other EU countries to comply with these specific Braille labeling obligations. This could violate Regulation (EU) 2019/515 on the mutual recognition of goods lawfully marketed in another Member State.

ANFACO-CECOPESCA has urged its European associates to carefully examine this draft and submit formal observations before September 16, 2025. Roberto Alonso, the association's Secretary General, emphasized: "Inclusion cannot be built by ignoring productive realities or the European legal framework. We will continue to work actively in Spain and Brussels to ensure that accessibility is real, viable, and compatible with a competitive and sustainable market."

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