Green Groups Anticipate Labeling Enforcement

The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and the Society of American Florists formed a task force at the end of 2004 to help growers and retailers in the green industry be prepared for possible weights and measures labeling enforcement. There are already existing regulations for labeling products in place, but not enforcement. Pennsylvania, however, began nursery labeling enforcement in April 2004, and it is expected that other states will follow suit.

The existing labeling regulations require three declarations:

• Identity-What is the product?
• Net contents-The container's volume or inside dimensions.
• Responsibility-Who is the grower?

These labeling requirements don't vary state to state, but enforcement and fines will. Pennsylvania's department of agriculture accepts the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. A 4-inch pot, for example, must have an inside diameter of 4 inches.

The joint task force has completed work on a set of guidelines for complying with container grown plant labeling regulations. A free downloadable copy of the ?EUR??,,????'??Industry Guide To Marketing Container Plants?EUR??,,????'?? is available at www.anla.org.