Language in data sheets
Question
What are the legal requirements regarding the language used in data sheets for consumer products in your country?
Answer
In order to protect the consumers, there is mandatory to use the state language in labeling of the products, instructions for use, etc. Scope and conditions are specified by relevant/respective regulations.
As regards consumer products, we suppose you are interested in products covered by General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC). In this case, we recommend you address the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Consumer Protection Department.
For products covered by specific legislation within the area of conformity assessment (New Legislative Framework (previously New Approach) – e.g. radio equipment, machinery, electrical products within LVD, etc.) general requirements for the use of language are stipulated by the Act No 56/2018 Coll. on conformity assessment of products, making available of a determined product on the market. According to this act the manufacturer is obliged to attach to the product instructions for use and safety instructions in the national language (it means in Slovak) which are clear and comprehensible to the consumer or to another end-user of the product, unless the technical regulation on conformity assessment states otherwise. This requirement also applies to the authorized representative, importer or supplier.
The similar requirement is also stated in each technical regulation on conformity assessment. List of products determined by the technical regulations from the area of conformity assessment according to the Act No 56/2018 Coll and applicable regulations are available at the following link: http://www.unms.sk/swift_data/source/2018/osaez/technicke_predpisy/Technicke%20predpisy%20z%20oblasti%20posudzovania%20zhody_jul.pdf