As products get smaller, it is becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to find physical space for physical labels to address intelligible information to multiple markets.

People around the world have gained familiarity with machine-readable codes, especially QR codes, during COVID-19. The rise in consumer, business, and government awareness could be a powerful catalyst for e-labeling in more countries and sectors.

Twenty-one countries—from China to Samoa—allow firms to use e-labels to show telecommunication compliance marks. Several countries allow them to show medical device instructions. New cybersecurity labeling requirements may also allow them.

As more countries consider allowing e-labels for regulatory purposes, there is the risk that complicated and conflicting approaches could create a new barrier to global trade and innovation in ICT and other products.

Policymakers should coordinate in developing standards and practices for e-labeling. It would be counterproductive to inhibit technological innovation by making firms alter product designs to create space for both physical and e-labels.