Compliance & Regulatory
Claims, Labelling, Safety, IP, Legal Foundations
Compliance Is Cheaper Than Consequences
Most founders ignore compliance until something goes wrong. A product recall, a cease-and-desist on your claims, a regulatory investigation. The cost of getting it right early is a fraction of the cost of getting it wrong later. This section won't make you a lawyer. It will tell you what questions to ask, when to get help, and what to never ignore.
Key topics covered
- Why This Section ExistsMost DTC founders come from marketing or product backgrounds. Compliance is the thing you assume you'll figure out later.
- Regulatory Acronym ReferenceDifferent markets, different bodies. The acronyms used in this section refer to:
- Product Compliance by Category
- Claims & Advertising ComplianceWhat you say about your product matters legally, not just commercially. Every claim you make in ads, on your website, in emails, or through influencers is subject to advertising standards and…
- Labelling RequirementsLabelling requirements vary by product category and market. What must appear on the label, in what format, and in what language differs between AU, US, EU, and UK.
- Intellectual Property FoundationsSection 5: Product covers IP in the context of product development. Here's the operational summary:
- Product Safety & RecallsIf you sell a consumer product, a recall is always possible. The question isn't whether you can imagine one happening, it's whether you're prepared if it does.
- Fraud, Chargebacks & Payment RiskFraud is a cost of doing business in DTC. You won't eliminate it, but you can manage it to a level where it doesn't meaningfully impact your margin or your relationship with payment processors.
Why This Section Exists
Most DTC founders come from marketing or product backgrounds. Compliance is the thing you assume you'll figure out later. Then later arrives as a cease-and-desist letter, a marketplace listing suspension, or a recall notice.
This section won't make you a regulatory expert. It will tell you what to ask about, what you can't ignore, and when to pay for help. It's practical guidance, not legal advice. The cost of getting compliance right upfront is typically $2K-$20K depending on category. The cost of getting it wrong is $50K-$500K+ in recalls, fines, legal fees, and brand damage.
What's required depends heavily on your category. An accessories brand has minimal regulatory burden. A supplements brand operates in one of the most regulated consumer product spaces. Know where your category sits and invest accordingly.
Regulatory Acronym Reference
Different markets, different bodies. The acronyms used in this section refer to:
Scan once, then read the body tables.
Product Compliance by Category
Labelling Requirements
Labelling requirements vary by product category and market. What must appear on the label, in what format, and in what language differs between AU, US, EU, and UK.
Universal basics (almost every market requires):
- Product name and description
- Ingredients or materials list
- Net weight/volume
- Country of origin (rules differ by jurisdiction)
- Manufacturer or importer name and address
- Batch/lot number (critical for traceability)
- Any required warnings or certifications
Market-specific requirements:
- EU/UK: Language requirements vary by market. CE marking applies to relevant product categories. UK conformity rules have shifted repeatedly, so check the current UK position for your product before printing artwork.
- US: FTC Made in USA rules. FDA-specific requirements for food, supplements, and cosmetics.
- AU: Country-of-origin and consumer law requirements under ACL, plus TGA requirements where the product is a therapeutic good.
Cross-reference: Section 24: International Expansion for market-specific compliance considerations when entering new regions.
Keep reading in the full playbook.
All 30 sections, the diagnostic Health Check, 400+ checklist items, and 8 tools. Free and always will be.
Open the full playbookWhat you'll walk away with
- Product compliance requirements identified for your specific category and markets
- Regulatory specialist engaged (if selling supplements, beauty, food, children's products, or electronics)
- All product claims reviewed: can you prove every one if asked?
- Labelling compliant for every market you sell into
- Trademarks filed in every active market (or filing in progress)
- Design registrations filed for distinctive products
- Domain names secured across key TLDs
- Batch/lot traceability system in place
- Product liability insurance active and coverage reviewed annually
- Recall protocol documented (even if brief)