The Complete Guide to Security Labels – Features, Design Options, and Industry Uses
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Aggiornato:
15 ago 2025
10 min read
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Introduction
Security labels play a big role in protecting products, preventing tampering, and building customer trust. Whether it’s a tamper-evident label that makes it clear if something has been opened, or a QR code authentication label that lets customers verify product authenticity with a quick scan, these solutions are powerful tools for safety, compliance, anti-counterfeiting, and brand protection.
In this guide, we’ll explain when security labels are the right choice, the key features and design options available, and real-life examples of how they add value in industries from food and pharmaceuticals to e-commerce. We’ll also explore how eco-friendly, paper-based security labels can combine product security with sustainability.
When to Use Security Labels
Security labels are the ideal choice when product integrity, authenticity, anti-counterfeit protection, and compliance are critical. Common situations include:
Tamper prevention – To ensure a product has not been opened, altered, or contaminated after it leaves the manufacturing facility and before it reaches the end customer.
Example: A deli container sealed with a paper-based tamper-evident label that tears if opened, ensuring freshness and safety.Regulatory compliance – To meet legal requirements in industries with strict safety and traceability standards.
Example: Pharmaceutical packaging with serialized labels that comply with the EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) and national drug traceability laws.Brand protection – To safeguard premium products from counterfeiting and misuse.
Example: Holographic security labels on gourmet foods or premium beverages to certify authenticity.Supply chain integrity – To ensure goods remain sealed and uncompromised during transit with track-and-trace packaging.
Example: Tamper-proof shipping labels on e-commerce parcels that break apart if opened in transit.Product authentication for consumers – To allow customers to verify they are purchasing genuine products.
Example: A QR code product authentication label on supplement jars, allowing consumers to check batch details, expiry dates, and safety information.
💡 Tip: Choosing paper-based security labels supports mono-material packaging compliance and improves recyclability rates.
Security Features – How They Work
Modern security label technology can integrate multiple protection layers:
Tamper-evident adhesives – Leave a “VOID” pattern, shred, or break apart when removed.
Example: Tamper-evident seals on takeaway food delivery bags that break if opened before reaching the customer.Serial numbers and barcodes – Enable batch tracking and inventory management.
Example: Unique barcoded labels on medical devices to meet EU MDR (Medical Device Regulation) traceability requirements.QR codes, NFC, or RFID – Provide digital authentication and consumer engagement.
Example: NFC-enabled labels on premium spirits bottles allowing smartphone authentication.Holograms and microtext – Deliver visible anti-counterfeiting protection.
Example: Holographic labels on high-end cosmetics to protect brand reputation.UV-reactive inks or invisible printing – Add covert verification, visible only under special conditions.
Example: Invisible ink codes on luxury perfumes, used by customs to verify authenticity.
📊 Fact: Counterfeit goods cost the global economy over €450 billion annually (source: OECD/EUIPO, 2021), making visible and covert security features increasingly important.
Design Options for Security Labels
Security labels can be fully customized to balance functionality, branding, compliance, and sustainability:
Material choices – Paper-based for recyclable, eco-friendly labels compatible with mono-material packaging, or film-based for high durability.
Shapes and sizes – Designed to fit products without affecting usability.
Custom printing – Brand colors, logos, and compliance markings to reinforce identity.
Packaging integration – Labels designed for corrugated cardboard or molded pulp packaging to keep recyclability intact.
Real-World Industry Applications
Security labels create measurable value across industries:
Food industry – Tamper-evident labels are widely used on premium food products and takeaway packaging to ensure authenticity, maintain freshness, and prevent tampering.
Pharmaceuticals – Serialized authentication labels ensure traceability and compliance with EU FMD and national drug safety laws.
E-commerce & logistics – Shipping security labels keep parcels sealed and deter theft.
Cosmetics & Personal Care – Security labels protect premium beauty products from tampering and counterfeiting while supporting brand integrity.
Nutraceuticals & Supplements – QR code and tamper-evident labels ensure safety, provide batch details, and enable consumer authentication.
Electronics – Warranty seals prevent unauthorized repairs and protect against fraudulent returns.
Value Creation – Why Businesses Benefit
Adopting the right secure packaging solution with advanced security labels offers:
Reduced risk of fraud, tampering, and counterfeiting.
Stronger brand trust and repeat customer loyalty.
Compliance with EU packaging regulations and global safety laws.
Full supply chain visibility with track-and-trace technology.
Sustainability benefits through paper-based labels that are recyclable.
Future outlook: Demand for product authentication labels is expected to grow sharply, driven by stricter safety laws, growing e-commerce, and increased counterfeit risks. Emerging technologies like blockchain-enabled track-and-trace systems and AI-powered authenticity checks will further increase label adoption, especially for high-value goods.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Security labels are not just a compliance measure — they are an investment in product safety, customer trust, and long-term brand protection. By combining tamper-evident, authentication, and sustainability features, they meet today’s market demands and prepare businesses for tomorrow’s regulations.
📩 Contact Relyon to explore eco-friendly, tamper-evident, and anti-counterfeit security label solutions: Contact us.
