Best prices Special offers for members of the PWE book club The cheapest delivery
Dr Lidia Siwik
ORCID: 0000-0002-2223-3492

PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Commercial and Economic Law at the Faculty of Law, Administration, and Economics at the University of Wrocław. Her research interests primarily focus on commercial law, particularly on issues related to the civil liability of company executives, European companies, and legal design. She also has experience in consumer law. She is also a legal advisor and co-owner of the Lexperts law firm, where she specializes in corporate law, commercial contracts, and chemical law.

 
DOI: 10.33226/0137-5490.2026.2.6
JEL: K22

The article focuses on the legal regulations regarding the use of pictograms as a form of fulfilling entrepreneurs’ informational obligations towards consumers and the application of legal design concept in consumer law. It highlights that, while numerous and diverse, EU and national laws aim to standardize the rules for conveying information in commercial transactions, particularly in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cosmetics, where consumer protection is a priority. The author discusses key legal acts, such as EU directives, which mandate the use of graphical forms of information. The article draws attention to four levels of normative application of pictograms: from voluntary graphics to mandatory symbols required by law. Despite their detail, these regulations often fail to ensure consistency or clarity, making it challenging for consumers to understand the information provided. The article also emphasizes the need for introducing regulations that would standardize symbolism on a broader scale and prevent the use of graphics that mislead consumers regarding product characteristics. According to the author, legislation should aim toward harmonizing and standardizing graphic forms of information to better address the needs of consumers and businesses, contributing to greater transparency and trust in the market.

Keywords: entrepreneur’s obligations; consumer’s right to information; legal design; pictogram; consumer protection