Child safety is an ethical duty that unites businesses across a range of industries and child-resistant (CR) packaging, should be a focal point for the immediate and long-term future.
This type of packaging can relate to virtually any product, ranging from medication packaging to cleaning items. In short, childproof packaging should be used whenever the contents could pose a threat to children. This guide will detail some of the key features relating to CR packaging requirements.
History of CR packaging
Child-resistant packaging is defined as packaging that is difficult for a child aged up to 52 months to open, although it should not be difficult for adults to access the contents. Childproof packaging can be categorised as reclosable and non-reclosable.
This type of packaging was already popular in America before finding its way to the UK in 1975. It should be noted that the UK introduced mandatory regulations for products that were not regulated in the US. this includes bleaches and cleaning chemicals, Despite the fast adoption of CR packaging for reclosable products, non-reclosable items did not follow until 2001.
Since then, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has cited it as the “best-documented cause of the reduction of child poisoning in the developed world” since 2008. The use of childproof packaging across Europe has been widespread for many years too, especially in the EU member states.
Benefits of CR packaging
Child-resistant packaging has been used in the UK for nearly 50 years and studies suggest that hundreds of lives have been saved as a result.
In addition to WHO’s statements about the positive impacts, UNICEF has echoed the claims while several regulatory authorities confirm CR packaging’s life-saving capabilities. Further proposed benefits include but are not limited to;
- Preventing non-fatal injuries caused by swallowing packaging materials,
- Avoiding non-fatal illnesses caused by the ingestion of chemicals,
- Giving parents peace of mind over childproofing their properties,
- Preventing accidental spillages and the damage they can cause to products,
- Avoiding the threat of being caught without the items because a child has used them.
Reclosable items can also be used to store a range of additional products, which adds convenience and longevity for consumers. From a company’s perspective, this type of packaging ensures regulatory compliance while additionally supporting brand recognition and trust. Depending on the audience, it can make products like medicinal cannabis far more appealing to consumers.
While CR packaging isn’t needed for all items, it can make a world of difference in the appropriate situations. After all, kids only need a second to access something they shouldn’t.
Products that require Child-Resistant packaging:
As the manufacturer of potentially harmful or hazardous products, it’s imperative that you understand the child safety packaging requirements. To do this, you must recognize the product itself as well as the country or countries where you intend to sell it. In addition to child safety packaging, atomisers, pipettes, and droppers are available to further boost the packaging solution.
The main product categories where CR packaging is needed are detailed below:
- Pharmaceutical medication
Pharmaceutical medication products require child safety packaging if they contain a certain amount of particular ingredients. The list includes; Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Elemental iron, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen. Furthermore, any pharmaceutical medication that is now available over the counter but once required a prescription will require CR packaging.
The regulations for child-safe pharmaceutical packaging aren’t restricted to the UK while some contrasts occur, the need for child safety is seen across Europe and America.
- Some nutraceutical products
Not all nutraceuticals require CR packaging, but some vitamins or nutritional supplements could pose a threat to children so it is recommended to package these in CR containers. For example, iron can become toxic to children if high doses are consumed. As well as being needed in the UK, safety packaging will be required in the US under CPSC criteria.
To determine whether iron and other nutraceuticals need child-resistant packaging, the weight to volume ratio must be calculated. It’s often worth acting with caution to be safe.
- Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis packaging has become particularly popular in the US and has been used in the UK too. In America, the federal level means that packaging should follow food and beverage regulations but the CR packaging requirements are determined within each state. Naturally, the UK is behind the US in this sense as CBD products are not often prescribed.
CBD products sold in the UK must have novel food authorisation while other rules relating to dosages, safety warnings, and product info protect the user as well as children.
- Some cleaning products
Cleaning products are one of the areas where the UK quickly focused on setting regulations after borrowing the concept of childproof packaging from the US. items that fall under this category include personal cleaning products like mouthwash containing certain chemicals, as well as household cleaning goods like bleach and toilet cleaners.
Cleaning products that require child safety features could include push-and-twist caps, line-up cap arrows, or squeeze and turn tops to meet the desired standards.
- Some gardening chemicals
ISO 8317: 2015 packaging requirements also state that any gardening products with harsh chemicals will need child safety packaging features. Products include fertilisers and pesticides while there should be an emphasis on reclosable packaging, especially as many garden chemicals are sold in large sizes even for residential usage.
The regulations aren’t as strict in Europe and the US, although manufacturers hoping to sell in those markets will still want to pass the regularity compliance.
- E-liquid and vaping products
Vaping has become a big business and is considered safer than traditional smoking in many quarters, however, e-liquid items should still be manufactured in bottles and containers that cannot be easily opened by kids. The industry is still in its infancy and the regulations for products and packaging have been in place since it started. Brands must not get it wrong.
The US and Europe have slightly different regulations but the rules are still in place to ensure that the contents cannot be accessed by youngsters.
Meeting industry regulations
While one of the main incentives for adopting child safety comes from maintaining ethical responsibility, it is more than just a concept and manufacturers must meet the industry regulations. Four different industry standards are used for CR packaging depending on the type of packaging in question. They are;
- BS EN ISO 8317:2004 – an international standard aimed at reclosable packaging.
- BS EN 14375:2003 – a European standard aimed at non-reclosable packaging for medication packaging.
- BS EN 862:2005 – a European standard aimed at non-reclosable packaging for non-medication packaging
- 16 CFR 1700.20 – an American regulation which covers both reclosable and non-reclosable packaging.
UK companies will usually comply with one of the first three regulations. To pass the certification, a packaging product must be tested by a group of 200 children aged 42-51 months. They will have five minutes to open the package, followed by another five minutes after watching a demonstration. A product will pass if at least 85% fail to open the package before the demonstration, and at least 80% fail after it.
In addition to child testing, products must be checked for the ability to be opened by adults, and score a 90% pass rate.
Suiting a wide range of clients
Of course, child-resistant packaging is primarily built to protect children and give peace of mind to the parents. As stated, though, the products do go through regulatory compliance tests for adult accessibility.
Senior-friendly CR packaging comes under the UK regulations of BS EN 28317:1993 and BS 8404: 2001. Some of the key features include using paperboard packaging or making the labels easy to read. As the paperboard, shows less resistance than traditional caps but is not vulnerable to child tampering, it is possible to have both features covered in the same product packaging.
Customisation
Any company that requires child-resistant packaging must first focus on the function, safety, and compliance features. However, it should also play a central role in branding. The child safety elements deliver a USP while customisation can make the products more attractive too.
Bespoke design for medicinal cannabis packaging and other suitable products should cover a range of elements, such as;
- The colour scheme,
- Text placements,
- Integration with the outside packaging,
The best packaging design will give an adult the information they need while preventing any threat of making it more attractive to youngsters. Product packaging can also be customised to suit different sizing options of various products, which is another key feature brands may wish to consider.
Conclusion
The concept of child-resistant packaging is far from new and has been used by UK companies for almost 50 years to save many lives and prevent even more unwanted hospital trips. As a key component of corporate responsibility, it can work alongside other features like green packaging, to take a brand’s overall output to a whole new level. It is the best solution for consumers and companies alike.
To learn more about childproof packaging that will pass all UK and international regulations, contact Origin today.