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It is critical to have retail packaging that appeals to your target clients to capture their attention and encourage them to purchase your product. However, if you want your product to reach clients in the first place, you must ensure that your packaging complies with the regulatory standards of the market you are targeting. In the United States and Canada, there are numerous packaging and labelling rules. It can be challenging to figure out which ones are relevant to your industry, let alone know which laws and regulations apply. We understand the difficulties, which is why we’ve put together this summary of the most significant packaging and labelling laws in North America to keep in mind when creating retail packaging for your product.
Packaging and Labelling Regulations in the US
Fair Packaging and Labelling Act
The goal of the FPLA is to make it easy to compare the prices of similar products and to eliminate deceptive packaging and labelling declarations on household goods (food, drug, device, or cosmetic). It covers any broad consumer product packaging for individual retail sales. It does not apply to non-consumable household products (such as toys and tools) or to outside packaging that is not visible to customers. Meats, poultry, cigarettes, prescription medications, alcoholic drinks, and seeds are all exempt from the Fair Packaging and Labelling Act.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are in charge of enforcing this statute (Federal Trade Commission). It governs the design, typesetting, and language of mandatory information such as the product’s name and amount, as well as information about the producer and distributor.
Poison Prevention Packaging Act
The PPPA was designed to keep children under the age of five from opening potentially dangerous products and drinking or eating the contents. It mandates that home products containing chemicals be packaged in a way that is difficult for youngsters to open while being accessible to adults. In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission oversees the labelling of products containing potentially harmful chemicals.
The National Environmental Policy Act
The NEPA 40 CFR 1500-1508 regulations encourage efforts to protect the environment while also promoting men’s well-being. All government agencies are bound by them.
Uniform Packaging and Labelling Regulation
Also applicable to most types of packaging is UPLR, as well as NIST Handbook 130 – 2020. This guidebook includes recommendations and interpretations for packaging and labelling standards, as well as the most recent Uniform Laws and Regulations.
Packaging and Labelling Regulations in Canada
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
In Canada, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act mandates the inclusion of relevant and accurate labelling information on prepackaged consumer items so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. Product name, net amount, and dealer identification are all required to be on the package of items in Canada, according to packaging standards. In the case of non-food items, the Competition Bureau of Industry Canada is in charge of enforcing this act.
Food Label Requirements
The Consumer Retail Packaging and Labelling Act, unlike the Fair Packaging and Labelling Act in the United States, does not apply to food goods. Food products are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and must comply with food labelling regulations. The Industry Labelling Tool contains easy-to-understand labelling information as well as a food labelling requirements checklist that may be used to ensure that your package meets all of the standards.
It is critical to understand that all mandatory information for a product sold across Canada must be bilingual (English and French). Manufacturer information, on the other hand, can be in either of those two languages. When it comes to bilingual information, there are also exclusions for specialty and local products.
Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations
Canada is dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, as well as to long-term development. It has a chemicals management strategy, which is a project aimed at reducing the environmental danger created by chemicals. The five principal regulated classifications in CCCR 2001 are toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, rapid skin-bonding adhesives, and pressurized containers. You should review the Reference Manual if your product contains potentially harmful compounds.
Retail Packaging Solutions By Atlantic Packaging
This list could go on, but these are the most essential retail packaging and labelling rules you’ll encounter for the vast majority of products. Understanding the fundamentals will help you determine what should be included in the packaging.
You can also reach out to Atlantic Packaging: retail packaging specialists for assistance in creating the greatest possible packaging design for your goods. Contact us today at 1800.268.5620 and our design specialists can assist you with packaging layout and design options keeping in mind all the requirements that your packaging should meet. We provide total packaging and corrugated packaging solutions to our clients at every point.
