Primary Packaging refers to the package that holds the product, and has the most direct contact

with the actual contents. For example, in a 12-pack box of canned soda, the cans are the primary packaging. Other types of primary packaging include potato chip bags, pharmaceutical bottles and egg cartons. Depending on the product, the primary package can face the customers on the retail shelf. Secondary Packaging is the container that holds the primary packaging. For the 12-pack of soda, the box that stores and carries the cans would be the secondary packaging. Kits that bundle together different products are also an example of secondary packaging. Secondary packaging is often ready retail-shelf ready. Tertiary packaging is used for shipping, bulk handling and warehouse storage, and is not commonly displayed on the retail shelf. Pallets used to transport products are considered tertiary packaging. In addition, stretch wrappers used to unitize pallet loads for easier, more stable transport are also a type of tertiary packaging.

Ex of primary

Primary Packaging Materials for Medicinal Products, Particular Requirements for the Application of ISO 9001:2000 with Reference to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Combining ISO 9001 and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), ISO 15378 specifies the requirements for quality system management and the application for the design, manufacture and supply of primary packaging materials for medicinal products. Pharmaceutical companies and their packaging suppliers can rely on this standard to help:

Minimize or eliminate instances of contamination, mix-ups, and errors. Reassure business partners and customers of commitment to quality Protect customers from purchasing potentially ineffective or dangerous products

The introduction of ISO 15378 gives companies in the pharmaceutical sector a more direct path to implement Good Manufacturing Practices and quality management.

Advantages

LNE/G-MED America has the necessary expertise to certify organizations under ISO 15378 in conjunction with other standards to provide fair, thorough assessment, which stands up to regulatory scrutiny. In addition, you benefit from:

Local Washington, DC based office with qualified auditors throughout North America to increase convenience and minimize travel costs Simultaneous certification for CE Marking, Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001) and other standards often performed by a single, highlyqualified auditor, to save you time and expense Widely recognized LNE/G-MED expertise as a European Notified Body (CE 0459), as an Accredited Certification Organization by France's accreditation body COFRAC, as a Registrar accredited by the Standards Council of Canada under the Canadian Medical Devices Conformity Assessment System (CMDCAS) and recognized by Health Canada and as a Third Party Accredited Person by the U.S. FDA Added services, such as product testing (EMC, electrical, mechanical, CB Scheme), product certification, pre-assessment audits and fast-track or onsite review for CE Marking

Symbols used on packages and labels

"Print & Apply" corner wrap UCC (GS1-128) label application to a pallet load A bar code encoding the word "Wikipedia" in Code 128

Many types of symbols for package labeling are nationally and internationally standardized. For consumer packaging, symbols exist for product certifications, trademarks, proof of purchase, etc. Some requirements and symbols exist to communicate aspects of consumer use and safety, for example the estimated sign that notes conformance to EU weights and measures accuracy regulations. Examples of environmental and recycling symbols include the recycling symbol, the resin identification code and the "Green Dot". Bar codes, Universal Product Codes, and RFID labels are common to allow automated information management in logistics and retailing. Country of Origin Labeling is often used.

Shipping container labeling

Technologies related to shipping containers are identification codes, bar codes, and electronic data interchange (EDI). These three core technologies serve to enable the business functions in the process of shipping containers throughout the distribution channel. Each has an essential function: identification codes either relate product information or serve as keys to other data, bar codes allow for the automated input of identification codes and other data, and EDI moves data between trading partners within the distribution channel. Elements of these core technologies include UPC and EAN item identification codes, the SCC14 (UPC shipping container code), the SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Codes), Interleaved 2-of-5 and UCC/EAN-128 (newly designated GS1-128) bar code symbologies, and ANSI ASC X12 and UN/EDIFACT EDI standards. Small parcel carriers often have their own formats. For example, United Parcel Service has a MaxiCode 2-D code for parcel tracking. RFID labels for shipping containers are also increasing in usage. A Wal-Mart division, Sam's Club, has also moved in this direction and is putting pressure on its suppliers for compliance.[13] Shipments of hazardous materials or dangerous goods have special information and symbols (labels, plackards, etc.) as required by UN, country, and specific carrier requirements. Two examples are below:

With transport packages, standardized symbols are also used to communicate handling needs. Some common ones are shown below while others are listed in ASTM D5445 "Standard Practice for Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods" and ISO 780 "Pictorial marking for handling of goods".

Do not use hand hooks

This way up

Fragile material

Keep away from water

Keep away from sunlight

Centre of gravity

Clamp as indicated

Do not clamp as indicated

Food contact material

Attention for this material Material

Glass

Advantages - reusable - heat-resistant - recyclable - keeps shape - low cost - recyclable - lightweight - impermeable - withstands heat processing - easy to print on - cheap to produce

Disadvantages

Uses

- fragile - safety issues - heavy

- baby foods - salad cream - pickles

Metal

- may react with food

- soup cans - take-away containers - bottle tops

Card/paper

- not waterresistant

- fruit-juice cartons

Material

Advantages - biodegradable - recyclable - can be moulded - can be coated - lightweight

Disadvantages - easily damaged

Uses - egg boxes

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Cans

June 15, 2011 View all articles in General

Aluminum is an incredibly useful metal fashioned from alumina, a naturally occurring substance found in bauxite ore. Currently, aluminum is one of the most widely-used metals in the world due to its abundance, durability, light weight, and conductivity. This versatile metal can be found in a variety of goods worldwide: airplanes, computer parts, telescope mirrors, abrasive cleaners, pots and pans, and much more.

ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM CANS

Aluminum is 100% recyclable and can be recycled almost indefinitely without loss of quality or durability. Aluminum beverage cans can be recycled, repurposed, and back in the store in as little as two months. The average recycling rate of aluminum cans 68%, the highest rate of recycling of any resource. The use of recycled aluminum in manufacturing utilizes 95% less energy than creating aluminum from raw materials.

DISADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM CANS

The aluminum industry was responsible for 140 million tons of CO2 production in 2005 alone. Aluminum is a non-renewable resource, and it takes 2-4 tons of bauxite to produce just one ton of aluminum through smelting and refining. Aluminum production spends over $2.3 billion annually for energy. Most of that energy is used to create aluminum: over 1 quadrillion Btu of electricity a year. Some research suggests that BPA, a chemical lining found in some aluminum cans, may pose health risks.