Child-proof protective packaging has become a priority in the packaging industry.
Global regulations are pushing for the adoption of protective packaging of this kind, including safety caps and designs that prevent accidental ingestion or use of dangerous products.. In this article we will explore how these regulations are shaping the future of packaging and the innovative solutions emerging to ensure maximum safety.
Protective packaging: global regulations
Global child safety regulations are continually evolving to reduce the risks associated with unauthorized access to dangerous products.
Countries like the United States and the European Union have introduced stringent regulations requiring child resistance protective packaging for a wide range of products, from medications to household cleaners.
In the United States, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) requires that many products, such as prescription drugs, household chemicals and other dangerous substances, be packaged in containers that cannot be easily opened by children under five. Instead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets specific requirements for these containers.
In Europe, the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) and the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) require protective packaging for hazardous substances and mixtures.
Specifically, the UNI EN ISO 8317:2016 standard establishes requirements for child-proof reclosable packaging, while the UNI EN 14375:2016 standard applies to non-reclosable packaging, such as single-dose containers and blister packs.
These standards outline testing methods and performance requirements to ensure that the packaging resists children’s attempts to open it.
Compliance testing to ensure packaging safety
The global regulations mentioned above clearly define the requirements and tests needed to ensure the safety of child-proof protective packaging.
These tests involve both children and adults.
Children, aged between 42 and 51 months, are given 10 minutes to try to open the packaging. If they are unsuccessful, they are shown a demonstration of how to open it and are given an additional 5 minutes to try again. Packaging is deemed compliant if at least 85% of children cannot open it within the first five minutes and 80% cannot open it after the demonstration.
Adults, aged between 50 and 70, must be able to open the packaging within five minutes. If they succeed, they proceed to a second phase in which they have one minute to open another package. The packaging is compliant if at least 90% of adults can open it within the specified time.
Innovative features and design for child-proof protective packaging
Child-proof protective packaging must meet strict requirements to ensure safety without compromising ease of use for adults. Therefore, these packages must have complex mechanisms that prevent children from opening them, while remaining intuitive and simple for adults.
Child-proof packaging features various closure mechanisms depending on the type of packaging. One of the most common designs is the “push-and-turn” cap, primarily used for plastic or glass bottles. This system requires two simultaneous movements, making it difficult for children to open.
For secondary packaging made of paper and cardboard, common solutions include boxes with tuck-in or accordion flaps. Some packaging uses an opening “key”, an external element necessary to unlock the mechanism. Other solutions involve the simultaneous pressing of two buttons placed on the side edges of the packaging.
The future of packaging is increasingly geared towards child safety, with continuous innovations that respond to global regulations and consumer demands.
Companies in the industry must stay updated on regulatory changes and invest in research and development to create packaging solutions that are safe, practical and sustainable.
