Standards on packaging
Well packaged
When goods are transported, they are well packaged. With regard to dimensions, terminology and safety, packaging can rely on a sound basis provided by International Standards.
When it comes to foodstuffs, health protection is of special concern to packaging standardisers. But also other special cases, such as dangerous goods or medical products, are covered by well-conceived standards.
- Credit: ASI prm
Agreement on principles
In Europe, free trade between countries is of great importance. For this reason, there is agreement among the countries on packaging and its basic principles in standardisation.
Dimensions, materials and the safety of packaging machines are governed by harmonised rules throughout Europe. Specifically for the Austrian market, standards lay down specialised terms and definitions.
Basic packaging standards:
ÖNORM EN 13427: Packaging - Requirements for the use of European Standards in the field of packaging and packaging waste
ÖNORM A 5405 (seven parts): Packaging terminology
ÖNORM A 5430 (three parts): Packaging - Dimensional coordination
ÖNORM EN 415 (nine parts): Safety of packaging machines
- Credit: ASI prm
In pulp and paper
When bread, meat or vegetables are packaged in paper, standardisation takes special care of the wrapping. Its dye and chemical composition must not be detrimental to health.
Paper and foodstuffs (examples):
ÖNORM EN 646: Paper and board (in contact with foodstuffs): Colour fastness
ÖNORM EN 12497: … Determination of mercury
ÖNORM EN 12498: … Determination of cadmium and lead
ÖNORM EN 1230: … Sensory analysis
- Credit: ASI prm
In plastic
Be they hard and compact or soft and transparent, plastic products are used to package many foodstuffs. To guarantee that substances contained in the plastic packaging do not migrate to the foodstuffs, standards lay down specific properties and requirements.
Plastic packaging (examples):
ÖNORM EN 14867: Plastic freezer bags
ÖNORM EN 15386: Laminate and plastic tubes
ÖNORM EN 277: Sacks for the transport of food aid - Sacks made of woven polypropylene fabric
- Credit: ASI prm
In cans and foils
Foils, cans and lids made of metal have to meet high standards. If too much metal enters the foodstuffs, this could endanger human health.
At the European level, standards specify the criteria to be fulfilled by metal packaging used for that purpose.
Foodstuffs and metal (examples):
ÖNORM EN 541: Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Rolled products for cans, closures and lids - Specifications
ÖNORM EN 14392: Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Requirements for anodised products for use in contact with foodstuff
ÖNORM EN 546 (four parts): Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Foils
- Credit: ASI prm
Sensitive issues and well-conceived solutions
When special products are packaged, standards provide support. Surgical instruments have to be disinfected and maintained sterile.
Dangerous goods - explosives, gases and flammable, radioactive or corrosive substances - require appropriate packaging during transport.
Special packaging cases (examples):
ÖNORM EN 868: Packaging materials and systems for medical devices which are to be sterilized (seven parts), e.g.: part 4 on paper bags, part 5 on heat and self-sealable pouches and reels of paper and plastic film construction
ÖNORM EN ISO 23667: Transport packaging for dangerous goods
ÖNORM EN 13592: Plastics sacks for household waste collection
ÖNORM EN ISO 20848: Packaging - Plastics drums
- Credit: ASI prm
Recycling
When packaging has served its purpose, the next issue to be addressed is how to reduce packaging waste as far as possible. In the future, recycling of packaging will play an even bigger role than ever before.
