Packaging has come a very long way since its humble beginnings of gourds and clay pots. These days, the world of packaging is much more complex, needing to be safe and sustainable whilst remaining appealing and functional. An international guide has just been revised to help organizations ensure their packaging meets growing consumer needs.
Some things never change. Did you know that the humble glass bottle – now making a comeback thanks to its facility for recycling – was first commercialized by the ancient Egyptians some 3 500 years ago?1) About 1 300 years later, the Chinese gave us paper, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that branding started appearing on packaging, leading to bar codes, nutrition facts and a whole lot more.
These days, packaging must not only conform to legal requirements, it needs to appeal to consumers as well, helping them make informed choices. ISO/IEC Guide 41, Packaging – Recommendations for addressing consumer needs, an international document published jointly by ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), provides guidance to product designers, manufacturers, regulators, and others involved in decision making regarding packaging – including standards developers.