Three Numbers Define China’s 2010 Food and Cosmetics Packaging Slimming Standard, Sparking Industry Debate

China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and the Standardization Administration of China issued the national standard Requirements for Limiting Excessive Packaging of Commodities — Food and Cosmetics, which took effect on April 1, 2010. The rule boils down to three numbers: packaging void ratio must stay at or below 60%, packaging may not exceed three layers, and packaging cost must not exceed 20% of the product’s selling price. Online, however, the author found that some businesses and industry associations have challenged the standard, with some opposing it outright. Their argument: packaging design involves artistry; a blanket numerical approach feels rigid; and because products vary widely in shape, value and packaging needs, three figures cannot easily cover every case.

Differing views from companies are not unusual. Yet for a 'slimming standard' aimed at excessive packaging, numerical limits are essential. Without mandatory figures and with only broad principles, how would regulators define and penalise over-packaging? The standard would lose its practical core and value, becoming little more than an attractive but useless ornament.

Look closer, and the three numbers serve one goal: simpler packaging that saves resources and cuts costs without compromising product quality or transport safety. The 60% void-ratio cap and the three-layer cap limit package volume. Excess volume wastes materials, takes up more space on vehicles and retail shelves, pushes up freight and packaging costs, and ultimately raises what consumers pay. The 20% cost ceiling restricts the use of wood, metal and other expensive packaging materials.

From the author’s perspective, numerical limits on packaging serve two purposes. First, they enforce thrift. Statistics show that China discards 280 billion yuan worth of packaging waste every year, wasting resources and polluting the environment, while disposing of that waste also costs substantial money. Second, they reduce the cost burden on consumers. Numeric rules are also common internationally: France’s Packaging Law limits packaging void ratios and packaging costs and bans wooden packaging for food and cosmetics, making it stricter than China.

As is well known, buyers seek use value first and good quality at a low price second. In an era of severe resource scarcity, the state must also consider intensive production and packaging and seek maximum resource savings. Packaging art comes later; it should rest on affordability and resource efficiency. Pursuing so-called packaging art while wasting resources and raising costs puts the cart before the horse and should be rejected.

Numerical assessment can be seen as an energy-saving, environmentally friendly packaging revolution. It will create difficulties for manufacturers and retailers, but they must adapt by reforming packaging concepts, technology and processes. Profiting heavily from excessive packaging is now a dead end.

Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original article: http://news.pack.cn/show-362289.html