Certifications in the packaging industry are extremely complex and varied, especially in the food industry, and they exist to verify that manufacturers meet the highest standards in all areas of packaging manufacturing. The following blog post tells you how packaging manufacturers can get certified and why they need it.
1. Benefits of packaging certification for packaging companies
Packaging manufacturers’ certifications are important for packaging companies. Because more and more conscious consumers are demanding that companies take more concrete actions to reduce their environmental impact. Fifty percent of global consumers interviewed by ITC Cosmetics researchers in Q3 2019 highlighted how businesses should do more to protect the environment. Buyers are now more concerned about ocean plastic pollution and other issues associated with traditional packaging.
Consumers are increasingly choosing which brands to buy based on the sustainability of their products and the look of their packaging. Sustainable sourcing and production are now parts of creating packaging attractive to customers. Similar to certified products, retail, and product packaging can also be certified so that they can carry an environmental label.
Selecting a service provider that offers certified packaging substrates can benefit your business in many ways.
1) Risk management
All certifications presented here include a supply chain verification component. This means that the third party has confirmed responsible business practices throughout the supply chain. This reduces commercial risks such as legal and reputational risks of unethical supply chains. Certification against the use of hazardous materials also reduces risks associated with public and environmental health.
2) Enhance the brand image
Integrating credible certifications into packaging can do a good job of representing a brand in the eyes of customers. The third-party certification confirms that packaging materials are sourced and sourced sustainably, showing consumers that a company takes sustainability seriously.
Additionally, these certifications require paperwork, which means your business and/or certification body collects a wealth of data about your company’s sustainability efforts. Reporting this information to buyers can increase your company’s transparency and improve your brand reputation.
3) Higher profitability on the one hand
The environmental management required by the certification body involves optimizing the use of resources such as water and energy. This practice may reduce the cost of packaging materials. On the other hand, certified packaging has an advantage in the market. Lowering packaging and product prices often lead to greater margins on your products.
2. What are the main ways and steps to obtain certification?
Every certification body is different and will have different processes. The process will have a similar format. The packaging manufacturer decides which certification to obtain. The manufacturer will then purchase the certification body’s standard requirements and conduct research.
Manufacturers will compare the standards and procedures they use with those required by the organization. If manufacturers feel they need help, manufacturers can hire professionals to help them establish their standards and practices, and then once commission a registered third-party auditor.
To compensate for auditing their facilities. Auditors will then identify any allegations of non-compliance and recommend corrective actions. Typically, certifications usually need to be renewed (reviewed and paid for) every year or every few years.
3. Where do these high standards come from?
The need for high standards that these accreditation bodies aspire to deliver depends on the interest
- a company that sourced the packaging
- a company that buys products for resale (retailers)
- consumer
Next comes the company that buys the product – the retailer. For example, retailers such as Walmart or large grocery chains have very strict requirements for all of their suppliers. Assuming you produce grain, your buyers need to know that your packaging is sustainable and you need to put the SFI or FSC logo on it.
4. FSC-certified packaging
Packaging manufacturers to get a certification that has high requirements for their product is necessary. In the packaging industry, following sustainable packaging certifications are most common.
1) Types of Sustainable Packaging Certifications
The following are types of sustainable packaging certifications.
#1. FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification)
Designated certification bodies use ten guiding principles to determine whether to certify a forest. Foresters must manage the area to protect and benefit workers, communities, and local biodiversity while maintaining profitability.
#2. FSC chain of custody certification
FSC certification confirms that supply chain members have correctly identified and sorted materials from certified forests. This verification ensures that sustainably sourced materials reach their destination and become the intended end product.
2) Differentiate the FSC label
The following are different FSC labels.
#1. Forest Stewardship Council 100%
Only materials from FSC-certified forests are used in products bearing this label. These products are guaranteed to support socially and environmentally responsible forest management.
#2. FSC recycling
Products are made with 100% recycled content. This includes post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled materials. Recycled materials preserve forest resources and keep habitats away from virgin wood.
#3. FSC blend
Products bearing this label are made from a blend of FSC-certified, recycled, and/or FSC-controlled wood materials. The certification helps reduce the risk of timber from unacceptable sources such as illegal logging entering the market.
3) FSC certification process
FSC uses the latest technology to advance its mission. It uses satellites for earth observation, blockchain, and digital audit reports to enhance the certification and certification maintenance process. It also works to identify and support sustainable tree/timber-based supply chains. Authenticity and transparency are ensured through transaction verification, timber identification, and sample testing.
4) FSC-certified packaging is perfect for your business
Sustainability can be demonstrated by using FSC-certified paper and packaging. In light of climate change and rapid deforestation, businesses should support FSC’s mission of responsible forest stewardship. In addition, FSC certification can affect the public’s perception of your company. To demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, consider FSC-certified paper and packaging solutions. Packaging materials are often difficult to determine if they are 100% FSC certified.
You may not see the FSC label on all the materials you use because supply chains are long and complex and non-FSC-certified materials may be mixed in. By working with a packaging specialist, you can ensure your packaging is FSC certified as they can work with suppliers on this.
5. Conclusion
Brands have a hard time measuring sustainability. Every company has its own set of goals, and priorities vary by industry. Even companies working to reduce their environmental impact can have difficulty communicating these advances to their customers.
We have strict requirements on packaging materials, and all of them have passed SGS-certified FSC, which can provide you with first-class packaging. For more information, please contact us.
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