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The coding and marking of packaging industry are essential mainly due to the need to meet the following core goals:
1. Traceability: Track the entire supply chain process through a unique code.
2. Safety: Clear operating instructions and hazardous materials information.
3. Compliance: Comply with international, national and industry regulations.
4. Efficiency: Support automated sorting, warehousing and logistics management.
Choosing proper packaging methods and how information are marked on can not only help reduce manufacuters' cost, improve commercial success, but also protect your brand and products, and your customers.
The coding and marking requirements of the packaging industry involve multiple aspects, aiming to ensure the traceability, safety and compliance of products during transportation, storage and circulation. The following are the main demand classifications:
1. Basic transportation information
- Consignee/consignor information: name, address, contact information.
- Destination identification: port code, warehouse number, distribution center code.
- Package count: total number of pieces, such as "1/20" means the first piece of 20 pieces.
2. Transport operation instructions
- Operation instructions: such as "fragile", "upward", "moisture-proof" and other icons, in accordance with ISO 780 or ASTM D5445 standards.
- Weight and size: gross weight, net weight, volume (Length x Width x Height).
3. Dangerous goods identification
- UN number: United Nations dangerous goods number (UNDG), such as UN 1263 for paint.
- Hazard category label: explosives, flammable liquids, corrosives, etc., in accordance with GHS (Globally Harmonized System) standards.
1. Global unified coding (GS1 standard)
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): uniquely identifies commodities, such as retail units or logistics units.
- SSCC-18 (Serial Freight Container Code): 18 digits uniquely identify logistics units, such as pallets and containers.
- GLN (Global Location Number): identifies logistics nodes, such as warehouses and supplier addresses.
2. Batch and traceability coding
- Lot Number/Batch Number: used to track production batches.
- Production Date/Expiration Date: Food, medicine, chemicals, etc. need to be marked with shelf life.
- Serial Number (SN): uniquely identifies a single product, used for high-value or precision equipment.
3. Industry-specific coding
- Drug supervision code: such as GHS symbols for chemical packaging or FDA drug supervision codes.
- Automotive parts coding: in line with AIAG or VDA standards, such as Volkswagen and General Motors supply chain.
1. Material labeling
- Recycling mark: Indicates that the packaging is recyclable, such as plastic material code, of which PET is ♳1, and HDPE is ♴2.
- Environmental certification: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), degradable classes, such as OK Compost HOME.
2. Regulatory compliance labeling
- RoHS/WEEE: Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.
- REACH: EU Chemical Safety Label.
1. Machine-readable coding
- One-dimensional (1D) barcodes: Code 128, ITF-14 (for outer boxes).
- Two-dimensional (2D) codes: Store more information, such as production batches, logistics routes and brand name. 2D codes commonly include QR code, DataMatrix code, and Dot-code.
- RFID tags: For wireless tracking of pallets or containers.
2. Smart packaging technology
- NFC tags: Interactive information that supports mobile phone scanning.
- Temperature/humidity sensor tags: Record environmental data in cold chain logistics.
1. Multilingual labels
- Export packaging must include the language of the destination country, such as English, Spanish, and Chinese.
- Comply with labeling regulations of the target market, such as the EU CE mark and the US FCC certification.
2. International standards
- ISO 15394: Global specifications for packaging barcodes and labels.
- ISO 22715: Cosmetic packaging labeling requirements.
1. Food and medicine
- Shelf life, ingredient list, and storage conditions, such as "refrigerated".
- Drugs must be marked with batch numbers and manufacturer license numbers.
2. Chemicals and hazardous materials
- UN packaging certification code, such as "4G" for fiberboard boxes.
- QR code of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
3. E-commerce logistics
- Order number, return address, and sorting code, such as Amazon FNSKU.
Considering the length limit of the post, we will introduce the methods of packaging marking and coding in the next post. You can read: Coding and Marking in Industrial Packaging (Part 2)