Child-Resistant Packaging Outlined by CPSC

By Daphne Allen, Editor

The Consumer Product Safety Commission catalogs closures and containers on its Web site.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has posted an online guide to child-resistant packaging (CRP) components and containers on its Web site, www.cpsc.gov/businfo/pppaguid/crpindex.html. Careful not to endorse any of the listed products or companies, the CPSC has built the repository using technical details provided by technology suppliers.

MAC Closures Inc. (Waterloo, QC, Canada) provided images of and information on its FTCR19500 design, which is a two-piece compact package with a snap closure. Available in two sizes (pictured at top left), the package features a lift-and-peel induction seal (pictured at right) and a plastic bottom plug (pictured at bottom left) that permanently snaps into the bottom of the closure to form a package for dry products.

According to the commission, the Web-based guide is not “a comprehensive listing of all CRP available or all CRP that can be used for products regulated under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA).” Packaging components and containers are sorted by ASTM classification, manufacturer, and package type.

Also, “CPSC staff has not certified or verified the manufacturers’ test data on child-resistance or senior-adult-use-effectiveness,” the commission says. Product packagers are responsible for determining whether a particular component or package is suitable for their products and intended uses.

CPSC also notes that “packaging designated as CRP may only be used as the primary packaging. Using these packages as secondary packaging would not comply with the PPPA.”

Several providers of CRP for pharmaceuticals have submitted detailed PDFs of their offerings. These include (but are not limited to) Alcan Packaging Cebal, Berry Plastics Corp., Cardinal Health, Colbert Packaging, Howell Packaging, Intini Marketing Inc., Keystone Folding Box Co., MAC Closures Inc., MeadWestvaco Healthcare Packaging, Owens-Illinois, Rexam Closures & Containers, Rondo AG, Sanner of America, Stora Enso Packaging Boards, Stull Technologies, Top Seal Corp., Van Blarcom Closures Inc., and Seaquist Perfect Dispensing.

For instance, Cardinal Health provides information on its Slide Pack and E-Z Tear blister packages, while MAC Closures Inc. shares information on its FTCR19000, FTCR19100, FTCR19500, and MACDuma closures.

The guide is a joint effort by the CPSC staff and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has also posted its own version on its Web Site at www.epa.gov as well as its own list of CRP manufacturers and CRP testing firms.

For more information on the guide, including instructions for submitting material for inclusion, contact:

John W. Boja, Ph.D.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Directorate for Health Sciences
Rm. 600
4330 E. West Hwy.
Bethesda, MD 20814-4408
Phone: 301/504-7300
Fax: 301/504-0079
E-mail: jboja@cpsc.gov

Rosalind L. Gross, Ph.D.
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs (7505C)
Registration Div.
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 703/308-7368
Fax: 703/308-9382
E-mail: Gross.Rosalind@epa.gov