by Scott Katz | Nov 19, 2024 | Cannabis Packaging, Child Resistant Cannabis Packaging
Child-resistant packaging is an essential feature of the cannabis industry. But as you go about your packaging design, you may wonder about the importance of child-resistant boxes. Here’s everything you need to know.
What are Child-Resistant Boxes?
Since cannabis is harmful to children, all manufacturers are required to place products in child-resistant packaging. Simply put, child-resistant boxes are packaging that reduces the risk of accidental consumption in children under 5 years old.
In other words, this packaging type makes it more difficult for children to access the contents. Children lack finely tuned motor skills and dexterity. These deficiencies make it difficult for them to complete multiple movements and varying pressures at once, all of which are features of child-resistant packaging.
History Behind Child-Resistant Boxes
Child-resistant packaging was introduced as a reaction to reports of child poisonings from accidental ingestion. More specifically, in 1970, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) was written to reduce child risk to harmful substances.
Since then, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulated child-resistant packaging. This organization establishes all the standards, rules, and regulations.
While “child-proof” packaging doesn’t exist, child-resistant packaging is real and has saved lives. It’s estimated the rate of death by poisoning in children under 5 has been reduced by 1.4 per million since the PPPA was introduced.
Why Child-Resistant Packaging is Required in the Cannabis Industry
Cannabis manufacturers need to incorporate child-resistant packaging for a few reasons, and these include the following:
Safety
In the cannabis industry, child safety is a top priority. Cannabis packaging can sometimes appeal to children, having colorful patterns or cartoon characters. Ensuring children can’t access the product inside is essential to avoid them mistaking such products for their favorite candy or snack.
Compliance
Within the cannabis industry, child-resistant packaging is a requirement in all states. In other words, by not using child-resistant packaging, you’re breaking the law and can be subjected to heavy fines or even jail time
It’s important to remember that such packaging goes beyond child-resistant packaging. In the cannabis industry, you must also have state-compliant labels (these vary depending on the state you operate from).
Consumer Trust
Since the cannabis industry is so new, gaining consumer trust has been a staple for all businesses. Most do this through various practices, such as third-party lab testing.
However, creating high-quality child-resistant packaging is another way to ensure customers that your products meet industry standards. This may lead to increased sales and further customer loyalty.
Quality Maintenance
While child-resistant packaging helps protect children, it also preserves cannabis. The multiple seals found in such packaging are a great way to prevent exposure to degrading elements, such as oxygen and moisture.
How to Determine if Your Box is Child-Resistant
If you’re not sure whether or not your cannabis packaging is child-resistant, some independent third-party companies can run lab-certified tests. These companies follow CPSC standards for child resistance and ensure whether or not your packaging meets these guidelines.
As mentioned above, consumer trust is an essential element of the cannabis industry. If you can receive a lab certification for your child-resistant boxes, this will only further consumer trust.
These tests will have children between 42 to 51 months of age participate in an attempt to open your packaging. If 85% of the children are unable to open the packaging within five minutes and 80% still can’t even after a demonstration, your packaging is considered to pass.
Can You Customize Child-Resistant Boxes?
Yes! While you need to ensure that your boxes meet child-resistant standards, this isn’t to say you’re not allowed to develop unique packaging. In fact, it’s encouraged you to get creative with your packaging to ensure brand identity and customer satisfaction.
If you’re unsure how to make your brand stand out, Custom 420 can help. Our in-house team of designers is keen on the cannabis industry and which types of products stand out to customers.
Final Word
Not sure where to source child-resistant boxes? Custom 420 offers various options, from child-resistant slide-tin boxes to 1-inch square child-resistant boxes. In other words, we have a box size for any of your needs!
We invite you to reach out through our contact form to get started.
Child-Resistant Boxes FAQs
What’s the difference between child-resistant and child-proof? There’s no such thing as “child-proof” packaging. In other words, no packaging can 100% prevent a child from opening it. However, child-resistant packaging refers to Mylar bags, boxes, and other containers that are extremely difficult for children to open.
What is the Child-Resistant Cap Act? This is a law that requires certain items (i.e. prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, household chemicals, etc.) to be placed in child-resistant packaging.
What is considered child-resistant packaging? As discussed above, there are certificate programs that run tests to see if your packaging is child-resistant. If 85% of children are unable to open a package and 80% are unable to open it after being shown a demonstration, then your packaging is considered child-resistant.
by Scott Katz | Nov 16, 2023 | Cannabis Branding, Child Resistant Cannabis Packaging, Custom Mylar Bags
In the ever-evolving landscape of the cannabis industry, “Mylar” has become a catch-all term for the variety of bags used to package everything from flower to edibles. Despite ongoing discussions to reduce plastic waste, this widespread use underscores Mylar’s flexibility and the industry’s reliance on it, despite ongoing discussions about reducing plastic waste. Mylar bag design, known for its myriad benefits, is here to stay in the cannabis sector.
Advantages of Mylar Bag Design
Mylar bags are favored in the cannabis industry and beyond due to their numerous advantages. These include:
- Airtight sealing
- Cost-effectiveness
- Customizable packaging sizes and shapes
- Diverse printing and embellishment options
- Lightweight design
- Recyclability and compostability
- Tear resistance and child safety features
Such benefits make Mylar bag design ideal for brands aiming to distinguish themselves in the competitive cannabis market. Not only do these bags help products stand out on dispensary shelves, but they also meet regulatory requirements and appeal to consumers seeking convenient, long-lasting packaging.
Choosing the Right Mylar Bag Design Partner
It’s critical to partner with a mylar bag packaging company that offers a range of customization and embellishment options. This ensures that you receive the best quality at competitive prices.
Top Five Strategies for Leveraging Mylar Bag Design in Cannabis Branding
1.) Custom Sizes for Distinctive Branding
The manufacturing process of mylar bags allows for a variety of sizes, catering to different product needs. From small pouches for a gram of product to larger sizes for bulk purchases, these custom sizes help your brand stand out.
2.) Unique Shapes for Brand Recognition
To differentiate your brand, consider custom-shaped die-cut mylar bags. A unique shape can become synonymous with your brand, similar to the iconic Coca-Cola bottle shape. Balancing creativity and practicality in your bag design can result in a memorable packaging experience.
3.) Child-Resistant Features for Safety and Compliance
Incorporating child-resistant features into your mylar bags is often a regulatory necessity and a consumer preference. Options range from child-resistant zippers to designs that require a sharp tool to open, suitable for one-time-use products.
4.) Distinctive Materials and Embellishments for Brand Enhancement
Mylar bags offer a plethora of material and print options. The choices are vast, from gloss and metallic finishes to holographic and soft-touch materials. Matching these options with your brand’s identity can elevate the consumer experience.
5.) Eco-Friendly Options for Sustainable Branding
Responding to the increase in demand for environmentally-friendly packaging, mylar bags are now available in compostable materials, balancing eco-friendliness with durability and child safety.
Conclusion: Mylar Bags as a Marketing Tool
Mylar bags offer a versatile and innovative solution for cannabis packaging. They allow brands to make a statement and cater to consumer preferences. From customization in size and shape to sustainable options, mylar bags are an indispensable tool in the cannabis industry’s branding arsenal. Learn more about custom mylar bags.
by Scott Katz | Oct 3, 2023 | Child Resistant Cannabis Packaging, Compliant Cannabis Packaging
The cannabis industry has grown exponentially. Its diversifying its market and stretching its tentacles into various sectors, from recreational use to medicinal applications. Amidst this boom emerges a pivotal aspect that demands our collective attention and conscientiousness: child-resistant cannabis packaging.
Undoubtedly, the importance of integrating robust and practical child resistance into cannabis packaging cannot be overstated. It weaves a secure thread that intertwines consumer safety with responsible distribution and usage.
A Confluence of Safety and Compliance
In a sphere where the consumer base is as diverse as the product offerings, it’s paramount to ensure that cannabis products are packaged in a manner that is safe and compliant with regulatory standards. This not only substantiates the industry’s commitment to safeguarding the younger demographic but also fortifies its standing in terms of legal adherence and social responsibility.
Children are inherently curious and explorative. They often navigate through items that may pose significant risks if consumed or handled improperly. CR packaging stands as a formidable barrier. Its meticulously designed to be effortlessly managed by adults while remaining notably challenging for children to open.
Nurturing a Responsible Image
The incorporation of child-resistant mechanisms in packaging strategies meets the statutory prerequisites and broadcasts a potent message regarding ethical stance. This consideration not only en-shields the vulnerable but also mitigates the potential reputational risks associated with accidental ingestion by minors.
Moreover, an industry that’s presented as being innately responsible and considerate of societal well-being inherently garners a favorable public and market perception. It advances the narrative of a sector. Showing that it’s not solely profit-driven but is deeply embedded in cultivating a positive and responsible image.
Investing in Innovative CR Solutions
Investing in innovative CR packaging solutions promises a sustainable trajectory that reflects an aware and conscious market presence. These solutions amalgamate cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design. They ensure that packaging is compliant with safety norms and convenient/accessible for adult users.
An effective CR packaging solution reconciles sturdiness with ease of use. It employs mechanisms that are intuitive to adults while persistently deterring access by children. The cannabis industry, thereby, embeds itself with a dynamic that serves its compliance/safety agenda and propagates a user-oriented approach.
Encapsulating Sustainability and Safety
Integrating sustainability with safety, the canvas of CR packaging can be painted with environmentally friendly materials. These processes serve to protect children and conscientiously contribute to environmental conservation.
Biodegradable materials, recycling-oriented packaging designs, and resource-efficient manufacturing processes stitch together a strategy that serves dual purposes. It projects the cannabis industry as a realm that is attentive to the immediate social/ethical responsibilities and foresees/addresses long-term environmental challenges.
A Consistent Path Towards Educational Initiatives
The amalgamation of CR packaging with consistent educational initiatives forms a holistic approach towards safe cannabis use. Educating the adult consumer base about the paramount importance of CR packaging and providing clear instructions regarding its usage and safe storage practices amplifies the effectiveness of the packaging itself.
Moreover, aligning CR packaging with educational materials that underscore the potential risks and safety protocols ensures that messages are coherent and reinforced at every consumer interaction point.
Final Word
The architecture of CR packaging in the cannabis industry lays down a foundation that’s deeply rooted in safeguarding the young and vulnerable, while concurrently scaffolding an image that’s responsible, compliant, and user-centric. From adhering to legal paradigms to nurturing a societal image that is ethically and environmentally attuned, child-resistant packaging emerges not just as a regulatory mandate but as a principle and strategic choice.
In entwining safety, compliance, innovation, sustainability, and education into its tapestry, the cannabis industry fortifies its stance, projecting a future that is as secure and stable as it is pioneering and prosperous. If you need child-resistant packaging, you can contact us to learn more!
