ISO standards are internationally recognized specifications for products, services and systems. They are put in place to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency, so they are clearly important to the packaging industry. In this article, we’ll look at which ISO standards are relevant for packaging companies, and what the benefits are of holding ISO accreditations.

Which ISO Standards Are Important in the Packaging Industry?

There are several over-arching ISO standards which are important in the packaging industry, as well as specific standards related to packaging within particular industries where regulations are more stringent.

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is an important quality management standard for many businesses. For packaging manufacturers, it gives a clear signal to customers that you are able to make ISO-quality packaging. It means that your company runs a fully integrated quality management system, and your management team can use the ISO 9001 standard’s eight quality management principles to drive optimal performance across your business.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 demonstrates a company’s commitment to the environment. Environmental impact is a key concern for many packaging companies, and the ISO 14001 accreditation supports environmental best practice. It means that companies are actively looking for ways to reduce waste through efficient working processes, designing packaging with minimal material usage, and using recycled and recyclable materials where possible.

Packaging Industry-Specific ISO Standards

There are also more specific ISO standards relating to packaging within particular industries. For example:

The ISO 15378 standard relates to primary packaging materials specifically for medicinal products. This standard provides particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001 with reference to good manufacturing practice (GMP). It helps medicinal packaging companies to reduce the risk of safety hazards and product contamination, and ensure product effectiveness and longevity.

ISO 13127 is relevant to companies who manufacture child-resistant packaging. It includes mechanical test methods for reclosable packaging systems.

ISO 13274 relates to transport packaging for dangerous goods. For example, it includes plastics compatibility testing for packaging and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
 

General Benefits of Holding ISO Accreditations

Holding ISO accreditations has general benefits for all companies, regardless of industry. These accreditations provide customers with the confidence that the products they are purchasing and using are safe, reliable, compliant, and good quality. ISO standards can also help to reduce costs in your business by increasing efficiency, open access to new markets with international recognition, and improve environmental performance by reducing your ecological footprint.
 

Benefits to Packaging Companies of Holding ISO Accreditations

Quality is an important requirement for many packaging companies, and ISO accreditations support quality objectives. Adhering to ISO standards can:

• Be the difference between your products arriving safely or getting damaged
• Generate more sales
• Positively affect the reputation and success of your packaging company
• Help you exceed customer expectations
• Reduce costs through lean and efficient production management
• Provide a fully optimized solution to a packaging design brief
• Help you meet packaging regulations and legislation
• Solve problems in your workflows and boost productivity
• Bring an independent perspective to production

For more information on ISO standards, visit the International Organization for Standardization at iso.org.