Issues that face the flexible packaging industry are more complex and wider in scope than ever before. A key to address the wide-ranging legislation and regulations that affect the industry is to collaborate with other industry groups that share the same issues. “When we can find common interests and work together, we can multiply FPA’s impact,” says association President and CEO Marla Donahue.

Some of FPA’s industry partnerships include:

• The American Chemistry Council (ACC). FPA and ACC are working together on recovery solutions for flexible packaging. Another joint focus is legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
• AMERIPEN. FPA is on AMERIPEN’s Technical Advisory Group. AMERIPEN focuses on environmental issues and advocacy for all packaging and includes other associations, packaging suppliers and package users.
• Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). The focus is on food safety issues. One element: Have Congress fund FDA’s work in approving food contact substances without user fees. Another issue is implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC). FPA and SPC are collaborating on resource recovery of flexible packaging.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). FPA supports NAM’s efforts in Congress to reduce the potential economic impact of the 2015 Ground Level Ozone standard. Additionally, FPA is part of the NAM OSHA Committee.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Advocacy Group. FPA participates in the SBA Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel to contribute to the development of Process Safety Management regulations and enforcement.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI). FPA is a contributory member of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group; it is responsible for developing the U.S. position on Global Health and Safety Standard, ISO 45001.