Standards of Child Resistant Packaging: A Regulatory View

Aim

Special packaging known as “child-resistant packaging” is intended to minimize the possibility of kids eating harmful substances. The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 confers jurisdiction to regulate this on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and amended in 1995 to include senior-friendly packaging which became effective in 1972.

Materials and Methods

For the protection of children, regulations apply to prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, insecticides, home chemicals, and unit packaging, such as blister packets. The elderly and those with disabilities have a challenge with child-resistant packaging. Regulations require package and performance tests to be child-resistant and senior-friendly. Certain standards for special packaging like ISO 8317 Requirements and testing procedures for re-closable packages, EN 862 (2005), EN 14375 (2003), ISO 13127 Mechanical test methods for re-closable child-resistant packaging, ASTM D3475 Standard Classification for Child-Resistant Packages (CRPs). Use of CRP Indices such as Package Type (e.g., Aerosol over cap), ASTM Type (e.g., re-closable packaging-continuous thread closure). CRP Manufacturer, CRP Name, Regulations in countries (Canada, The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom). A few myths concerning packaging for children.

Results and Conclusion

Reckitt Benckiser is requesting the FDA to require not only child-resistant, unit-dosed containers but also to provide educational programs aimed at lowering the likelihood that children would be exposed to the opioid dependency treatment medicine buprenorphine.