The FDA on BPA (Bisphenal A)

Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been involved in countless studies regarding human health. BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are lightweight, have a high-performance rating and possess attributes of clarity, heat and electrical resistance that make it ideal for many applications.

Polycarbonate plastics are one of many different kinds of plastic with the plastic identification code of 7 (which is the catch-all category). Some common applications include: CDs, DVDs, electronic equipment, automobiles, sports equipment, some reusable food containers, some drink containers and more.

Don't forget the barcode (and everything else)

There are a lot of guidelines, regulations, and even laws that stipulate what you should and shouldn't put on your product label. Let's go through some of the elements of a complete label and what should be included.

Please note, there are different regulations for different kinds of products. You will want to do your research for your particular product and product category to make sure that your product label complies with regulations. The regulations for cosmetic products, for example, are different than for beverages.

What is sustainable packaging and how do I do it?

It's official. Sustainable packaging has matured from fad to trend, according to experts. What is sustainable packaging and how can small, medium and large businesses adapt?

Fortunate for us, there is a coalition of sustainable packaging experts who can help us understand all things sustainable. They are called, you guessed it, The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC).

Sustainable packaging is (1) beneficial, safe and healthy (2) meets market criteria for performance and cost and is (3) made and recycled using renewable energy. There are other criteria, refer to the SPC website for the full definition.