Packaging materials technologies

Glass
The Packaging materials module was prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. It gives an overview of the world market and international trade in glass; provides detailed descriptions of its characteristics and properties; deals with glass applications in packaging and their forms; reviews design considerations, environmental aspects, re-use, recycling and disposal of glass packaging material; appendices include ISO standards relevant to glass materials and packages, contact details of some European national accreditation bodies for quality assessment; a list of sector-related trade fairs and information sources, and a glossary of technical terms.

Metal
Packaging materials module prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - gives an overview of the world market and international trade in metals with particular reference to tin and aluminium; outlines the nature and characteristics of metal packaging products, their applications in packaging and their forms; reviews design considerations, ecological impact, re-use, recycling and disposal of metal packaging material; deals with standard tests for quality assessment; appendices include a checklist for ordering metals for making cans, a list of sector-related trade fairs and journals, and useful addresses and bibliographical references.

Paper & Board
Packaging materials profile of paper and board, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, an integrated export packaging information kit, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries – reviews the consumption, production and international trade of paper and board used for packaging; provides detailed descriptions and characteristics of paper and board; gives information on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures, European legislation on food packaging, packaging procurement, ecological and ISO standards, related environmental issues; describes applications and forms of packaging; discusses paper and board packaging reduction, recycling and disposal issues; recommendations on packaging design; recommended reading list, trade press and trade fairs, glossary of technical terms.

Plastics
Packaging materials profile prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, an integrated export packaging information resource, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries – gives an overview of world market and international trade of plastics; provides detailed descriptions and characteristics of plastics, discusses their environmental impact and gives eco-profiles of plastics packaging materials; describes plastics applications in packaging and their forms; reviews design considerations, quality control, ISO standards relevant to testing plastics materials and packages, environmental aspects, re-use, recycling and disposal of plastics packaging material. Appendices include SPI codes, EU directives on plastics, relevant ISO standards list, contact details of some European national accreditation bodies for quality assessment, lists of recommended readings, trade press and trade fairs, and a glossary of technical terms.

Wood
Packaging material module prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries – gives an overview of world market and international trade in wood; provides detailed description of material’s characteristics and properties; deals with wood applications in packaging and their forms; reviews design considerations; covers quality-related environmental issues and requirements, including re-use, recycling and disposal of wood packaging material; outlines ISO and CEN standards for testing wood packaging; appendices include a list of sector-related trade fairs, useful addresses and websites, bibliographical references and a glossary of technical terms.

Products sector export packaging requirements

Casting & Forgings
Product module of castings and forgings (metal components used for assembly of sub-assemblies and finshed products in the engineering industry), prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - outlines characteristics of castings and forgings, their distribution channels, types of packaging used and relevant packaging materials and alternatives, as well as export quality requirements and standards; reviews world supply, demand and international trade with statistical data and CN code; includes addresses of useful websites, a list of sector-related trade fairs and exhibitions, and a bibliography (p. 57-60).

Chemicals
Product module prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - outlines regulations for packaging, handling and transport of chemicals and dangerous goods and how they work; defines nature of dangerous goods and reviews their characteristics; gives an overview of world supply, demand and international trade for selected chemicals; focuses on rules for the transport of hazardous substances and criteria for the choice of particular packaging; explores relevant regulations of selected importing countries; includes extracts of air and sea regulations from International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Maitime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG); appendices include bibliographical references, a list of useful addresses and Websites, sector related trade fairs and journals and a glossary of techinical terms.

Cut Flowers
Product profile of cut flowers, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, an integrated export packaging information kit, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides characteristics of cut flowers, their distribution chains, handling, storage and presentation; reviews export quality requirements and standards for EU and USA; gives an overview of international trade and selected markets, distribution channels, marketing strategies; gives detailed description of types and standards of packaging for export; highlights regulations of selected importing countries, environmental issues, impact of Eco-labelling, international and regional agreements. Appendices include EU marketing standards for cut flowers, design of the packing house and cold stores, recommended reading list, useful Internet addresses, lists of trade press and trade fairs and a glossary of technical terms.

Furniture
Product profile on wooden furniture and furniture made of similar natural raw materials (bamboo, rattan, etc.) prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - covers product characteristics, distribution channels, export quality requirements and standards; reviews world supply, demand, and international trade; outlines types and standards of packaging used for export of various products within the sector; highlights import regulations with regard to packaging and labeling, in Europe, USA, Japan, and Canada; includes a list of relevant bibliographical references and Web resources; appendices include an example of a furniture distribution mode, lists of ISO, European, American, Japanese and German furniture standards.

Handicrafts
Product module prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - defines nature of handicrafts materials and basic characteristics of artisanal product categories; reviews distribtion patterns, handling, storage and presentation of artisanal products; outlines quality requirements and standards relevant to various artisanal product categotries in the European Union and United States; gives an overview of world supply, demand and international trade; detailed description of type of packaging materials and standards required for various product categories; explores trade related environmental issues, impact of eco-labelling and technical regulations related to health and safety aspects; outlines regulations of selected importing countries related to handicrafts; appendices include lists of sector-related trade fairs and journals; useful addresses and Websites and bibliographical references.

Hides & Skins
Product profile prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, an integrated export packaging information kit, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides characteristics of hides and skins, and semi-processed leather, their distribution channels, export quality requirements and standards; reviews world supply, demand and international trade with statistical data and International Tariff Classification (CN code); gives addresses of websites, provides detailed description of types and standards of packaging for export; offers recommendations for preventing deterioration in quality of hides and skins; explores trade related environmental issues, impact of Eco-labelling, technical regulations related to health and safety aspects, international and/or regional agreements. Annexes include recommended reading list, useful Internet addresses, lists of product related organizations worldwide, trade press and trade fairs and a glossary of technical terms.

Natural Products
Product module of Natural Ingredients for Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics applications derived from medicinal plants/herbs, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries – outlines characteristics of medicinal plants and their added value products such as essential oils, their distribution channels, packaging conditions, types of packaging used and relevant packaging materials and alternatives, as well as export quality requirements and standards; reviews world supply, demand and international trade with statistical data and nomenclature; includes addresses of useful websites, a list of sector-related trade fairs and periodicals, and a bibliography).

Oilseeds
Product profile on oilseeds, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, providing information on various issues related to, and influencing directly, the packaging of oilseeds (ground nuts, soy beans, cotton seed, sunflower seed, sesame seed, copra, linseed, shea nuts) outlines the international market situation for these products; provides a synthesis of types and standards of oilseed packaging for export; reviews packaging regulations of major importing markets; appendices provide supplementary technical information, bibliographical references, and a list of selected useful addresses and Internet sites.

Processed Food
Product module, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at SMEs in developing countries, providing packaging-related information with regard to processed food - describes characteristics of processed food products and their main packaging-related features; reviews various food preservation techniques applicable to processed food; discusses selection of appropriate packaging, types of packaging, relevant packaging materials and alternatives, packaging security, standards, environmental impact, and labeling; includes a list of useful websites, and a glossary of food and packaging terms.

Spices & Herbs
Product profile on spices and herbs, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, providing information on various issues related to, and influencing directly, the packaging of spices - defines commercial classification and characteristics of herbs and dried spices; outlines the international market situation; provides a synthesis of types and standards of spice packaging for export; reviews packaging regulations of major importing markets; appendices provide supplementary technical information, including sample contract specifications for various spices, and a list of ISO standards for packaging and distribution of goods.

Dried Fruits & Vegetables
Product profile of dried fruit and vegetables, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, an integrated export packaging kit, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides characteristics of dried fruit and dehydrated vegetables; reviews export quality requirements and standards for EU; gives overview of world supply, demand, international trade, marketing strategies; gives detailed description of types and standards of packaging for export; discusses recommended approaches for avoiding typical problems; highlights trade-related environmental measures, technical regulations related to aspects of health and safety; reviews impact of Eco-labelling. Appendices include trade statistics, recommended reading list, useful Internet addresses, lists of trade press and trade fairs and a glossary of technical terms.

Fish & Seafood
Export product module, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, providing information on various issues related to, and influencing directly, the packaging of fresh, frozen and canned fish - defines commercial classification and characteristics; outlines the international market situation; provides a synthesis of types and standards of packaging for export; reviews packaging regulations of major importing markets; appendices provide international standards for fishery products; list of sector-related trade associations, useful addresses, and Internet sites; a bibliography and a glossary of related terms.

Food
Product profile on food products, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries – provides an overview of food products, including a description of their characteristics and the main packaging-related features of the world market and distribution channels; discusses the export packaging issues, e.g. selection of appropriate packaging, types of packaging used, relevant packaging materials and alternatives, packaging security, standards, environmental impact, eco-labelling, and procurement; deals with legislation and regulations related to health, safety and the environment in the context of WTO agreements and importing countries’ (European Union, United States and Japan) requirements.

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Product profile of fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides characteristics of fresh fruit and vegetables, their physical distribution; reviews export quality requirements and standards for EU and USA; gives overview of world supply, demand, and international trade with export statistics; describes types and standards of packaging for export; discusses recommended approaches for avoiding typical problems; highlights regulations of selected importing countries covering trade-related environmental measures and eco-labelling. Appendices include display of the GTZ sponsored flap box designs, checklist for fresh fruit and vegetables package selection and design, recommended reading list, useful Internet addresses, lists of trade press and trade fairs and a glossary of technical terms.

Importing country profile

Canada
Importing country profile of Canada prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides Canada's international trade profile with major imports and exports, describing market characteristics for selected categories of products; outlines packaging-related requirements for products to be imported into Canada, including health, safety and environmental issues and requirements; highlights country's conformity assessment and certification procedures; examines the impact of Canada's import policy on packaging of imported goods from developing countries, with respect to packaging and packaging waste regulations; discusses developing countries' concerns in this regard; includes a list of related bibliographical references, Web resources, and useful addresses.

EU
Importing profile of European Union member countries prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides EU international trade profile with major imports and exports, physical distribution in the EU; deals with environmental and safety issues in the EU with regard to packaging; standards and voluntary schemes in the context of packaging; conformity assessment and certification issues; labelling, coding and marking legislations; eco-labelling schemes and Eco standards; WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), and health and safety regulations; appendices include EU Directives regarding food contact material; Model of declaration of the heavy metal content and a list of relevant Websites.

Germany
Importing country profile of Germany prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides country's international trade profile with major imports and exports, physical distribution and market overview for a selected number of products; outlines trade related environmental issues such as environmental legislation, Eco-labelling schemes and Eco standards, WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), health and safety regulations; describes how the EU rules to packaging are implemented in Germany; highlights conformity assessment and certification issues; discusses impact of packaging rules and regulations on developing countries; appendices include bibliographical references, useful Internet addresses and a glossary of technical terms.

The Netherlands
Importing country profile of the Netherlands prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides country's international trade profile with major imports and exports, physical distribution and market overview for a selected number of products; outlines trade related environmental issues such as environmental legislation, Eco-labelling schemes and Eco standards, WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), health and safety regulations; describes how the EU rules to packaging are implemented in the Netherlands; highlights conformity assessment and certification issues; discusses impact of packaging rules and regulations on developing countries; appendices include bibliographical references, useful Internet addresses and a glossary of technical terms.

USA
Importing country profile of the United States of America prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides USA international trade profile with major imports and exports, describing market characteristics for selected categories of products; outlines trade-related health, safety and environmental issues and requirements; highlights US conformity assessment and certification procedures; examines the impact of US import policy on packaging of imported goods from developing countries, with respect to packaging and packaging waste regulations; discusses developing countries' concerns in this regard; includes a list of related bibliographical references, Web resources, and useful addresses.

Cross-cutting

Health, Safety & Environment
Cross-cutting module, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries, providing packaging related information with regard to health, safety and environment - describes packaging technical regulations, standards and specifications, outlining their objectives and applications; reviews legislation and regulations related to health, safety and environment in the context of WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS); looks at various packaging materials specifying their life cycle, and environmental characteristics in terms of packaging disposal, recycling and reuse; covers legal and regulatory aspects; foodstuff packaging issues; selected exporters' food safety guidelines; selected exporters' environmental and general guidelines; appendices include model of a declaration of conformity, sources of information on laws and regulations, and list of ISO 14000 family standards and guides.

Packaging Design
Cross-cutting module on packaging design, prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - covers packaging materials and structural elements that can preserve product quality and guarantee safe delivery to the consumer; communication elements such as images, copy and colour; environmental and health and safety standards that the packaging must meet to attract consumers and avoid barriers to trade in particular markets.

Printing
Product profile prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course, providing information on various issues related to printing and printed materials - covers activities which take place prior to printing; typography and other basic relevant concepts; printing principles; major types of printing processes; various method of printing and inking systems and their advantages; inks and varnishes; factors affecting the choice of a printing process; provides list of sector-related Web sources; includes conversion table between the SI-System and the Imperial System, and a glossary of related terms.

Transport & Distribution
Cross-cutting module prepared as part of the CRT packaging training course aimed at small and medium enterprises in developing countries - provides definitions relevant to the area of export packaging logistics and export distribution chains; reviews transport package design aspects; examines issues with influence on the design of effective transport packaging; looks at various modes of transport for export and evaluates typical hazards for each; covers warehouse management, as well as disposal and recycling issues; deals with transport package construction and styles; gives hints on ways to improve transport and distribution packaging systems.