Avoid Thinking Strictly INSIDE the Box
New Product Durability Testing
The launching of a new product involves a lot of work, time and money. There are several aspects to take into consideration – from the moment of idea inception, to development & design, trial/testing period, the “look and feel” functionality of the product, packaging, and end marketing. “Packaging material is chosen on the basis of its efficacy and other characteristics that enable it to preserve the quality, potency, and safety of the products.”
Companies are very often so intently focused on the development of the product that will go inside the box; they sometimes miss crucial requirements necessary for the packaging that is intended to protect it.
Packaging & Storage
The designing of safe, durable, packaging that will protect products during shipping and transport while at the same time being compliant with FDA or other international health and safety regulations is essential. Devising an appropriate “test plan” for package performance should be top priority with globalization of standards in many market segments, i.e. pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, and cosmetics, to name a few.
Being knowledgeable of the various testing standards that prove the overall integrity and safety of the exterior packaging required within each market segment to get your product to market is important. Just as important, utilizing the right equipment to perform your packaging/stability tests. Memmert climate chambers HPP, HCP, ICH, and CTC/TTC provide a reliable venue for carrying out manufacturers' packaging test qualifications.
Simulating Long-Term Storage, Shelf-Life, & Aging
Will the product fall into a distribution type scenario? Could the product be warehoused for periods of time in which these conditions will need to be simulated? Are there potential climate stresses that would affect the durability and performance of the exterior packaging? Will the product be shipped via containers, parcel, or truck LCL – potentially a combination of all mentioned. Stacking, temperatures, RH – shelf life, real time and accelerated aging.
FDA and other regulatory agencies have strict standards for manufacturers to uphold that indeed their packaging system is resistant to environmental factors. Utilizing a Memmert climate chamber to simulate environmental conditions, distribution and transports scenarios is key to thinking “Outside the box”.