| Packaging is the enclosing of a physical | | | | |
| object, typically a product that | | | | Information transmission - Information |
| requires protection from tampering. | | | | on how to use, transport, or dispose of |
| Labelling refers to any written or | | | | the product is often contained on the |
| graphic communications on the packaging | | | | package or label. An example is |
| or on a separate but associated label. | | | | pharmaceutical products, where some |
| Packaging and labeling have seven | | | | types of information are required by |
| objectives: | | | | governments. |
| Protection against physical impact on | | | | Marketing - The packaging and labels can |
| object - The objects enclosed in the | | | | be used by marketers to encourage |
| package may require protection from, | | | | potential buyers to purchase the |
| among other things, damage caused by | | | | product. Package design has been an |
| physical force, moisture, oxygen, rain, | | | | important and constantly evolving |
| heat, cold, sunlight, pressure, airborne | | | | phenomenon for dozens of years. |
| contamination, automated handling | | | | Reducing theft - Some packages are made |
| devices, or any combination of one or | | | | larger than they need to be so as to |
| more of these. | | | | make theft more difficult. An example is |
| Protection against dust and dirt - In a | | | | software packages that typically contain |
| modern supply chain products are subject | | | | only a single disc even though they are |
| to different environments. They start | | | | large enough to contain dozens of discs. |
| packed in boxes and stacked on a pallet. | | | | These packages may also be deliberately |
| In about 80% the products end up in a | | | | difficult to open, to hamper thieves |
| distribution center for commissioning | | | | from removing their contents without |
| and fine distribution to the store where | | | | drawing notice. Packages also provide |
| the product will be sold. During this | | | | opportunities to include anti-theft |
| period the physical protection also | | | | devices, such as dye-packs or electronic |
| applies to dust and dirt that can easily | | | | article surveillance tags, that can be |
| settle on the consumer packaging. | | | | activated or detected by devices at exit |
| Especially products packed in plastic | | | | points and require specialized tools to |
| containers like shampoos, detergents and | | | | deactivate. Using packaging in this way |
| ketchups due to static charging easily | | | | is a common tactic for loss prevention. |
| attract dust and dirt. As a consumer we | | | | Prevention of pilferage and tampering - |
| don't want to get dirty hands when | | | | Products are exposed to many contacts in |
| picking up a product from the shelf. | | | | the supply chain. Persons handling could |
| Transportation packaging keeps our | | | | steal products (pilferage), replace full |
| products clean and neat until the shelf | | | | products with empty ones or add unwanted |
| and helps cut cleaning costs on the shop | | | | contaminants to the contents |
| floor. | | | | (tampering). Packaging that cannot be |
| Agglomeration - Small objects are | | | | re-closed or gets physically damaged |
| typically grouped together in one | | | | (shows signs of opening) is very helpful |
| package for reasons of efficiency. For | | | | in the prevention of these acts. The |
| example, a single box of 1000 pencils | | | | flaps of corrugated and cardboard boxes |
| requires less physical handling than | | | | are therefore glued in such a way that |
| 1000 single pencils. Alternatively, bulk | | | | any opening irreversibly damages them. |
| commodities (such as salt) can be | | | | The overpackaging of certain objects has |
| divided into packages that are a more | | | | led to a phenomenon known as wrap rage. |
| suitable size for individual households. | | | | |