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