Child Resistant Packaging for Consumer Products- US vs. Canada

By: Ivy Tang, Product Safety Specialist, email

Child Resistant (CR) packaging is used to reduce the risk of children opening and experiencing exposure to a hazardous product. However, the requirements for CR packaging is very different between Canada and the US. This is very important if you sell your product in both countries!

In Canada, CRC (child resistant containers) are required if a consumer product is classified as Corrosive, Toxic, or Quick Skin-Bonding under CCCR 2001.

Containers holding these hazardous consumer products must be constructed so they meet the requirements of CSA-Z76.1, ISO 8317, 16 CFR 1700.20 or an equivalent standard throughout the useful life of said product. A common example of CR packaging is a closure that requires the user to push down and twist. The product must also contain a written bilingual statement or diagram outlining how the container can be opened or closed. In addition, the documentation outlining the specifications of the CR packaging must be maintained and shown to a Health Canada inspector upon request.

There are exemptions for CRC in CCCR 2001 for aerosols, single-use containers, and single-drop containers.

In the US, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) determines how packaging should be designed to prevent children from accessing hazardous household substances. Unlike CCCR, this ‘special packaging’ is only applicable to specific substances, such as a product containing 10% or more of ethylene glycol or sulfuric acid. This packaging must meet the child test and applicable adult test requirements of 16CFR 1700.20.

Products requiring special packaging under the PPPA will need a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC).

Not sure how your consumer products should be classified under CCCR 2001 or CPSC? Want to know if your container supplier has the correct accreditation to carry out CRC testing? Contact Dell Tech today.

Contact:
Dell Tech Laboratories
Ivy Tang, B.Sc.
Product Safety Specialist
itang@delltech.com
519-858-5021 ext 2043

Dell Tech has provided professional, confidential consulting services to the chemical specialty

industry in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Asia for the last 40 years.

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