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CPSC Extends PPPA Enforcement Discretion Regarding Child-Resistant/Senior-Friendly Package Testing
Beth Mack • April 26, 2021
On June 25, 2020, the CPSC communicated an allowance for temporary use of alternative testing to demonstrate regulatory compliance of packages subject to the testing requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) and its implementing regulations under 16 CFR part 1700 due to the challenges of performing testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 22, 2021, the CPSC has granted an extension of this allowance through December, 2021 due to the continued challenges regarding package testing.
You can read the complete letter from the CPSC below or find a copy
here.
Although it's been a challenge at times, all of our regional teams are completing child-resistant and senior-friendly testing. We look forward to speaking with you about your next packaging project to ensure children are safe from accidental poisoning.
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), enacted in 1970, is one of the cornerstones of child safety regulations in the United States. Its primary goal is to prevent children from accessing hazardous household substances like medications, household chemicals, and other toxic products. As part of this initiative, the law requires certain products to be packaged in child-resistant containers. The question is: how did the government determine the specific age ranges of children who should be tested for these packaging requirements?
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act: A Milestone in Child Safety
Dispelling the Myth: Why There is No Such Thing as Child-Proof Packaging. In the realm of product safety, particularly concerning items like medications, household cleaners, and chemicals, the term "child-proof packaging" is commonly used. However, despite its widespread usage, the concept of truly child-proof packaging is a misnomer. We will delve into why there's no such thing as completely child-proof packaging and what measures can be taken to enhance child safety.
Every year, thousands of children under the age of five face serious health risks due to unintentional poisonings. This article will review the statistics, explain how child-resistant packaging works, and detail how parents can help keep their children safe from accidental poisoning.
Our test proctors administering adult-use package testing are often asked, “Why are you only testing adults 50-70 years of age?” Here’s the story behind that decision. When the U.S. Congress passed the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (PPPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) required child-resistant packaging for specific drugs and household chemicals that could harm children. Package manufacturers developed and introduced new child-resistant packaging to comply with the requirements. Per the PPPA, the specialty packaging required certification that they were child-resistant. At the time, the adult-use effectiveness portion of the package test protocols included adult test subjects 18-45 years of age, a significant change from our current adult-use effectiveness subjects who are 50-70.
As the world leader in child-resistant and senior-friendly package testing, Bird Dog Marketing Group considers ISO 17025 accreditation an essential requirement for all testing laboratories, and this is why we choose to be audited for accreditation annually. Our global customers have the assurance that they can trust the results we provide to them on every test.
BDMG is proud to celebrate 55 years of child-resistant package testing, continuing Gene Miller's legacy of saving children's lives from accidental poisoning. Many things have changed since the passage of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, but the dedication of our team and our clients to working together in the testing of child-resistant packaging has remained the same.
Here is a great resource for tips on protecting your children and grandchildren from accidental poisoning, choking, burns, and other household hazards. It's a reminder of how quickly a child's ability to access potentially harmful situations changes and the need to always be one step ahead! #childsafety #childsafetyandprotectionmonth https://www.safekids.org/safetytips
Today we are celebrating our Regional Manager, Julie Burke. Thank you for the important work you are doing to save children from accidental poisoning...you are making a difference.
This is an ongoing listing of CPSC Product Recall Information.
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