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Congratulations to Joe and Dave Herbert, winners of the Best Super Bowl Commercial Award www.doritosvote.com/playcommercial.asp .
The Herbert brothers also are the owners of Jeezle Pete’s, makers of the new game, “Triviathon,” which Paragon Packaging proudly is manufacturing.
CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.
Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.
The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.
The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.
Paragon Packaging is already in the process of considering its testing policy and will release details to you as soon as possible. If you have questions or concerns, please call us at 888-615-0065 or email info@paragonpackaging.com.
The American International Toy Fair (New York City, February 15-18) is an event for new game companies as well as established companies to display their product lines and meet with distributors, buyers, consultants, and manufacturers and rub shoulders with other game companies.
Several things are upon us as companies await with enthusiasm the impending annual toy and game showcase. There is a great level of enthusiasm in this industry and Toy Fair is where it all comes out. The game industry typically does fairly well in periods of recession because people are more likely to stay home and play a game than go out to a show , movie, or dinner. So there is promise for game companies and you never know who may be the next “Trivial Pursuit.” It’s a time to exhibit, to lay out the business proposition, and make connections with people who will eventually be critical to your success.
Paragon Packaging recently attended the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco where attendance was impressive. Therefore, at Toy Fair we think there will be signifiicant opportunities. The exhibitor list is extensive and there are good educational opportunities. It’s the best Toy and Game Fair in the world and well worth the experience, even if you only attend as a visitor.
Paragon Packaging attends Toy Fair every year to introduce ourselves to new people to discuss our resources and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, we attend to support our current customers and the industry in general. It’s a good time for exhibitors and show visitors to establish new relationships or cement old ones with business partners whom they’ll need in the near and distant future. We are excited about appointments with companies that seek our expert advice and practical experience in the art of Board Game Production. We are especially respectful of exhibitors’ time, also mandated, since we realize the time and money spent, as well as the opportunity to exhibit, is significant.
Should you wish us to introduce ourselves, set aside time for an appointment, or simply reconnect to re-establish the value of partnering with Paragon Packaging, please call 888-615-0065 or email info@paragonpackaging.com . We will be happy to accomodate you. At Paragon Packaging, we believe the future is bright and inviting, and we will be delighted to share our experience, expertise, and enthusiasm with you.
I thought “Sustain” meant something like “How long can you sustain your speed?” So, my brain wanted to wrap around, when referring to packaging that we meant the life cycle of the package, but if you think about it, that doesn’t make sense. It does if you consider recyclability, however, when you realize one definition of “Sustainability” is: “A strategy by which communities seek economic development approaches that also benefit the local environment and quality of life.” Furthermore, one definition of “Sustainable” is: “Actions and products that meet current needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.”
So, “Sustainable Packaging” is a whole world unto itself, and it’s wonderful that people are starting to pay attention to that world. It’s important to know that buyers and consumers are starting to think about this when making their buying decisions. And, it’s becoming more and more important for companies’ to make this distinction when addressing their product packaging requirements. It calls for more education and comprehension.
For example, there has been a push over the past half dozen years or so to utilize tins in game packaging. But, not only are tins more expensive than rigid paper boxes, tins are virtually indestructable whereas rigid paper boxes are constructed from a material known as chipboard, which is made from recycled paper, not “virgin” material. It’s one aspect we all ought to think about, and at Paragon Packaging we welcome your questions and comments.
Q. What kind of “packaging” does your company do?
A. We do a wide range of packaging work such as: board game manufacturing, game production, game piece manufacturing, gift packaging, multi-component packaging, setup box manufacturing, card deck manufacturing, thermoformed tray manufacturing, retail packaging, product packaging – and that is just touching the highlights. If you don’t see your packaging needs in this short answer, call us for a more detailed explanation.
Q. Do you do seasonal custom packaging?
A. Yes, we do and we have many examples to show you.
Q. Can you make set-up boxes, folding cartons, acetate packages or times?
A. Yes we can do all of those specialty packages and more.
Q. Can you do packaging for both overseas and domestic consumers?
A. We have extensive experience in both areas (including Asian packaging production).
Q. Do I need to go somewhere else for packaging design and then have you make the package?
A. We do both design and production of a wide range of packaging. We pride ourselves on being a “one-stop” packaging design and manufacturing company. However we only design if we are doing the manufacturing.
Q. What do you consider the Paragon Packaging “specialty”?
A. Paragon Packaging has 75 plus years of experience. Many of our designs are award winning and we are proud of the quality of our work. But I would say we specialize in customer service. You can easily contact us and get a quick response. Our staff enjoys sharing their expertise and making recommendations to improve cost and quality of projects.
Q. How do I get started with Paragon Packaging on my project?
A. Fill out our online form to request a quote and we will respond within in 24 hours with a specification form (and perhaps additional information forms). Once we have all the needed specifications it takes three to five business days (depending on complexity of your order) to get a quote back to you. If you need a more details on how to get started, contact us by email: info@paragonpackaging.com or give us a call at 847-615-0065
Q. How long will it take to produce my game after you have all the specifications and information needed?
A. Once we have the final artwork, typically it’s 4 to 6 weeks for a domestic order, if production is to be done in Asia; it is 90 to 120 days.
Q. Does Paragon Packaging do the graphic design work?
A. No, but we have worked with many outstanding graphic designers and can provide a list of some we recommend.
Q. Can you explain “order tolerance” to me?
A. Sure, the printing and packaging industry uses this term to indicate a plus or minus 10% of the number you order. In other words, if you ordered 5,000 games, you can expect to receive 4500 to 5500 games.
Q. Does your company do warehousing and order fulfillment?
A. No, but we maintain a list of recommended companies who can do that for you.
We hope our custom packaging faq page answered your questions about your custom packaging project. For other questions, please fill out our online contact form or give us a call.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was passed into United States Public Law (No: 110-314).
This law passed with overwhelming support from American law makers because over the past few years our nation experienced an unfortunately large number of recalls on products that have been imported to our country. Consumers and legislators were particularly concerned about children’s toy’s that were recalled because of dangerous levels of lead and other toxins or dangerously defective product design or manufacture.
This law requires manufacturers and importers to subject toys and other nursery products to certify that they have passed strict mandatory U.S. safety standards before they hit the store shelves. The certifications must be based on reasonable production testing of parts or finished products.
One senator noted: Much blame has been placed on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, for failing to adequately protect consumers from dangerous products entering the United States. Whether this was being too lax with regard to negligible product safety standards for toys and other items produced abroad, or ineffective and often toothless oversight of the manufacturing and design process wherever the toys were made, there is more than enough blame to spread around. While I certainly recognize the important contributions of the dedicated career employees at the CPSC, it is clear that the CPSC lacks the adequate resources, and political will, to combat this growing problem.
Further legislation was passed that doubles the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s funding to be incrementally increased between 2009 and 2015. More funds will allow closer oversight to the regulations and collections of fines for non-compliance (the fines have been greatly increased).
Public Law 110-314 changes the operating landscape for many manufacturers, retailers and distributors. By this law CPSC regulation will require many changes, the following are just a few of them:
Toy and JP Testing: This requires mandatory third party safety certifications of products made for children 12 and under. Upon CPSC accreditation, private labs could be allowed to test products if they provide equal or greater consumer protection than available third party labs. Authorizes CPSC personnel to inspect any lab certified under the Consumer Product Safety Act and withdraw accreditation if necessary. The JPMA Certification Program is subject to update and is expected to provide a turnkey solution to these new testing and certification requirements. Certain durable infant products: Specifically identifies certain products that will need to contain product registration cards, which are: full-size cribs and non-full-size cribs, toddler beds, high chairs, booster chairs, hook-on chairs, bath seats, gates and other enclosures for confining a child, play yards, stationary activity centers,infant carriers, strollers, walkers,swings, bassinets and cradles.
Lead in Substrates: Bans lead for products manufactured for children age 12 or younger. Specifically, the permissible level of lead in children’s products would be 600 ppm after 180 days, 300 ppm after one year, and 100 ppm after three years following enactment, if feasible. The CPSC is directed to periodically review and lower the limit and also to except inaccessible parts, electronic components and parts that do not pose a human health risk.
Phthalates (plastic softeners): Permanently bans the sale, only of toys and certain under 3 childcare articles containing trace concentrations of three phthalates: DEHP, DBP, or BBP. Temporarily bans products containing trace concentrations of DINP, DIDP, or DnOP unless further study and evaluation prompts the CPSC to lift the ban.
There are many questions about how exactly the law will be interpreted and implemented. Though all the details are not totally ironed out, CPSC has a very informative “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers” about the new law on-line at: http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/faq/faq.html
Paragon Packaging is committed to new Product Safety Testing Policy for 2009: Now that the CPSIA is fully in effect, the additional testing requirements over and above previous ASTM F-963 requirements (i.e. total lead content testing in material substrates, phthalates testing in surface coatings and substrates, etc.) result in a great deal of variability of testing costs based on the design of your products.
In other words, toys and games are subject to huge swings in safety testing costs depending upon the type and number of plastics used, colors, inks, paints, etc. Therefore, effective immediately we are establishing the policy that the cost of product safety testing will be determined on a case by case basis when we issue the complete product proposal to you.
We will always make sure to quote the most cost effective testing regime in accordance with the regulations in effect where you products are sold. Of course, it is imperative for you to always communicate with us prior to the time when the products are submitted to the lab for testing exactly what regulations the product should be tested to. For example if you will be distributing your products in the U.S., the requirement is that the product be compliant with HR-4040. If the product is to be sold in Europe, the standard to be tested against will be EN-71. Finally, in working with you collaboratively in the product development process, we have the experience to suggest ways in which you can save on costs such as product safety testing based on the use of colors in plastics and inks, choice of materials, etc.
We look forward to helping you in producing products as cost effectively as possible!
Source: Compiled By Paragon Packaging
Packaging Digest’s 2nd study on sustainability reveals new trends and ideas
Sustainable packaging seems to be on everyone’s mind!
This is certainly true in the world of packaging as demonstrated by the results of some recent research by Packaging Digest and The Sustainable Packaging Coalition. In their second study to measure awareness and actions in packaging sustainability, they survey over a thousand professionals in the packaging field.*
The most startling finding of the study was the increased awareness of sustainable packaging issues — 67 percent of the respondents said they are moderately or very familiar with the issues and more than 60 percent of the respondents said their companies have sustainability policies in place or that policies are in the process of being formulated.
Another interesting finding of the study was what influenced packaging professionals to become more aware and active in sustainable packaging; it was their customers. In fact, the respondents noted that brand owners and retailers have increased their sustainability demands, with 53 percent saying that more than half of their customers are seeking more eco-friendly packaging.
Also, a clear majority of respondents indicated their sustainability efforts are being tied to the strategies of their business. More than 50 percent say their organizations require a return on investment for their sustainability activities, with most expecting the payback period within one to two years.
The report included this statement: “Volatile prices of raw materials and energy are expected to have the greatest impact on sustainability over the next five years, with 79 percent of respondents saying that they are emphasizing waste reduction and 62 percent focusing on energy conservation.”
However, nearly three-quarters of the companies in the survey tie their sustainability initiatives to other programs already underway, with 39 percent linking sustainability to Lean Manufacturing and 36 percent connecting it to their quality programs.
Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said that sustainable design has had a greater impact on their packaging decisions in 2008.
The study revealed one of the major concerns facing the packaging market is “greenwashing,” (the practice of making sustainability claims that are false or not having data to backup claims). Over three fourths of the respondents indicated sustainability standards are lacking but they are not in full agreement about which organization should set the standards.
Green packaging or sustainable packaging IS on the consumer and producers mind. Paragon Packaging knows how to make your packaging more friendly to the environment and your customers. Give us a call at 888-615-0065. We can help you design attractive and sustainable packaging!
* Respondents were in food, cosmetics, medical devices and supplies, electronics, general retail, office supplies, and other industries. 81% of them were located in North America and nearly half of the respondents had 1000 or more employees. Over half of the respondents were in the marketing, engineering, or corporate offices of the participating companies and most have 11 to 20 years of experience in their field.
Source: Packaging Digest, 11/24/2008
Sustainable Packaging is a high priority at Paragon Packaging. Check back often for more articles of interest about sustainable packaging.
