The British Retail Consortium (BRC) announced on 17th December 2007 that the Global Standard for Packaging & Packaging Materials now includes non-food packaging. Due to be implemented by 1 July 2008, the standard was developed by the BRC and IOP (Institute of Packaging). The third issue of the document enables manufacturers of all types of packaging and packaging materials to define the nature of their product and identify the applicable risks according to 3 categories: Packaging that comes into direct contact with high-risk products that are consumed, applied to the skin or intended for infants; Packaging that does not com into direct contact with high-risk products; & Packaging for products of low-risk with regards to standards of hygiene but which must clearly meet defined functional requirements. For more information see: www.brc.org.uk/standards/default.asp.
