Terms from the
packaging industry

The Packaging Act (VerpackG), which is based on the European Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste, is referred to. Furthermore, the German standard DIN 55405 Packaging Terminology Terms is used as a basis, which takes into account terms for the entire field of packaging.

Outer packaging

An outer packaging can contain one or more sales packaging and is offered for sale to the end consumer together with these or is used to stock sales shelves or to bundle several sales packaging (§3 Para. 1 S.1 VerpackG). The use of secondary packaging can vary depending on the specific requirements of the product, transportation and storage. It helps to ensure that goods remain safe and protected and facilitates the efficient transportation and handling of products.

Packaging (noun)

According to the Packaging Act, packaging is “products made of any material for the containment, protection, handling, delivery or presentation of goods, which may range from raw materials to processed products, passed on by the manufacturer to the distributor or end consumer […]” (§3 para. 1 VerpackG). Annex 1 of the Packaging Act also specifies additional criteria for packaging and defines exceptions that do not constitute packaging.

The choice of packaging materials and the design depend on the characteristics of the product to be packaged, the transportation requirements, the environmental aspects and the legal regulations. Packaging plays an important role in protecting products throughout their life cycle and meeting the requirements of the supply chain. It helps to ensure product safety, maintain value and increase customer satisfaction. It provides customers with legally required and voluntarily declared information.

In addition, DIN 55405 also includes in its definition the aspect of the diverse functions that packaging should fulfill during its use and defines packaging (noun) as “the totality of all packaging materials, in particular packaging materials and packaging aids, to fulfill a given packaging task” (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.115).

Packaging Aid

Packaging aids, together with packaging materials, are components of packaging and are used when additional functions of packaging, such as sealing, labeling or handling, are to be fulfilled (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.87). When packaging packaged goods, they serve to facilitate the process, ensure product safety or optimize storage. At the same time, they increase customer satisfaction by ensuring that a product arrives in perfect condition and is easy to handle. Packaging aids include, for example, labels, adhesive tape, cushioning material and desiccants.

Packaging container

Packaging materials such as paper, plastic or glass are formed into a suitable packaging form to enclose a packaged good. This form is referred to as packaging container and makes up the largest part of a package (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.87). Packaging containers can consist of different packaging materials and can be developed into different shapes and types, such as:

• Boxes made from the packaging materials cardboard or corrugated cardboard
• Narrow or wide-mouth containers made from the packaging material glass
• Bags, trays or bottles made from the packaging material plastic
• Metal cans or tin containers
• Boxes made of wood

Packaged good / product

Goods of any kind to be packed or packaged are referred to as packaged goods. If it is a liquid packaged good, it is also referred to as a filling good. Packaged goods can be, for example, food, medicines, chemicals, clothing or furniture (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.87).

The requirements of a packaged or filled good can be specific and depend on characteristics such as size, weight and sensitivity. These and other characteristics determine the type of suitable packaging material and necessary packaging aids.

Packaging material

Packaging can consist of one or more materials. The material used is then referred to as the packaging material. Examples of packaging materials are paper, plastic, glass, wood or tinplate (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.88). Annex 5 of the Packaging Act specifies voluntary labeling symbols or numbers to be used for different packaging materials. The selection of the appropriate packaging material depends on various factors, such as the type of product, the storage requirements, the transportation method and the legal regulations. The packaging industry is constantly developing new materials to provide efficient and environmentally friendly packaging materials that to meet the demands of the dynamic market.

Product packaging

According to DIN 55405, a product packaging consists of the packaged goods and a primary packaging (defined as the packaging container coming in direct contact with the product), which in turn is composed of a packaging material and the required packaging aids. The first stage of the packaging process is considered here and the filled product packaging is in direct contact with the packaged goods (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.6). Its function is equivalent to the sales packaging defined in the German Packaging Act.

Sales packaging

For the consumer, sales packaging represents a sales unit between the packaged goods and the packaging. According to the German Packaging Act, this also includes so-called service packaging for the end consumer to facilitate the transfer of goods to the consumer and hipping packaging to enable the shipment of goods to the consumer (Section 3 (1) sentence 1 VerpackG). Sales packaging is designed to attract the customer’s attention, communicate the rand image and present the product in an attractive and sales-promoting way. It therefore plays a decisive role in promoting the product and brand perception. It supports the sales process and can inspire the customer to select and purchase a product.

Secondary packaging

Secondary packaging is used in the second stage of the packaging process and encloses the primary packaging or several product packs. In addition to the primary packaging, it consists of other packaging materials and packaging aids (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.6).Its function is the same as the secondary packaging defined in the German Packaging Act.

Transport pack

Several secondary packs can be combined into a transport pack using additional packaging materials and packaging aids, if necessary as part of a third packaging process (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.6).

Transport packaging

Transport packaging plays a crucial role in the safe and efficient transportation of goods and helps to ensure that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

Transport packaging is typically not intended for the end consumer and should “facilitate the handling and transportation of goods in such a way that direct contact and transport damage are avoided” (§3 Para. 1 S.1 VerpackG). (translation by author)

Transport packaging can take various forms, depending on the characteristics of the products and the requirements of transportation. Examples of transport packaging are corrugated cardboard boxes, transport crates, shipping tubes or drums.

According to DIN 55405:2012, transport packaging is defined as a combination of several secondary packages as part of a third packaging process using suitable packaging materials and, if necessary, packaging aids (DIN 55405:2014-12, 2014, p.6).

Sources

• DIN 55405:2014-12 Packaging – Terminology – Terms and definitions
• Packaging Act (VerpackG) of July 5, 2017 (BGBl. I p. 2234), last amended by Article 2 of the Act of September 22, 2021 (BGBl. I p. 4363)