Packaging Guide ECR Sweden

The "FMCG Packaging Guide" from ECR Sweden is a comprehensive resource designed to help companies in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector optimise their packaging for both efficiency and sustainability throughout the entire supply chain. It provides practical guidance to ensure packaging not only protects products but also enhances brand visibility, improves logistical processes and meets evolving consumer and environmental demands.

Highlights of the Guide

Holistic Approach: It emphasises the importance of viewing packaging as an important component of the entire product lifecycle. From production to the consumer, it encourages companies to design packaging that minimises waste, reduces costs and improves operational efficiency.

Main Objectives of Packaging:
- Protection and Preservation: Packaging must shield products from damage and contamination, ensuring they reach consumers in optimal condition.
- Brand and Information Carrier: Packaging plays an important role in communicating brand identity and providing essential product details to consumers. This includes clear labelling in line with GS1 standards.
- Logistical Efficiency: By following a modular system, the guide helps businesses streamline packaging design to optimise transport and storage, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Durability and Handling: The guide includes detailed instructions on how to design packaging that withstands both manual and automated handling in warehouses. Special attention is given to outer packaging and pallets, ensuring they are robust and easy to manage throughout the supply chain.
Sustainability Focus: A significant portion of the guide is dedicated to recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging. It provides guidelines for improving the recyclability of materials and minimising the environmental footprint, aligning with global sustainability trends.
Shelf-Ready and Display Packaging: To support retail environments, the guide outlines the importance of shelf-ready packaging that is easy to open, identify and display in stores. It also addresses the use of multi-unit packaging and pallets to ensure products are efficiently handled and presented at the retail level.
Barcode and Labelling Standards: The guide highlights the role of proper labelling, ensuring packages and pallets are equipped with barcodes that meet GS1 standards, enabling traceability and operational efficiency across the supply chain.