Packaging for Baby and Infant Products: Safety Standards and Material Requirements

Baby product packaging is subject to the strictest safety standards in consumer goods. Regulatory non-compliance can result in mandatory recalls, retailer delisting and reputational damage. BestPackFactory works with baby product brands to ensure packaging meets all applicable standards.

CPSC and US Safety Standards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates children's products under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Key requirements:

• Third-party testing by a CPSC-accepted laboratory for children's products (under 12 years)
• Children's Product Certificate (CPC) required before sale in the US
• Lead content: max 100 ppm in substrate; max 90 ppm in surface coating
• Phthalate restrictions: specific phthalates banned in children's toys and childcare articles

EU Requirements

EN 71 (Toys Safety Standard) and REACH Regulation apply. SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) must be disclosed when present above 0.1% by weight. Packaging must bear CE marking for certain product categories.

Material Selection

• Inks: use low-migration UV inks or water-based inks; avoid solvent-based inks that may off-gas
• Adhesives: hot-melt adhesives should be food-grade or toy-grade certified
• Coatings: water-based varnishes preferred over UV for primary contact packaging
• Board: SBS or CUK board from FSC-certified sources; specify no optical brighteners if required

Packaging Design for Safety

No small parts that detach (choking hazard). No sharp edges on die-cuts. Suffocation warning required on plastic bags over 5" (13 cm) in any dimension. Drawstring bags must comply with ASTM F1816.

Testing Documentation

BestPackFactory can provide: material composition certificates, ink migration test reports, heavy metals test reports and REACH SVHC declarations. Request our documentation package when submitting a brief.