What’s the Importance of Child-Resistant Boxes?

Child-resistant packaging is an essential feature of the cannabis industry. But as you go about your packaging design, you may wonder about the importance of child-resistant boxes. Here’s everything you need to know.

What are Child-Resistant Boxes?

Since cannabis is harmful to children, all manufacturers are required to place products in child-resistant packaging. Simply put, child-resistant boxes are packaging that reduces the risk of accidental consumption in children under 5 years old.

In other words, this packaging type makes it more difficult for children to access the contents. Children lack finely tuned motor skills and dexterity. These deficiencies make it difficult for them to complete multiple movements and varying pressures at once, all of which are features of child-resistant packaging.

History Behind Child-Resistant Boxes

Child-resistant packaging was introduced as a reaction to reports of child poisonings from accidental ingestion. More specifically, in 1970, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) was written to reduce child risk to harmful substances.

Since then, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulated child-resistant packaging. This organization establishes all the standards, rules, and regulations.

While “child-proof” packaging doesn’t exist, child-resistant packaging is real and has saved lives. It’s estimated the rate of death by poisoning in children under 5 has been reduced by 1.4 per million since the PPPA was introduced.

Why Child-Resistant Packaging is Required in the Cannabis Industry

Cannabis manufacturers need to incorporate child-resistant packaging for a few reasons, and these include the following:

Safety

In the cannabis industry, child safety is a top priority. Cannabis packaging can sometimes appeal to children, having colorful patterns or cartoon characters. Ensuring children can’t access the product inside is essential to avoid them mistaking such products for their favorite candy or snack.

Compliance

Within the cannabis industry, child-resistant packaging is a requirement in all states. In other words, by not using child-resistant packaging, you’re breaking the law and can be subjected to heavy fines or even jail time

It’s important to remember that such packaging goes beyond child-resistant packaging. In the cannabis industry, you must also have state-compliant labels (these vary depending on the state you operate from).

Consumer Trust

Since the cannabis industry is so new, gaining consumer trust has been a staple for all businesses. Most do this through various practices, such as third-party lab testing.

However, creating high-quality child-resistant packaging is another way to ensure customers that your products meet industry standards. This may lead to increased sales and further customer loyalty.

Quality Maintenance

While child-resistant packaging helps protect children, it also preserves cannabis. The multiple seals found in such packaging are a great way to prevent exposure to degrading elements, such as oxygen and moisture.

How to Determine if Your Box is Child-Resistant

If you’re not sure whether or not your cannabis packaging is child-resistant, some independent third-party companies can run lab-certified tests. These companies follow CPSC standards for child resistance and ensure whether or not your packaging meets these guidelines.

As mentioned above, consumer trust is an essential element of the cannabis industry. If you can receive a lab certification for your child-resistant boxes, this will only further consumer trust.

These tests will have children between 42 to 51 months of age participate in an attempt to open your packaging. If 85% of the children are unable to open the packaging within five minutes and 80% still can’t even after a demonstration, your packaging is considered to pass.

Can You Customize Child-Resistant Boxes?

Yes! While you need to ensure that your boxes meet child-resistant standards, this isn’t to say you’re not allowed to develop unique packaging. In fact, it’s encouraged you to get creative with your packaging to ensure brand identity and customer satisfaction.

If you’re unsure how to make your brand stand out, Custom 420 can help. Our in-house team of designers is keen on the cannabis industry and which types of products stand out to customers.

Final Word

Not sure where to source child-resistant boxes? Custom 420 offers various options, from child-resistant slide-tin boxes to 1-inch square child-resistant boxes. In other words, we have a box size for any of your needs!

We invite you to reach out through our contact form to get started.

Child-Resistant Boxes FAQs