Friday, 22 April 2011

Standardizing RPC Labels For Reusable Plastic Containers

By Elisabeth Herring


RPC labels refers to descriptive labeling on reusable plastic containers. As more and more products are being packaged in RPCs, the labeling is becoming more important. Efforts to standardize the information and its location is underway to make them more efficient and to ensure they meet regulations concerning product information.

The Reusable Pallet & Container Consortium, also referred to as the RPCC, has been tasked with spearheading the creation of a simple, effective and affordable method of labeling products. In the past, labels have fallen out, curled, and become unreadable from water damage. Another issue was the information required to be on the product was in different locations for each grower, so it was difficult to find.

The RPCC has made a label template available that will help in creating a uniform template that meets all requirements for information. Ensuring the required information is available to growers, retailers and customers is very important for many reasons. This attempt by the RPCC to standardize the placement of information is a good step in the right direction.

Glossy, letter-sized sheets of of paper should be used. This is an affordable method of printing them that does not require ordering special sizes of paper. The glossy paper does not absorb water as fast, so they are less likely to curl or fall off. The completed labels are 8.5 inches long and 2.2 inches wide; the template will print five labels per sheet.

Other requirements are that organically grown products are printed on green paper, and conventionally grown products are on white paper. There are guidelines available to confirm that your products fit into one of these categories. Check with the RPCC for more information.

To ensure conformity and affordability, the product name, the count or weight of the product, the state and country of origin, the grade of the product and the company name and address should be included. This is generic information that every grower would want to include on the product.

The lot number is included in case or recalls as well as the pack or ship date. The design includes the PIN, or product identification number is included so grocery stores can easily price merchandise. The PIN corresponds to a price in a database used by point of sale systems. Also called POS systems. It facilitates price changing without having to handle products.

The RPCC has has come up with some very logical steps to ensure that growers, retailers and customers get the information they need. RPC labels are a very good idea and can help everyone involved in growing, packing, selling and buying products. Contact the RPCC for more information and to find out how to get the template.

RPC Labels




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