Navigating Child-Resistant Package

Testing During COVID-19

March 2020 came in like a lion and hit us all like an F5 tornado. No one could have imagined the toll that a global pandemic would take on everyone; it turned lives upside down.

After the first few weeks of shock, we all realized this was not going to end any time soon, and together we had to figure out a way to move forward with life and business – especially an essential business like ours. 

During this time, accidental child poisonings were beginning to rise due to children being at home because of daycare closures. Product launches on critical items were in the pipeline and needed child-resistant (CR) package testing to meet proper compliance to ship. Some of these were vital pharmaceutical medications, household chemicals, etc., that are essential and possibly lifesaving. Child-resistant packaging is required per the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970 to help prevent accidental child poisonings. PPPA is one of the government's most successful programs to protect our children. These packages must be tested to show the package is child-resistant and adult-friendly (easy to open and close properly) before making them available in the marketplace.

For those that do not know, Child-Resistant/Adult Friendly package testing is a human-to-human test requiring our team to watch the testing process and document the time it takes to open the package. There is no way to do this virtually. Generally, children 42-51 months of age participate in testing while in daycares and preschools. Adults 50-70 years of age test packages at places like churches, social events, fundraisers, and retail outlets. Because of this way of testing - SHUT DOWN is not something you want to hear in the CR world.

Unusual times call for unusual measures. With the shutdown in place, Bird Dog Marketing Group and other accredited testing agencies across the nation worked together to successfully get an Emergency Stay Of Enforcement of the PPPA from the CPSC until December 25, 2020. We then received an extension until June 25, 2021. COVID will depend on whether this gets extended again. 

What does the Stay Of Enforcement mean? The PPPA has precise guidelines regarding the number of testing locations/proctors for each test which was difficult to meet during this challenging time. Alternatives were suggested that ensured packages were being appropriately tested but with some flexibility regarding location guidelines. Our goal was to reduce the number of interactions between the proctor, the children, and the adults testing while still meeting the spirit and heart of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). Adult/Child tester safety due to COVID-19 concerns and the on-going priority of saving children from accidental poisoning through certified package testing was always our guide.

Due to the Stay of Enforcement, we now had options for alternate testing methods to help reduce possible COVID exposures. The CPSC allowed us to temporarily use single sites and use international standards like ISO 8317, EN 14375, and CSA Z76.1. 

Fortunately, today we know a lot more about COVID-19 and how to help prevent the spread. Although we still have a long way to go to get through the pandemic, there are creative ways to move forward safely while still meeting the requirements to prove both child resistance and senior friendliness to help launch or requalify products. Safety has always been our guiding light, but now more than ever, for both the proctors and those participating in the testing. We have stocked up on face masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers, and sanitizing cleaning solutions. PPE, social distance, and proper cleaning have become essential tools for testing.

We moved forward slowly and safely. Adult testing surprised us. The people that were the ones we wanted to protect the most for being vulnerable were ready to get out and live their lives. They were more than happy to test packages, especially to help save children's lives.

That was great, but we still needed access to children to complete the package testing process. This aspect has been the biggest challenge across the globe. Remember, this is human to human testing, and these are our children, our future. Many parents were still nervous, and rightfully so, but the increase in child poisonings could not be ignored. We had to resume testing. With the support and recommendations of state and local government, the CPSC, and CDC, we began to move forward. Everything we do follows CDC guidelines for the safety of all.  Luckily, ingenuity is the mother of invention, and we have found creative ways to test children again.

What you should do in the current world of COVID if you need CR package testing:

CALL US at 717-615-9022 or 717-475-9751. We are here to answer questions and help you through the process. With our 50+ years of experience in CR package testing, we can work with you to meet your package testing goals. We are also offering a personal Child-Resistant and Senior-Adult Friendly Package Testing Webinar for your company to review the entire process virtually. 

Remember, planning and communication are more important than ever before as we are now in a new global pandemic world. We still do not know when this virus is going to end, so you need to be prepared and make sure your project has plenty of time for testing. Timelines are fluid, so be ready with samples, package specifications, placebos, and updated purchase orders.

Child Resistant Package Testing is not going away. In fact, it is now more important than ever. Let us all hope COVID restrictions end sooner rather than later. As with any challenge we face - We will get through this TOGETHER.