Every year, thousands of children are rushed to emergency rooms after accidentally ingesting household products or medications that were not properly secured. The incidents are tragic—and often preventable. That is why the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) exists.

Enacted in 1970, the PPPA requires that many everyday substances—such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cleaning products, and certain chemicals—be packaged in child-resistant containers. These are designed to be difficult for young children to open, but accessible for adults.

Why the PPPA Matters

Before the PPPA, accidental poisonings were one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old in the United States. Since its implementation, the law has saved countless lives by dramatically reducing incidents of accidental ingestion.

It is not just about compliance; it is about responsibility. Child-resistant packaging creates a crucial barrier between children's natural curiosity and potentially lethal substances. Even one oversight—one improperly packaged product—can have devastating consequences for a family.

It is Not a Recommendation. It is Law!

The PPPA is federal law enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Manufacturers, packagers, and distributors must comply with their requirements. Noncompliance can result in serious legal and financial penalties—not to mention the ethical cost of endangering public safety.

Every organization involved in the manufacture or distribution of regulated products should treat PPPA compliance as non-negotiable. This includes ensuring that:

• All applicable products use approved child-resistant packaging.
• Packaging designs are tested and certified.
• Staff are trained in PPPA requirements.
• Documentation is maintained for audits or inspections.
• An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for your CR testing requirements are strongly recommended.

Protecting Children Is Everyone's Duty

Child safety should never be taken lightly. The PPPA stands as one of the most impactful public health laws in U.S. history, and it remains just as vital today as it was over fifty years ago.

Whether you work in package manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare, agriculture, chemical, cannabis, retail or any industry that uses special packaging—your role in preventing accidental poisonings matters. Compliance is not optional. It is the law, and more importantly, it is a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.

If you have any questions regarding child-resistant packaging and how to meet child-resistant package regulations - call Bird Dog Marketing Group LLC at 717-615-9022 or email sales@birddogmarketinggroup.com.

Bird Dog Marketing Group is an international industry leader in Child Resistant (CR) and Senior Adult Use Effectiveness (SAUE) protocol testing. For over 55 years, we have been providing comprehensive research and testing services and have a record of success in safety and child-resistant package testing. We have tested and evaluated thousands of different package types, including unit dose packages, pouches, bottles, and containers with a variety of closures, aerosol cans, pump dispensers and more.

Our team provides an assurance of accuracy and hyper-focused attention to detail for all package testing.