Archive for the ‘Regulations’ Category

Chinese Specification for H=H China Made Boxes

February 11, 2013

James asks:

I am looking for the Chinese specification for H=H China made boxes and the blowout/breakout spec of the H=H.

Also, is the H=H equivalent to the American spec of Standard 200#(32 ECT) RSC Corrugated Boxes, or to ask it another way – what is the H=H spec equivalent to in American box standards?

I thought it best to reach out to my network on this one. So I contacted Carl Bohm at ICCA. Carl offers this information.

“One of the issues in China is that there are no industry wide specifications. That’s one of the reasons why the China Packaging Federation is joining ICCA so they can learn from the Europeans and Americans about industry specifications.

However, having said that, many global companies who operate in China have their own specs. I am aware of specs for Samsung, Sony, Kodak, and many other appliance makers. I do not have any of their specifications and I don’t have or know of the H=H spec mentioned below.

I might suggest contacting Dave Carlson at the FBA office but, like us, I doubt he would be aware of it.

If you would like I can contact the China Packaging Federation office to inquire what they may know. The response is usually slow, though, and it may take several days to over a week to receive an answer back.”

If any of our readers would like to share additional knowledge on the subject, we’d be more that happy to listen.

-Ralph

Change Score on HAZMAT Certified Partition?

February 11, 2013

Kevin asks:

Can we change the creases on a corrugated insert to a perf profile without having to re-certify the entire corrugated package? The insert fits inside a corrugated RSC and is only there to separate the product. It was part of the original tests and both (RSC and patrician) are HAZMAT certified.

Okay, it doesn’t sound like the patrician is load bearing, so that’s good. It was part of the original test so there should be reference to it on the certification letter from the testing facility. Unless the certification letter specifically states the nature of the original insert, it should not be an issue. Check the paperwork.

Even if it doesn’t state a specific nature you may want to run the question past your test facility just to be safe.

-Ralph

Wrong Cert Stamp on HAZMAT Boxes

February 11, 2013

Tom asks:

I have a question regarding cert stamps. If we produced a doublewall case with a combination of 56-23-56-23-56, specifying it as a 61 ECT, but mistakenly stamped the cases with a 350# Mullen Stamp, would we not be in compliance with NMFTA? What implications would it have if the case carried HAZMAT product?

The board combination with three 56# liners could have an ECT values in the high eighties. It has more than enough Mullen potential to test above 350# test. You would be compliant with NMFTA. However, in the case of HazMat there could be an issue with the plus/minus basis weight requirement for the grade specified in the cert stamp.

-Ralph

Mineral Oil Migration In Paperboard

December 19, 2012

We reported on this to members last year as we continue to vigilantly observe issues that affect our industry and your welfare. Last week we were reminded by an article in Pulp and Paper Week that we need to be ready in North America if agencies here decide to move on this issue. While this chemical migration concern would be more directly focused on our folding carton and rigid box members, there is always the spillover affect into corrugated, especially food grade cartons.

This is not a simple concern and much science must come into play before and legal action would be taken. I have observed that my favorite pizza shop has gone to an inside coating for its take out corrugated boxes. The initial direction of any investigation will likely be the removal of mineral oil from printing inks used in newspapers. Newsprint is a major source of recycled fibre for the clay coated news back used in the folding carton industry.

More as things develop… And as always comments welcome.

–Ralph


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