Products move through supply chains every day, but how do you ensure that what reaches the customer isn’t damaged or contaminated? Tamper-evident packaging provides a security seal, making any attempt to interfere with your products visible. As a result, your customers have peace of mind.
Why is tamper-evident packaging important?
Customer confidence in the safety of your products is vital for business. A tamper-proof security seal gives visual evidence that your product has arrived intact, thereby significantly boosting your brand reputation.
In industries such as food and pharmaceuticals, tamper-evident packaging may be mandatory for regulatory compliance.
Best practice in tamper-evident packaging
Establishing best practices depends on understanding the potential risks to your products as they move through the supply chain. Risk assessments are critical to identify weak points where tampering and contamination could occur.
Use a visible security seal
Highly visible tamper-evident packaging, such as a security seal from Acme Seals, should be hard to replicate and prominently displayed. These closures break easily if tampered with, giving a visual clue that a product may be contaminated.
Select appropriate packaging
Not all products require the same packaging solutions, which should be tailored to the characteristics of your supply chain and product; for example, combining a security seal with blister packaging or shrink wrapping can create a robust defence against tampering and improve your product’s security.
Leveraging unique identifiers
Barcodes, RFID tags and unique serial numbers allow your products to be tracked throughout the supply chain. Holographic labels and QR codes are additional ways to verify the authenticity of your products and detect tampering.
Training and inspections
Train your staff in the importance of tamper-evident packaging and how to spot signs of contamination and damage. Perform regular checks across the supply chain and implement rigorous protocols for reporting any issues.
Collaborate with suppliers
Foster collaboration with partners across your supply chain to establish standardised protocols. Vet your suppliers carefully and work together to improve security at every level. This process should be part of a continuous improvement in your tamper-evident packaging techniques, establishing and maintaining transparency with clients and minimising risks.