Validating PPWR-Driven Packaging Changes
Depending on the packaging system and the changes being made, performance considerations may include strength, barrier properties, durability, functionality, integrity and performance during storage and distribution.
Smithers develops targeted testing programmes to evaluate these impacts and compare existing and proposed packaging solutions.
Packaging Performance Testing
Our testing capabilities can support evaluation from individual materials and packaging components through to complete packs and packaged products, including:
- Material characterisation and mechanical performance
- Barrier and permeability testing
- Pack strength, durability and integrity
- Closure, seal and leakage performance
- Environmental conditioning and performance
- Packaging functionality and dispensing performance
- Compression, vibration, shock and drop testing
- Complete pack and distribution performance
Testing can be tailored to the specific packaging change and technical question, helping organisations understand performance differences, identify potential risks and generate evidence to support packaging decisions.
Packaging Minimisation and Lightweighting
PPWR requirements around packaging minimisation are driving organisations to consider reductions in packaging weight and volume while maintaining required functionality and product protection.
Smithers supports lightweighting and specification-reduction projects using targeted testing to evaluate material and pack grades, material substitution, design changes and distribution performance. Testing can help organisations understand performance limits and determine whether proposed reductions remain technically appropriate for the intended application and supply chain.
Evaluating Alternative and Recycled Materials
Introducing recycled content or alternative materials can change packaging properties and behaviour. Smithers can compare existing and proposed materials and packaging formats, evaluate relevant performance characteristics and assess how material changes translate into pack-level performance, with specialist food-contact assessment available where required.
Performance Across the Supply Chain
Where packaging changes may affect storage, handling or transport, Smithers can combine material and pack evaluation with ISTA-certified distribution testing to assess complete packaged-product performance under representative conditions.
Related PPWR Testing Services
- Design for Recycling Assessments
- PPWR Technical Documentation and Evidence Support
- Recycled Content and Evidence of PCR
- Chemical Analysis and Material Characterisation
- Food Contact Packaging Assessment
- Compostable Packaging Assessment
- Reuse and Refillable Packaging Support
Why Smithers?
Smithers combines ISO 17025 accredited laboratory capabilities with expertise across packaging materials, pack performance and ISTA-certified distribution testing. This enables organisations to evaluate packaging changes from material properties through to complete packaged-product performance, understand technical trade-offs and generate robust evidence to support packaging decisions.
Discuss Your Packaging Project
Whether you're reducing material, introducing recycled content, changing packaging formats or redesigning for recyclability, our experts can help develop an appropriate testing programme to evaluate the impact on packaging performance and product protection.
