Electronics Packaging Regulations

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations is the UK law that applies to all packaging, including electronics packaging, states that:

• Packaging must be minimised, recyclable, and free from heavy metals.
• Encourages eco-friendly design principles in all packaging.
• Applies to both retail and transit packaging.

Our design approach at GWP is to always minimise material use and aid recyclability for end users. We place significant emphasis on eco-friendly design, as evidenced by our Starpack Awards (including the Green Star award in 2018). This is in addition to a wide range of sustainability initiatives throughout our business.

We do not use any heavy metals or other dangerous chemicals/materials in the packaging we manufacture.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations are the standard that governs the disposal and labelling of electronic equipment, and states that:

• Retail packaging must clearly display the WEEE crossed-bin symbol.
• Packaging must support safe return, separation, or collection of electronics at end-of-life.

GWP Group can design and manufacture packaging that supports the safe return, separation and/or collection of electronics at the end of their life. We can also add the WEEE crossed bin logo to any printed packaging where this is applicable. Please note the inclusion of legally required logos and symbols is the responsibility of our customers, and not GWP Group.

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is the standard that ensures that electronics packaging does not render a product unsafe, and states that:

• Poorly designed packaging (e.g., sharp inserts, electrical exposure risks, crushing hazards) can violate this act.
• Packaging must prevent damage during transit that could result in electrical fire hazards.

GWP Group has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing packaging that provides optimal protection for products during transit. We can also supply packaging samples for pre-production testing where required.

The General Product Safety Regulations is the standard that applies to non-hazardous electronics (e.g., toys, chargers, home goods, etc.)

Packaging must include:

• Manufacturer/importer name and address.
• Safety warnings.
• Instructions (if required).

GWP Group can, on request, print any legally required information onto the packaging we supply. Please note that it is our customers responsibility to provide print-ready artwork containing the required information. GWP are unable to take responsibility for any information printed on packaging where this information was supplied to us by our customers. We are also unable to provide legal advice on the particular requirements for specific industries.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is legislation that requires producers to report and pay for packaging waste based on the type and volume they use.

For example, electronics exporters must track material use, recyclability, and labelling (e.g., “widely recycled” icons). This legislation applies to products and shipping packaging.

GWP Group can help our customers comply with their legal responsibilities under EPR legislation by supplying detailed product and usage statistics. Please note that we are not able to submit EPR figures/returns directly for our customers; doing so remains their responsibility. GWP can, on request, print any applicable logos or legal information on our customers’ packaging, providing this information is supplied to us in print-ready artwork files before manufacture. GWP cannot take responsibility for any omission or inclusion of incorrect information on our customers’ packaging.

The UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (UN 38.3) is the standard applies if electronics contain lithium batteries:

• You must ensure batteries are tested and packaged properly (e.g., anti-short circuit protection, shock absorption).
• Product or shipping packaging must be designed to comply with UN 3480/3481 standards.

GWP Group supplies a limited range of packaging that complies with UN3480. As part of the wider Macfarlane Group, we may be able to assist with the supply of packaging that is suitable for consumer goods that contains that lithium batteries, subject to gaining a full understanding of the specific project brief and requirements.

IEC 61340-5-3 – Electrostatics is the international standard for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) packaging.

Your packaging must:

• Use ESD shielding or dissipative materials (e.g., pink poly bags, conductive foams).
• Be marked with ESD labels.
• Avoid generating static inside packaging.

This is especially important for circuit boards, semiconductors, processors, etc.

GWP Group, through our GWP Conductive division, are the UK leaders is designing and manufacturing ESD safe packaging. This includes a range of standard packaging products that utilise Corstat conductive coating. We can also supply a range of different ESD-safe foam materials.

The IEC 60286 series of standards covers packaging design for resistors, capacitors, chips, and small electronics. It defines tape, reel, tray, and bulk packaging formats for automation compatibility and applies to components suppliers, especially in Asia and Europe.

GWP Group, through our GWP Conductive division, are the UK leaders is designing and manufacturing ESD safe packaging. This includes a range of standard packaging products that utilise Corstat conductive coating. We can also supply a range of different ESD-safe foam materials.

ASTM D4169 is a common testing protocol for evaluating transit packaging and is used to test packaging for vibration, drop, compression, and thermal cycling. It ensures that electronics survive long-distance or high-risk shipping.

GWP Group can, through variuos testing partners (including TUV SUD and ISTA), offer performance testing for electronics packaging. Alternatively, we can supply samples for customers to conduct their own testing.

The GS1 Global Labelling Standards is the international barcode and ID standard.

Packaging must include:

• GTIN barcodes
• Batch codes
• Serial numbers or QR codes for tracking

GWP Group can include GTIN barcodes, serial numbers etc. as required on any packaging we manufacture/print. Please note that the inclusion of the correct and required information is the legal responsibility of our customer, and not GWP Group. Details must be supplied in suitable print-ready artwork formats.