Reusable packaging system design standard: Container washing, inspection, and packing for distribution
Scope:
Note: The title and scope for this NOI (originally published on October 11, 2023) was updated by the responsible SDO on April 1, 2025.
1.1 General
This Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for washing containers in a reusable packaging system, as well as inspecting them after washing and packing them to be redistributed.
1.2 Inclusions
This Standard applies to primary packaging. Primary packaging is packaging that comes into direct contact with the product. Primary packaging is sometimes referred to as “consumer” or “retail” packaging.
This Standard applies to containers that are part of a system for reuse in which the container is returned to a collection point and then washed, redistributed, and refilled.
This Standard applies to containers that meet the requirements of the RES-001/CSA R304 containers Standard and are intended to come into contact with food or beverage.
This Standard can also be applied to some foodware items that are not traditionally referred to as “packaging”, but are part of a reuse system, such as food utensils and plates.
1.3 Exclusions
This Standard is not intended for secondary, transport, or tertiary packaging. Secondary packaging holds primary packaging units. Examples of secondary packaging include crates and e-commerce boxes.
1.4 Terminology
In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.
1.5 Units of measurement
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.
Project need:
Single-use packaging is a critical threat to human health and the environment. Research shows that reuse has the greatest potential to dramatically reduce plastic production and greenhouse gas emissions compared to other packaging waste interventions. As reusable packaging systems have emerged and expanded in recent years, they have been designed independently and are mostly small-scale, disconnected, and proprietary. They mostly operate within their own systems for collection and reverse logistics. The key benefits of standardized reuse systems include: • The potential for reusable packaging from multiple companies and retailers to share the same core infrastructure and services (e.g., collection points, transportation, and washing); • Per-use packaging comparable to single-use packaging; and • Dramatically decreased climate and environmental impact compared to single-use packaging. The Third-party Washing, Sanitization & Handling of Foodware Standard represents one component of the Reusable Packaging System Design Standard. The goal of the Reusable Packaging System Design standard is to transform disconnected reuse systems into an interoperable system that is more efficient, convenient, and affordable and has the ability to truly scale. The Third-party Washing, Sanitization & Handling of Foodware Standard provides instructions for aligning container design across brands and companies in a way that enables sharing of container collection points, washing facilities, and logistics. This proposed New Standard is being developed at the request of Environment & Climate Change Canada as it aligns with the Government of Canada’s circular economy priorities . The standards will be developed with US Standards Development Organization, PR3 (Resolve), and will provide the industry with harmonized, binational standards between Canada and the US on Container Design to support reuse systems. As economies transition to reuse, these system standards have the potential to impact communities, consumers, workers, businesses, governments, and other stakeholders. This will meet the strategic needs of the following key interests: a) Industries, retailers, brand owners and packaging designers that intend to operate containers in a reuse system b) Ensuring consumers and communities are provided with the appropriate knowledge to participate in and engage with reuse systems c) Addressing Canadian and US federal government circular economy/waste reduction priorities and needs by providing suitable requirements for reuse systems; and aligning Canadian and US federal government reuse systems
Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.
Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.