This guide provides an overview of special child-resistant and senior-friendly packaging (for simplicity, referred to as CRP) – what types are available and which companies manufacture and test CRP. Photographs of the CRP also are included. This information has been compiled by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff. It has not been reviewed or approved by, and may not reflect the views of the Commission.

NOTE: THE CPSC DOES NOT APPROVE, CERTIFY, OR ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC CRP.

During the years CRP has been used to package drugs, cosmetics, and household chemicals, the number of children who have died from ingesting toxic household substances has declined significantly.

Both the CPSC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require the use of this packaging with certain products. The CPSC administers the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (PPPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1471-1476. Regulations issued under the PPPA provide for CRP of many harmful household products. This helps prevent children under the age of five years old from gaining access to those household products that could cause serious illness or injury.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), section 25 (c)(3), the EPA sets standards for the packaging of pesticides and/or devices to protect children and adults from serious illness or injury resulting from accidental ingestion or contact with these pesticides or devices.

This guide describes a variety of CRP. Packages are designated as CRP strictly on the basis of data supplied by manufacturers and are included here with the permission of those manufacturers. Packaging designated CRP is used as the primary packaging. Using these packages as the secondary packaging would not comply with the PPPA.

How to Use the CRP Indices

To access CRP descriptions and photographs, use the indices listed below.

The three indices (with links) include:

An index by ASTM type (based on the ASTM classification standard D3475-09), CRP manufacturer, and CRP name.
An index by CRP manufacturer (in alphabetical order), CRP name, and ASTM type.
An index by package type and ASTM type, as well as CRP manufacturer and CRP name.

To contact a CRP manufacturer included in this guide, click here. This list will be updated periodically upon request of CRP manufacturers.

To contact a firm that has conducted tests or plans to conduct tests on CRP in accordance with the PPPA, click here. This list will also be updated periodically.

To contact a consultant who represents that he/she can provide services in CRP development or manufacture in accordance with the PPPA, click here. This list will also be updated periodically.

ASTM Classifications

ASTM Type I Reclosable Packaging Continuous Thread Closure
ASTM Type II Reclosable Packaging Lug Finish Closure
ASTM Type III Reclosable Packaging Snap Closure
ASTM Type IV Unit Non Reclosable Packaging Flexible (Strip/Pouch)
ASTM Type VII Aerosol Packages
ASTM Type VIII Non Reclosable Packaging Semi Rigid (Blister)
ASTM Type IX Dispensers (Not Intended To Be Removed)
ASTM Type X Box Or Tray Package
ASTM Type XI Reclosable Packaging Flexible
ASTM Type XIII Reclosable Packaging Semi Rigid (Blister)

The ASTM classifications are extracted, with permission, from D3475-09, Standard Classification of Child Resistant Packages, copyright

ASTM International
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428 2959.

Copies of the complete standard may be purchased from: ASTM International (telephone: 610-832 9585, fax: 610-832 9555, email: service@astm.org ; website: www.astm.org ).

Important Note

This is not a comprehensive listing of all CRP available or all CRP that can be used for products regulated under the PPPA. CPSC staff has not certified or verified the manufacturers' test data on child-resistance or senior adult use effectiveness. THE CPSC DOES NOT APPROVE, CERTIFY, OR ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC CRP, OR USE OF ANY SPECIFIC SPECIAL CLOSURE WITH A SPECIFIC CONTAINER OR SUBSTANCE, OR THE COMPANIES LISTED THAT MANUFACTURE, DEVELOP, AND/OR TEST CRP. It is the responsibility of the packager to select CRP that is suitable for the substance to be packaged and its intended use.

Additions/Corrections

If you would like additional CRP to be included in this guide, please send at least 2 samples of the CRP, the manufacturer’s permission, and a copy of the full protocol laboratory testing report. If you would like to correct errors or omissions, send us your suggestions and the basis for your comments. Any corrections or additions will be verified first with the company involved.

Please address all correspondence to:

Gregory K. Rea
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Directorate for Laboratory Sciences
5 Research Place
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 987-2258
Email: grea@cpsc.gov

Note: This booklet is a joint undertaking of the CPSC and the EPA. A version of this guide is also posted on the EPA’s Web Site at www.epa.gov . The EPA maintains its own lists of CRP manufacturers and CRP testing firms. Please address corrections for the EPA lists to:

Attention: Rosalind L. Gross, Ph.D.
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs (7505P)
Registration Division
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 308 7368
Fax: (703) 308 9382
Email: Gross.Rosalind@epa.gov