What is the difference between a tamper-evident seal and a child-resistant closure?
When you stroll down the personal aisle at your local store or browse through online beauty shops, you're greeted with an array of captivating products. Each of these products has been encased in a packaging type best suited to the formula inside.
Tamper-evident seals and child-resistant closures are two essential package features for maintaining product safety. But what are they, and how are they different from one another? Let's look more closely:
Tamper-evident seals
A crucial component of cosmetic and skincare packaging is the tamper-evident seal, which serves primarily to protect the integrity of the product and reassure customers that the item has not been tampered with. Usually, induction seals, breakable caps, or shrink bands are used to create these seals. Here is how they function:
- Shrink bands: This type of seal is used on products such as mouthwashes. Shrink bands are PVC or plastic sleeves that cinch tightly around a container's lid and neck. They are heated, which causes them to contract and fit the package perfectly. The shrink band will break or show obvious damage if someone tries to open the product before buying it, which is a sign of tampering.
- Tamper-evident band: Some cosmetics and skincare items have a band that detaches or breaks when the product is first opened. The cap cannot be sealed or reinstalled in its original form once it has been removed, providing an obvious sign of tampering.
- Induction seals: Induction seals, which take the form of a thin, foil-like seal placed over the container's opening, are frequently used in cosmetics and skincare items. To use the product, the seal must be pierced, therefore it’s evident if the seal has been compromised.
Child-resistant closures
Often abbreviated as CRC, child-resistant closures serve an entirely different purpose to tamper-evident seals. Rather than signifying tampering, their goal is to prevent kids from ingesting a product, or coming into contact with harmful substances. Each type is designed to be difficult to use for children, who has limited dexterity and strength. As with tamper-evident seals, there are different types of child-resistant closures:
- Push-and-turn caps: A very common type of CRC, and the one that is most likely to spring to mind, is the push-and-turn cap. As the name indicated, to open a container with a push-and-turn cap, users must simultaneously push down and turn to open the container.
- Squeeze-and-turn caps: These types of caps work similarly to push-and-turn caps, but involve compressing the cap while turning.
If you’re after packaging that will keep your products safe from either tampering, or from curious little hands, we have a variety of options available. Contact us to discuss your requirements.