Automatic Air Freshener Labeling Requirements
Although the average consumer may not realize it, air fresheners are big business. According to the latest estimates, the current US air freshener market is valued to be worth over one-and-a-half billion dollars. Of all the sectors within this market, automatic air fresheners are the second most profitable segment, slightly trailing behind the immensely popular aerosol spray category.
Every year, companies like Febreeze, Glade, and Air Wick make millions of dollars from selling automatic spray devices and related products like alternative fragrances and accessories. To participate in this market, however, it’s essential to understand modern product labeling standards.
Automatic air fresheners are considered a common household commodity, so manufacturers are obligated to follow laws, like the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), which lay out minimum labeling requirements and traceability standards. In addition, many retail outlets and distribution networks have their own labeling standards that companies must follow to maintain a prosperous working relationship.
If you’re new to the world of automatic air freshener labeling requirements, here’s what you need to know.
What To Know About Automatic Air Freshener Labeling Requirements
Automatic air fresheners are a popular subset of the air freshener market. As a type of room freshener, they fall under the regulative authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If a line of automatic air fresheners poses a safety risk or doesn’t comply with federal labeling regulations, the CPSC has the authority to require a recall or outright ban a product.
The most basic labeling requirement for automatic air fresheners stems from the FPLA. Enacted in 1967, the FPLA requires that all consumer commodities—a product category that explicitly includes goods used for household care and personal use—be labeled with these three basic elements:
- A statement identifying the commodity (e.g., automatic air freshener, fragrance refill, etc.)
- The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
- The net quantity of contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count
Air freshener manufacturers most commonly comply with these demands by including the necessary information as part of the stock packaging design. However, not all labeling requirements are as simple to accommodate.
To get an air freshener product on store shelves or sold through an online retailer, manufacturers need to comply with modern traceability standards. These standards generally obligate companies to outfit their products with fully traceable markings like:
- Lot numbers
- Packaging dates
- Batch codes
- Serial numbers
With these codes properly applied, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers can successfully track all of their products throughout the supply chain. However, these codes naturally vary on a batch-by-batch basis, so they can’t come stock on packaging like the info required by the FPLA.
Fortunately, today’s industrial printing hardware makes traceable code application easier than ever.
The Best Variable Data Printing Hardware for Automatic Air Freshener Packaging
Automatic air freshener manufacturers can apply variable data codes to their products using a few different printing technologies. Today, the most common options are continuous inkjet printers (CIJ) and thermal transfer overprinters (TTO). Although both of these machines are effectively used to mark product packaging with variable data, they operate very differently.
CIJ printers specialize in marking substrates at fast speeds for up to 24 hours a day. They can operate nonstop for extended periods of time due to:
- Using large bottles of ink and solvent as fluid sources
- Maintaining highly pressurized flows of ink during operation
By integrating a CIJ printer into a production line, a company can mark industrial product quantities day-in and day-out.
TTO machines, on the other hand, mark products by heating ink-covered ribbons and putting the melted ink into contact with a passing object. The resulting codes and text are sharp, easy-to-read, and can be made at resolutions generally up to 300 DPI—a resolution higher than most CIJ printers can match.
Beyond better code appearance, TTO machines are also better suited for printing on flexible materials such as plastic film. Although CIJ printers are also compatible with flexible materials, the applied codes may wander or become faint when applied to films, which may render the codes unreadable. Conversely, TTO machines are not capable of matching the marking speed of CIJ printers, which may make them unsuitable for certain line setups.
As you can see, one can’t buy a one-size-fits-all printing solution. Required printing speed, chosen packaging material, and more must be considered before investing in hardware. Thankfully, the experts at InkJet, Inc. can help you find the best machinery and ink supplies to meet your needs.
Need Labeling Hardware for Your Operation? InkJet, Inc. Has You Covered
With how important packaging labels are to modern commerce, you can’t afford to cut corners when marking your products. However, by integrating the right printing technology into your packaging line, you can ensure that your goods are outfitted with easily-readable text and machine-scannable barcodes, like the printers InkJet, Inc. offers which are capable of printing GS1 compliant barcodes.
For over 30 years, we here at InkJet, Inc. have helped companies of all sizes and industries comply with labeling standards by offering reliable printing hardware and top-of-the-line ink formulas. With our products and expertise, we can help you find the best printer for your operation. Call today to learn more.
For more information on how to comply with automatic air freshener labeling requirements, contact us online today or call 1(800) 280-3245.