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Reusable packaging system design standard: Container design and performance
This is the first edition of RES-001/CSA R304, Reusable packaging system design standard: Container design and performance . This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard. This Standard was prepared by PR3's and CSA Group's Joint Working Group on Container Design under the jurisdiction of the PR3 Reusable Packaging System Standards Panel at RESOLVE and the CSA Technical Committee on Reusable Packaging System Design Standards, under the jurisdiction of the CSA Group Strategic Steering Committee on Organizational Management and Sustainability. This Standard has been formally approved by the PR3 Panel and the CSA Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. This Standard has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard.
This Standard specifies design requirements and recommendations for containers in a reusable packaging system.
This Standard applies to primary packaging, which is defined as packaging that comes in direct contact with the product. This Standard applies to containers that are part of a reusable packaging system in which the container is returned to a collection point and then washed, redistributed, and refilled. This Standard applies to containers of any material type that meet the specifications in this Standard. This Standard can apply to a lengthy list of traditional packaging formats, including bottles, cups, clamshells, boxes, trays, bags, bowls, and jars. It can also apply to items that are not typically considered packaging but are used to prepare or serve food and beverages (such as utensils and plates), as long as they are part of a reusable packaging system in which they are returned to a collection point, washed, and redistributed. These foodware items are subject to the same requirements as containers and traditional packaging in the reusable packaging system.
This Standard is not intended for e-commerce, secondary (packaging that holds multiple primary packaging units together), or tertiary (packaging used for bulk handling, storage, and transportation of products) packaging. This Standard does not apply to refillable containers that are owned by consumers and meant to be washed and refilled by consumers. This Standard does not apply to dishware or utensils that are used inside a restaurant or retail location and then washed in the same facility.
In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, that is, 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.
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.
| SDO | CSA: Canadian Standards Association |
| Document Number | |
| Publication Date | Jan. 1, 2026 |
| Language | en - English |
| Page Count | 45 |
| Revision Level | |
| Supercedes | |
| Committee |
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