General Packaging Requirements (US)

Model Toxics in Packaging

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was established by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) in 1992 to assist states that adopted the CONEG-developed Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation.  Currently adopted by 19 states, this legislation requires reductions in the amount of four heavy metals (specifically, mercury, lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium) in packaging and packaging components sold or distributed in those 19 states.  The goal is to phase out the use and presence of these four metals, require certificates of compliance and allow for certain exemptions (which must be approved by the individual states.) The legislation prohibits the intentional introduction of the four heavy metals during manufacturing or distribution. Further, manufacturers and distributors of packaging or packaging materials are required to reduce the sum of the concentration levels of incidentally introduced lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium to 100 parts per million or less.  Legislation can be found here, and all packaging utilized in zulily products must comply: http://toxicsinpackaging.org/model-legislation/model/.

Fair Packaging & Labeling Act (FPLA)

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA or Act) directs the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration to issue regulations requiring that all “consumer commodities” be labeled to disclose net contents, identity of commodity, and name and place of business of the product’s manufacturer, packer, or distributor. For the specifics, please visit: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-packaging-labeling-act.