Packaging Standards Summary

Packaging Standards Summary - September 2025

Looking back at September 2025, the Packaging and Distribution of Goods sector experienced a targeted yet significant development in standards publication. During this period, a single—but notably impactful—standard was introduced: ISO/TS 18617:2025, which addresses hand hole design principles and test methods for handheld packages. As manual handling, ergonomic safety, and package usability continue to rise as priorities in logistics, this overview will help industry professionals, quality managers, compliance officers, engineers, and procurement specialists stay current with the latest regulatory benchmarks. By synthesizing the content and context of September’s release, this review offers valuable insights for professionals aiming to align their operations with international best practices.

Monthly Overview: September 2025

September 2025 brought focused progress in the standardization of packaging ergonomics, with emphasis on worker safety and package usability through the introduction of ISO/TS 18617:2025. Rather than a wave of miscellaneous new requirements, the month was marked by concentrated attention on the intersection of design utility and health outcomes in manual logistics tasks. This reflects the sector's evolving response to ergonomic risks, musculoskeletal injuries among warehouse workers, and an increased industry expectation for built-in safety features in packaging design.

The choice to spotlight hand hole design and testing indicates growing recognition of the real-world impacts—both in injury reduction and operational efficiency—of standards-guided package design. Compared to previous months, which may have seen more general or broadly-scoped publications, this period’s singular focus underscores a maturing market expecting practical solutions to workforce health challenges typical in manual logistics and distribution. This coverage suggests an industry direction that increasingly values user-centered detail without neglecting robust test procedures and objective benchmarking.

Standards Published This Month

ISO/TS 18617:2025 – Hand hole design principles and test methods for handheld packages

Hand hole design principles and test methods for handheld packages

ISO/TS 18617:2025 sets out comprehensive ergonomic design requirements and rigorous test evaluation methods for the hand holes of handheld packages. Applicable to packages up to 23 kg handled during distribution and logistics, the standard brings structure to a crucial aspect of package usability and operator safety. By defining both structural characteristics and testing protocols—including jerk and tensile tests—it seeks to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for logistics workers engaged in packing, loading, unloading, and transportation.

Scope and Requirements

Design Criteria: The standard details required characteristics for hand hole size, structure, and placement—ensuring holes are neither too sharp nor too weak, avoiding injuries and ensuring durability during typical two-handed lifting operations.
Test Methods: Two main evaluations are included: the jerk test (simulating sudden lifting forces) and the tensile test (measuring shear and pulling resistance). Both are designed to validate the practical safety and robustness of hand holes under real operational conditions.
Applicability: The requirements are directed toward packaging manufacturers, suppliers to logistics and distribution, quality engineers, and any organization producing or specifying handheld packages up to 23 kg.
Integration: While not a medical or comprehensive safety guideline, ISO/TS 18617:2025 aligns with related standards (such as ASTM D6804), introducing international conformity and detailed test procedures for packaging intended for manual handling.

Who Needs to Comply?

Manufacturers of packaging for electronics, household goods, food and beverage products, and similar sectors—especially those selling through retail, warehousing, or direct logistics channels—should review and integrate these requirements. Compliance teams, designers, and ergonomics specialists all have a stake in ensuring the guideline's principles are implemented to reduce risk and enhance usability.

Notable Features and Distinctions

Structured test reports and definitive pass/fail criteria
Recognition of international ergonomics research (e.g., worker injury statistics)
Requirements for cautious design (rounded edges, shear durability)
Recommendations for supplementary caution signs and weight labels
Specific definition and clarification of terminology for consistent industry usage

Key highlights:

Ergonomically sound, pressure-dispersing hand hole design
Robust test protocols (jerk and tensile tests) addressing real handling stresses
Applicability for packages up to 23 kg, focusing on manual logistics workflows

Access the full standard:View ISO/TS 18617:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

September 2025’s standardization activity clearly reflected a deepening industry focus on ergonomics, worker safety, and packaging usability. As global logistics chains face ongoing pressure to optimize efficiency without compromising health, practical standards targeting repetitive manual handling tasks are gaining prominence. The explicit reference in ISO/TS 18617:2025 to widespread musculoskeletal injuries among warehouse and logistics staff demonstrates the real-world need driving these requirements.

Key patterns from this month’s activity include:

Prioritization of Operational Safety: Reducing musculoskeletal and spinal injuries through better package design directly addresses one of the leading causes of workplace absence and compensation claims in logistics environments.
Standardized Test Methods: Clear, replicable evaluation protocols (jerk and tensile tests) offer a path toward both compliance and continuous improvement for organizations seeking to benchmark product performance.
Alignment with International Ergonomics Research: The standard incorporates findings across diverse product categories, recognizing the universality of these challenges for sectors ranging from electronics to food distribution.
Lifecycle Usability: Hand hole performance is not just a packaging concern—it integrates into the entire supply chain, from warehouse movement to final delivery.

The singular focus on ergonomic improvement and measurable safety outcomes stands out as this month’s defining trend.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations within the Packaging and Distribution of Goods sector, ISO/TS 18617:2025 provides clear guidance with actionable benchmarks. Here’s how professionals can best respond:

Review Design Practices: Assess existing handheld package designs for compliance with the specified hand hole dimensions, structural profiles, and edge treatments.
Implement Test Protocols: Establish in-house or third-party jerk and tensile test routines in line with the standard to validate current products and inform new designs.
Update Documentation: Ensure packaging specifications, safety instructions, and quality assurance protocols are revised to reflect the new requirements and terminology.
Staff Training: Educate design, quality, and logistics staff about proper ergonomic considerations and why compliant hand holes contribute to worker safety.
Supplier Coordination: Engage with packaging suppliers to confirm their compliance and encourage adoption across the supply chain.

Priority recommendations:

Conduct a gap analysis of current packaging samples versus the new standard.
Make near-term changes to hand hole implementation for high-volume, high-risk products (e.g., heavy consumer goods, electronics).
Plan phased updates to long-term designs, leveraging ISO/TS 18617:2025 as input for all new product packaging.

Timeline for Compliance: Although the standard’s technical specification status may not always imply immediate regulatory enforcement, early adoption positions organizations as industry leaders, reduces potential occupational health liabilities, and streamlines accreditation with global partners.

Additional Resources:

Access the full text for technical details and test procedures
Consult ergonomics experts for implementation support
Review related local and international packaging safety regulations for holistic compliance

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from September 2025

September 2025 stands out for its focused advancement in packaging standards, as embodied by ISO/TS 18617:2025. Through the lens of hand hole ergonomics, this publication provides industry professionals with actionable guidance to materially improve operator safety, package usability, and compliance transparency.

Most impactful highlight:

Introduction of international design criteria and robust testing methods for handheld package hand holes, advancing both safety and process consistency in logistics.

For industry professionals, the path forward includes:

Proactive review and redesign of existing packaging
Adoption of standard test evaluation protocols
Ongoing staff and supply chain training for continuous alignment

In an increasingly competitive and safety-conscious sector, staying current with such standards is not just a compliance issue—it’s a pathway to operational excellence, reduced workplace risk, and competitive advantage in global distribution channels.

For full access to the new standard and further supporting materials, consult ISO/TS 18617:2025 on iTeh Standards and continue to monitor monthly reviews for developments shaping the future of packaging and distribution best practices.