Traceability of packaging and packaged products

摘要

Technology to trace packaging and packaged products has advanced with the development of new systems designed to identify unique tracers, or markers, embedded in manufactured goods. Different types of tracer materials are discussed in this paper covering intrinsic markers that are present in materials used to manufacture the package, through to materials that are specifically formulated and added at the manufacturing stage to produce a "customer distinct signature". The drivers for these technologies include brand protection and control of fraudulent practices such as product substitution. Recently new materials and fabrication techniques have evolved which can be used in packaging and labelling systems. Compact readers are able to detect tracer components in the package along the supply chain and verify the origin of the packaging and, using similar technology, the origin of the product inside the packaging. Three main drivers for innovation in the field of traceability technology are (Figure 1): 1. Risk management. Customers and producers in the supply chain manage risks mainly arising from liability and protection of reputation or brand. 2. Differentiation. A traceability system records evidence to substantiate content and credence claims. 3. Productivity gains. Sourcing the correct materials that optimise the performance of the manufacturing process result in enhanced profitability For certain consignments, the same traceability technology can be used to verify the origin of all the material associated with the packaging and the packaged products. The ability to verify the authenticity of packaging and the product inside, in a short time frame, is an additional key combination that enhances security along the supply chain. When linked with information on raw materials used to manufacture packaging systems the ability to manage product substitution is significantly improved. A review of international technology developments and traceability initiatives reveals a number of issues on adoption: 1. Standards - further progress is required with data synchronisation and global harmonisation of standards so traceability programs and databases can "exchange" information; 2. Technology - rapid, low cost, compact testing technologies are under development for chemical analyses of fundamental elements for biomaterials (e.g. litmus DNA, isotopic analyses and 'chemical barcodes'); 3. Resolution and customisation of RFID (radio frequency identification device) functionality in hostile environments ; use of emerging nano-engineering solutions to code materials and products with unique identifiers; 4. Databases - linkages among proprietary databases are required to reduce duplication and gain more value from information for decision support systems; 5. Coordination - generally there is a lack of coordination between central government and state/local government; 6. Authority - many jurisdictions lack the authority, or will to exercise authority to enforce disciplines that guarantee authenticity (e.g. intellectual property, brand protection); 7. Human capability - training of supply chain managers and technologists could be stronger; 8. Consumer - there is growing consumer understanding of the usefulness of traceability in food safety and product assurance which has been brought into sharp focus through food contamination incidents. No single technology has the capability to provide a total solution to traceability. The key is judicious selection of a basket of technologies, customised to meet the needs of a particular industry, used in conjunction with suitable ICT (information communication technology). This paper discusses new products and systems to trace packaging and packaged products.