Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
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Originally Published June 1998

OUR VIEW

Calling All Stretch-Film Manufacturers and Users

FPA sponsors new council to foster voluntary standards and promote stretch film use. Council could make a packaging engineer's job easier.

Over the years, the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has provided organizational support to industry groups that need to develop programs tailored to specific needs. The Plastic Grocery Sack Council, the Agricultural Film Council, and the Medical Device Packaging Manufacturers Council are all groups that have used, or currently use, the umbrella of FPA to develop their own identities. The latest industry group to fall under this umbrella is the Stretch Film Manufacturers Council. Packagers commonly use stretch film to unitize loads for shipping and to help prevent theft of the items being shipped.

In 1996 and early 1997, stretch-film suppliers suggested to industry leaders that, as a group, they could unite and develop certain voluntary agreements for the collective good. By coming together under the auspices of a trade association, a group of manufacturers is, by law, allowed to agree on mutual goals and objectives that would not be available otherwise. For example, they could communicate with federal and state governments and other public agencies on subjects of concern to the industry; promote the use of their products; conduct technical, manufacturing, and statistical programs; and establish standards and specifications.

Because these objectives were agreeable to stretch-film suppliers, they contacted FPA in order to create a council under its banner. FPA president Glenn Braswell brought this question to his executive committee, which agreed to the formation of the council. All parties met in Washington, DC, to determine what kind of commitment FPA could expect from the group and, in return, what services the association could offer.

That initial meeting in the fall of 1997 led to another meeting in early 1998. Because of some disagreement among some of the stretch-film suppliers, forming the council has proceeded slowly. FPA expects the group to be fully organized by the end of the year.

For packaging engineers, the formation of the council is important because of the work the council will do toward developing voluntary standards. These standards, which may involve stretch film used to package medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and nutritional supplements, could make it easier for packaging engineers to spec packaging orders. Also, if packaging engineers stay informed about the demands placed upon their suppliers, they will be in a better position to realistically negotiate terms of supplier contracts.

Most stretch-film suppliers will want to join the council for selfish reasons—to take part in the action. Most com-panies will want to help create these standards. At this time, membership is limited to manufacturers of stretch film; at a later date, suppliers to these manufacturers as well as end-users may be allowed to join.

The Flexible Packaging Association is located at 1090 Vermont Ave. N.W., Ste. 500, Washington, DC 20005. Richard Thornburg, who has more than 20 years' experience representing various industries to federal, state, and local governments, can be reached at 202/842-3880.