Packaging, Non-Metallic & Furniture

The Packaging Laboratory delivers solutions to clients in the packaging, paper and print industries. The services provided by the laboratory include:

• Can seam analysis – to examine the effects of thermal processing. This test is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (accreditation was attained from the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC))

• Label assessment – Label approval is required for prepackaged products sold on the retail local market.

• Drop impact resistance – to simulate the drop/fall of packaged blow-molded thermoplastic containers to evaluate the damaged caused

• Dangerous goods packaging consultancy – to ensure compliance with the International Air Transport Association regulations for the shipment of dangerous goods

With EU funding administered by the Caribbean Development Bank, the scope of services of the Packaging Laboratory was expanded, effective August 2018, to include the following tests:

• Burst strength – to measure the strength at which sheet materials such as paper and corrugated board will burst

• Seal integrity / leak detection – to test the seal and substrate integrity of different kinds of packages including stand-up pouches, packaged meats, packaged snacks, poultry, cheese, sachet, cereal / grains, pet food, baked products, packaged seafood and rigid trays

• Tear strength – to determine the force required to continue the tearing of an initial cut in sheet materials such as paper, foils, plastics, textiles, aluminium foil and corrugated board

• Ink rub – to determine the quality of adhesion and scuff resistance of ink to paper surfaces; applicable to persons in the printing industry as well.

• Smoothness – To ensure that the smoothness of paper is met in the printing industry. Eg. printing of labels

The type of materials that can be tested has been increased from metal cans and blow moulded plastics to paper, corrugated board, woven fabric, coated fabric, foil and plastic film.

Non-Metallic Laboratory

The Non-Metallic Laboratory conducts testing on the following items:

• Paints

• Plastic chairs

• Safety matches

• Toys

• Textiles

• Tissue

Viscosity tests on both food and non-food products as well as flash point testing on various types of oils and other chemical based products can also be provided.

If you have any questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact us via email at packaging@bsj.org.jm. It will be our pleasure to discuss your requirements and help you decide which tests are most suitable for your needs. 

Guidelines for Labelling

Every manufacturer must ensure that his or her product is properly labelled, providing basic, yet important information for the consumers. A label is any wrien, electronic, or graphic communication about the product on the packaging or on a separate but associated material. For Jamaica, the label must be in English, even if other languages are also included. See full outline of Guidelines for Labelling here.

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