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ANSI/CSA AMERICA FC 3-2004 (R2021) has been posted for ANSI BSR-8 (ANSI Public Review) on the ANSI Standards Action Website. For further information please visit: https://www.ansi.org/resource-center/standards-action.

1.1 General

This Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for marking and labeling containers, collection points, and signage in a reusable packaging system.

These standards do not preempt any industry standards or regulations related to food safety, quality or other topics that are often included in and related to product marking or labeling. In general, PR3’s standards are to be applied in addition to all other relevant marking and labeling standards.

1.2 Inclusions

This Standard applies to reusable packaging systems in which containers are returned to a collection point and then washed, redistributed, and refilled.

This Standard can apply to a lengthy list of traditional primary packaging formats for food and non-food items, including bottles, cups, clamshells, boxes, trays, bags, bowls, and jars. It can also apply to items that are not typically considered packaging but are used to prepare or serve food and beverages (e. g., utensils and plates), as long as they are part of a reusable packaging system in which they are returned to a collection point, washed, and redistributed, and that meet the requirements of PR3’s Container design and performance standard, RES-001:26/CSA R304:26.

This Standard is applicable to collection points that meet the requirements of PR3’s Collection Point Standard.

This Standard is also applicable to other assets in a reusable packaging system, including signage and educational materials in locations that provide, sell, collect and/or service reusable containers, including, but not limited to retailers, restaurants, sports and entertainment venues, logistics and washing facilities, return depots and kiosks, and public gathering spaces.

1.3 Exclusions

This Standard does not apply to containers that are sold or distributed without a system and infrastructure in place for the container to be collected, washed, and reused.

This Standard is not for refillable coffee cups, foodware, shopping bags, or other types of containers that are owned by a user and meant to be washed and refilled by the user, for example, a personal water bottle.

This Standard does not apply to dishware or utensils that are used exclusively inside a restaurant or retail location and then washed in the same facility.

1.4 Terminology

In this Standard, “SHALL” is used to express a requirement, that is, a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “SHOULD” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “MAY” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5 Units of measure

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.