During the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Technical Forums, which were held alongside Auspack, Arthritis Australia launched the Ease of Use programme to recognise companies that design user-friendly and easy-to-open consumer packaging and products.
Judith Nguyen, director and consumer representative for Arthritis Australia, who launched the Ease of Use programme, says it’s a first for consumer products and packaging in Australia and New Zealand.She says, “With the unavoidable aging population in Australia and New Zealand, now is the time for manufacturers to design products and packaging that actually considers openability and ease-of-use. The reality is that as a body ages upper body mobility, finger strength, dexterity and reach are limited.”
Nguyen continues, “These limitations in function reduce a consumer’s ability to open packaging and this does have a major implication on design of products and packaging. The EOU programme will enable manufacturers who are already designing user-friendly packaging and products to be recognised for their efforts.”
Any product or packaging that has user-friendly easy-to-open design may qualify for the Ease of Use trademark. This covers everything from food and beverage packaging through to household, garden and sporting goods.
According to Nguyen, manufacturers who earn the Ease of Use trademark will gain a powerful business tool assuring consumers that their needs are being recognised and the logo will also differentiate user-friendly easy-to-open brands in-store quickly and easily.
