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Child-resistant packaging
Substances that contain chemicals hazardous to health and that are sold to consumers must have packaging with a child-resistant closure. This applies, for example, to products that contain corrosive chemicals or liquid chemicals that can cause lung damage if swallowed.
NET has today been accredited by Norsk Akkreditering according to ISO8317:2015: "Child-resistant packaging Requirements and test procedures for resealable packaging" for testing children and the elderly according to this international standard.
NET specifies that this so called "Child Resistant" packaging is in no way safe, it actually allows 20% of children to be able to access the contents and still it will be approved. We call it a "Child-protected closure". The cap should make it difficult for children to open the packaging, but it will never be impossible. At the same time, it should be easy for the elderly to open it. The most common are solutions that involve pressing the cap down at the same time as turning.
Products with hazardous chemicals are common in all Nordic homes. They are sold, for example, in groceries, sports shops, petrol stations, paint shops and hardware stores.
More than half of the inquiries to the Poisons Information Center about the risk of serious poisoning of children concern lighter fluid, white spirit and similar products. When swallowing such liquids, it is important not to induce vomiting. Vomiting can cause the liquid to pass into the lungs and cause serious lung damage.
Child-resistant closure is never a guarantee that children will not be able to "get the packaging open", but is intended to delay opening by making it difficult for children. It is important that adults are aware of the dangers associated with the use of chemicals. Dangerous chemicals must be kept out of the reach of children, this is something that NET now wants to educate the public about through visits and testing in kindergartens around the country. It should be just as natural to have a chemical cabinet in a home with children as having a highchair in the car, says Inger Semb, who is very pleased to finally be able to use the method as part of NET's toolbox.
Should the accident occur, you can call the Poison Information Center which is open 24 hours a day: +47 22 59 13 00.
https://helsenorge.no/Giftinformasjon
In addition to this, NET offers self-developed test methods that ensure that the packaging solution also works after the closure mechanism has been in contact with the hazardous substance over a period of time (ITM-215). ISO8317, namely only looks at the functionality, and is tested in nurseries and with seniors only with water or other harmless substances as a replacement product.