By 2025, industrial packaging must comply with a growing number of international standards that are becoming increasingly stringent. These standards are essential for transporting products safely, improving sustainability and meeting sector-specific requirements. For companies operating internationally, it is important to stay informed about UN certifications, NEN standards, MIL-STD requirements and circular packaging guidelines. These standards have a direct impact on transport safety, costs and environmental impact.
The most important UN certifications for industrial packaging in 2025 include the UN 4G standard for cardboard boxes, UN 4H for plastic packaging and UN 1A for steel drums. These certifications guarantee that packaging meets strict international safety requirements for the transport of hazardous substances and fragile goods.
UN certifications are becoming increasingly important for industrial packaging, particularly in international transport. In 2025, new, stricter standards will come into force that are specifically aimed at reducing transport damage. These standards impose higher requirements on packaging for dangerous goods, as well as for high-tech equipment and medical products.
UN certifications are divided into different categories, depending on the type of packaging and its contents:
UN 4G: For cardboard packaging, with new requirements for stackability and moisture resistance
UN 4H: For plastic packaging, with stricter standards for temperature resistance
UN 1A/1H: For metal and plastic drums, with new requirements for pressure resistance
UN 3A/3H: For jerrycans, with improved leak resistance
UN 50: For flexible bulk containers, with new standards for tear resistance
A key development for 2025 is that UN certifications now explicitly address the Dead On Arrival (DOA) rate. Practical tests show that packaging that complies with the new UN standards can reduce the DOA rate by 30–50%. This is because the tests for impact, vibration and stacking pressure have been tightened to better reflect actual transport conditions.
For businesses, this means that investing in UN-certified packaging is not only a legal obligation but also delivers a practical benefit in the form of reduced transport damage and returns.
NEN standards influence the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of industrial packaging by setting requirements for material use, durability and reusability. Packaging that meets these standards generally has a longer lifespan, lower replacement costs and reduced waste disposal costs, which can lower the TCO by 15–25%.
The Dutch NEN standards are an important addition to international standards and have a direct impact on the costs you incur for your packaging. When calculating the Total Cost of Ownership, you look not only at the purchase price, but at all costs throughout the packaging’s lifecycle.
The relevant NEN standards for industrial packaging include:
These standards influence the TCO in various ways:
Material usage and costs: NEN standards encourage more efficient use of materials, which can reduce initial costs. At the same time, they set quality requirements, which may mean you need to invest in higher-quality materials that are more expensive to purchase but last longer.
Lifespan and reusability: Packaging that complies with NEN-EN 13429 is designed for multiple uses, which reduces the cost per usage cycle. Packaging that can be used 10 times instead of just once spreads the purchase cost across multiple transport movements.
Waste management: NEN-compliant packaging is often more recyclable or even compostable, which can significantly reduce waste management costs. In some cases, this packaging can even generate value within a circular economy.
By choosing packaging that complies with NEN standards, you can save costs in the long term, even if the initial investment is higher. This is particularly relevant in 2025, when waste disposal costs are expected to rise further due to stricter environmental regulations.
Defence-related packaging is subject to strict MIL-STD requirements such as MIL-STD-810 for environmental conditions, MIL-STD-129 for marking and MIL-STD-2073 for military materials. These standards set specific requirements for shock resistance, water resistance, temperature tolerance and security, which are essential for eliminating Dead On Arrival risks in extreme conditions.
Defence organisations and their suppliers must comply with particularly stringent packaging requirements. Military standards (MIL-STD) have been developed to ensure that critical equipment and components arrive safely, even under the most extreme conditions. These standards are not merely guidelines – they often constitute a contractual obligation when supplying defence agencies.
The most relevant MIL-STD requirements for packaging are:
These standards have been specifically developed to eliminate DOA (Dead On Arrival) risks, which can be of critical importance in defence applications. After all, a defective component or damaged equipment can lead to life-threatening situations.
MIL-STD-810 is particularly important and sets requirements for packaging in the following areas:
For defence-related packaging, it is often necessary to draw up a test protocol. This protocol sets out how the packaging is tested and what the acceptance criteria are. Testing takes place under controlled conditions that simulate actual operating conditions.
Although MIL-STD packaging is often more expensive to purchase, the investment is justified by the higher reliability and lower risks. For critical applications within defence, cutting corners on packaging quality is simply not an option.
Circular packaging principles are becoming increasingly important in international regulations because they reduce waste, conserve raw materials and cut CO2 emissions. New regulations such as the EU Circular Economy Package and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) require companies to design packaging that is reusable, repairable and recyclable, which affects the Total Cost of Ownership.
The shift towards circular packaging is not a temporary trend but a fundamental change in how we view packaging. Instead of the traditional linear model (make, use, dispose), the circular economy promotes a closed loop in which materials retain their value for as long as possible.
These principles are increasingly being enshrined in international regulations for various reasons:
Raw material scarcity: With increasing pressure on natural resources, reuse and recycling are becoming an economic necessity
Climate targets: Circular packaging contributes to CO2 reduction by reducing the production of new materials
Waste issues: Growing mountains of waste and plastic pollution call for structural solutionsConsumer expectations: Increasing demand for sustainable products and packaging
The key circular principles being incorporated into international regulations are:
Reuse: Packaging must be designed for multiple uses. This principle is increasingly being made mandatory, particularly for transport packaging. By 2025, minimum percentages for reusable packaging are expected to be introduced across various sectors.
Repairability: Packaging such as flight cases and transport crates must be easy to repair. This means modular design and the availability of spare parts. New regulations encourage repair over replacement.
Recyclability: If reuse or repair is no longer possible, materials must be highly recyclable. This includes, amongst other things, avoiding mixed materials that are difficult to separate and the use of single-material solutions.
These principles have a direct impact on Total Cost of Ownership calculations:
For companies operating internationally, it is important to stay ahead of these developments. By investing in circular packaging solutions now, you can stay ahead of future regulations and build a competitive advantage.
International standards for industrial packaging are becoming increasingly stringent and comprehensive. By 2025, UN certifications, NEN standards, MIL-STD requirements and circular principles will play an even greater role in the packaging landscape. These standards affect not only the safety and reliability of packaging, but also the Total Cost of Ownership and environmental impact.
For companies operating internationally, it is important to monitor these developments and, where possible, anticipate future regulations. By investing in packaging that meets the highest standards, you not only reduce risks but also create opportunities for cost savings and sustainable growth.
At Faes, we understand the complexity of these challenges. As specialists in bespoke industrial packaging, we help our customers to comply with all relevant standards, from UN certifications to MIL-STD requirements. We design packaging that not only protects but also contributes to a circular economy.
