News from Advanced Web -Happy New Year! UL & Flexible Packaging News

One good guarantee of product authenticity is so obvious that it is often overlooked: the labels indicating the product has been certified as safe by UL. Getting that 'nod' of approval for UL, however, can prove to be a tumultuous task. If you are an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), then we are just preaching to the choir.

When a product has earned the right to wear a UL label, then you can be sure that it has been put through the wringer. The fact not only holds true for OEMs but also for Advanced Web - your label converter.

For us, UL's certification process includes a lengthy material investigation. Continuous and unannounced factory inspections are commonplace, and audit compliance with UL requirements and procedures are necessary to maintain our certifications.

UL tests our label constructions for consistency in production, and to assure that our customers are getting proper use out of their labels. UL label testing (UL 969 Marketing and Labeling Systems Testing Standards) measures characteristics such as print durability, service temperatures, acceptable application surfaces, and chemical resistance. These tests verify that the label will remain securely affixed and legible for the life of your product.

OEMs seek UL certified labels for their products in order to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury. Warning, instructional and product identification labels not only protect an OEM against liability, but compliance with label standards mandating such markings also allow OEMs to globally market and distribute their products. And, while it may come as common knowledge, it is important to note that slapping a UL certified label construction onto your product does not then make it a UL recognized product. You must obtain UL recognition for your specific product in order to use the UL certified marks.

You Can't Counterfeit Safety

It is important to remember that safety-certification is a critical product differentiator for many consumers - especially when it comes to potentially hazardous equipment.

Today's consumers are well-informed and ready to make the right decision when it comes to their safety. Often times, this means that the absence of a UL Safety logo on a product may mean passing that product by for a better qualified piece of equipment.

In their effort to masquerade themselves as bonafide manufacturers, counterfeiters attempt to duplicate UL logos onto their labels. Buyers, in turn, believe that their purchases are safe, however, these products lack the assurance provided by performance testing. That testing is a manufacturing expense knockoff makers seek to avoid.

Both UL and CSA (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) have aggressive anti-counterfeiting initiatives underway to both identify fake certification labels and prosecute the offenders. Both organizations have strict non-negotiation policies, and any seized products are destroyed after investigation.

For more information on UL's Anti-Counterfeiting Operations, and the impact counterfeiting can have on consumers, retailers and manufacturers, please visit:

UL - Anti-Counterfeiting Operations

Stretch Your Dollar with AW's Flexible Packaging

Why overburden yourself with multiple suppliers for your various packaging needs - when Advanced Web is proud to serve as your one-stop-packaging-shop!

For more than 25 years, we have been providing flexible packaging products to leading manufacturers with applications in medical device, OEM, consumer products and promotional markets. We understand the unique demands of flexible packaging applications - durable, pliant and able to meet both the functional and aesthetic needs you require. Our comprehensive knowledge of flexible films and the process required to get the job done makes your job quick and easy.

Our extensive portfolio of converting equipment allows us to offer a number of flexible packaging solutions to the marketplace -

Features:

49" print width
6 color maximum
4 color process
Bag converting
Slitting
Choose from a wide variety of substrates, papers, films, foils, wovens, etc.

Applications:

Roll stock - printed/non-printed material for high speed packaging applications
Bags - printed/non-printed bags for promotional, commercial and industrial applications
Sheets - LDPE sheets for commercial and industrial applications
Banners - promotional and retail, advertising applications

DID YOU KNOW?

Flexible Packaging: Less Resources. Less Footprint. More Value.

Going Flexible allows you to be unique, fun and creative with your packaging. But, did you know that it can also offer you a wide range of sustainable benefits?

Click Here to check out the Flexible Packaging Association's in-depth study on the environmental advantages that consumers, manufacturers and retailers can reap when opting for flexible packaging options.

Medical Device/OEM Update:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

HealthPack 2010 - taking place March 2-4 at the Sheraton Gunter in San Antonio, TX. An annual event for packaging professionals looking for ideas and solutions that will help them produce better, more efficient medical device packaging.

Dave Olson of Advanced Web has been awarded the honor of speaking at this year's conference. Dave will share his expertise on how to test your package system labels for materials compatability and adhesion over time.

This year's keynote speaker will be Charles Sidebottom, Director of Corporate Standards for Medtronic. Sidebottom will address the position of the Association of Medical Instrumentation in the standards world, how AAMI functions and how they have influenced and have benefited from medical device packaging standards. He will also address how packaging engineers and others can get involved in AAMI and the importance of participating in the association's committees and working groups.

For more information on HealthPack 2010, or to register for this event, please visit: www.healthpack.net

marketing@advancedweb.com