As our own eco-friendly, waste minimising drive with our 120 tonne challenge at Kite continues, so does Amazon’s commitment to reducing packaging waste through its sustainable packaging programmes. In October last year, Amazon revealed its latest approach in a letter to all UK vendors stating the business’s next step in its sustainability mission. The Amazon team said:

“Packaging is a critical component of providing a great customer experience and an important part of our sustainability mission at Amazon. Ten years ago, we invented Frustration-Free Packaging to reduce waste, lower cost, and delight customers with easy-to-open, 100% recyclable packaging. Since then, we’ve partnered with thousands of you to redesign your packaging as Frustration-Free, and we’ve received very positive feedback.”

So now in order to help cement this, the ecommerce giant is putting in place measures that state many items sold on Amazon need to be officially certified as ready to ship through its Frustration-Free Packaging certification programmes (Tier 1 – FFP or Tier 2 – SIOC) from October 1st 2019.

Amazon’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 explained

Tier 1 – Easy to open minimal and recyclable packaging materials that qualify as effectively Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP)
Tier 2 – Protective vendor packaging that Ships in Own Container (SIOC)

These tiers measure whether there is a minimal damage and defect rate and check that the packages do not require an Amazon overbox, or no further preparation from the Amazon team. To see whether packages are eligible for certification, they can be submitted to the Amazon ISTA6 SIOC test, which includes free-fall drop and vibration testing that mirror the potential conditions packages can be subjected to during transit and other supply chain distribution stages.

How can Kite help you with Amazon’s packaging certification?
Our speciality in Kite is our added value service which we offer through our regional distribution centres. We have dedicated teams of packaging engineers who can carry out in-depth testing via audits to ensure maximum protection with minimal packaging. Our In-Box specialists can provide on-site pack cost analysis either in a customer workspace or our mobile packaging test facility, including testing to the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA). We are also the only packaging company to run a compliance scheme for the Packaging Regulations, Kite Environmental Solutions, reinforcing our passionate, proactive approach to the environment.

Do I need the new Amazon packaging certification?

The exclusions
• Any products that contain hazardous materials – i.e. Lithium Ion batteries
• Any items that are a part of Amazon’s Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh

What if I don’t certify my ASINs?
The products that do require certification and do not have any of the exclusions will incur a chargeback fee of £1.50 per unit. It will also mean they are not ready to ship for Amazon, meaning additional packaging could need to be administered, therefore producing more packaging waste and environmental harm.

The benefits of packaging certification
• You can receive a reduction in or no Amazon prep chargeback costs
• You can reduce your packaging waste which reduces your environmental impact
• You are minimising product damages which boosts customer trust and builds your business and consumer relationship

If you want to find out more information about Amazon’s Frustration-Free Packaging and how you can get your packaging ready for certification, contact our packaging experts today – we can bring our packaging expertise directly to your doorstep.