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Medicine Packaging: Navigating Regulations in the UK

Date: January, 2024 | Category: Compliance | Author: Hana Trokic

In the UK healthcare industry, medicine packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficacy and security of not only medical products but of consumers as well. 

Over the years, requirements of UK medicine packaging have undergone significant changes, driven by advancements in technology, changes in consumer expectations and needs, and, most importantly, the ever-evolving stringent regulations imposed by regulatory agencies such as the MHRA.

Understanding and navigating these regulations is essential for medical companies to bring their products to market quickly and securely, and for healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety when prescribing medicine. 

The Early Days of UK Medicine Packaging 

Throughout history, the main role of UK medicine packaging has been to safeguard and conserve the contents of medical products. Glass bottles and vials were commonly used and were typically sealed with cork stoppers. 

These bottles were usually accompanied by simple labels containing essential information. The labels were essentially handwritten instructions and information on paper that would be wrapped around the bottle. Overall, packaging was basic, serving the primary purpose of protecting the medication from external contaminants.

However, as the medical industry advanced, so did the need for standardized and regulated packaging to ensure patient safety and facilitate the administration of medications.

Blister Packs and Pill Bottles

As medicine research advanced, so did the need for more sophisticated packaging. In the mid-20th century, blister packs, the ones we so often see today, emerged as a popular choice. This sealed, foil-based packaging, offered enhanced protection against moisture and air and helped in extending the shelf life of medications. 

Glass bottles were becoming less common as plastic pill bottles became a more popular substitute. They provided a more user-friendly and portable alternative to the old, heavy, and fragile glass bottle.  

The Rise of Regulation in UK Medicine Packaging

While advancements in UK medicine packaging were present throughout the 20th century, the greatest turning point came with the strict implementation of medicine regulations aimed at standardizing the industry. This was due to the fact that traditional UK medicine packaging and the lack of proper guidance and regulation were proving to be greatly limited in ensuring the safety of products and consumers.

Regulatory agencies have been present globally since the beginning of the 20th century, but in the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been at the forefront of setting guidelines to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products since 2003. 

Their main responsibilities include:

  • Ensure safe and effective medicines, medical devices, and blood components
  • Establish a secure supply chain for healthcare products
  • Promote global standardization for the safety and effectiveness of biological medicines
  • Educate the public and healthcare professionals on the risks and benefits of healthcare products for safer use
  • Support innovation and research for public health benefits
  • Collaborate with UK and international partners for early access to safe healthcare products and to safeguard public health

Since its implementation, the United Kingdom has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of UK medicine packaging through its stringent regulatory framework. The MHRA consistently sets forth updated guidelines that govern the packaging of medicine, ensuring safety, efficacy, and adherence to quality standards. 

Labeling Requirements of UK Medicine Packaging 

UK medicine packaging is made up of many different components that are all strictly regulated and controlled to ensure its accuracy and safety for use and consumption. 

One of the most critical aspects of UK medicine packaging is the labeling, or the information provided on labels. Regulations mandate that packaging must include essential details such as the name of the medicine, dosage instructions, expiry date, batch number, and manufacturer information, to name a few. 

Additionally, UK medicine packaging labels often feature critical safety information, such as potential side effects and storage guidelines. The main goal of a label is to ensure that individuals administering or consuming the medication are well-informed about its proper use and potential risks. 

Compliance with labeling regulations not only supports the safe and effective use of medicines but also plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency and accountability within the medical industry. Strict adherence to labeling requirements contributes to the overall goal of ensuring public health by providing users with all the necessary information and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Tamper-Evident Measures

Tamper-evident packaging is described as “having one or more indicators or barriers to entry which, if breached or missing, can reasonably be expected to provide visible evidence to consumers that tampering has occurred.” 

These measures in UK medicine packaging play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and integrity of medical products. The measures are implemented to provide visible signs of interference, making it evident if a package has been tampered with or compromised. 

Common tamper-evident features include seals or bands that are broken or altered when the packaging has been opened. By incorporating these features and measures, UK medicine packaging manufacturers aim to protect consumers from potential tampering, contamination, or unauthorized access to medications. 

Tamper-evident packaging not only serves as an added layer of protection and security but it also builds trust among patients and healthcare professionals, assuring them of the authenticity and safety of the medicine inside a package. This added security measure contributes significantly to maintaining the quality and reliability of medicine products throughout the supply chain, ultimately safeguarding public health. 

Child-Resistant Packaging

Another important addition to UK medicine packaging regulations came in the later half of the 20th century. Child-resistant packaging became a requirement, addressing concerns about accidental ingestions and poisoning of young children. This type of packaging is designed to be difficult for children under the age of five to open, thus reducing the likelihood of unintentional ingestion.

Child-resistant UK medicine packaging was first introduced into the United Kingdom in the mid 1970s but only became standardized in 2001. Since then, a number of different regulations have been put in place, including European and International standards, as well as the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and GHS/CLP, which became fully effective in 2015.

Since its introduction, child-resistant packaging has undergone many changes, not only in increasing resistance to potentially being opened by children but also in optimizing usability for adults. There have been continuous efforts to increase the safety of these products and their packaging with constant new developments in packaging improvements. 

Barcoding and Serialization 

Barcoding and serialization are integral components of modern UK medicine packaging, designed to enhance traceability, authenticity, and overall supply chain security. 

Barcoding involves the assignment of unique identifiers, typically in the form of barcodes, to individual medicine packages. This unique identification enables efficient inventory management, reduces errors in product distribution, and facilitates rapid tracking throughout the supply chain. 

Serialization takes this a step further by assigning a distinct serial number to each medicine unit, allowing for precise tracing of products from manufacturing to distribution to the end-user. These measures not only contribute to streamlined logistics but also play a pivotal role in combating counterfeit medicine and in ensuring patient safety. 

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) 

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in UK medicine packaging represent a set of strict quality standards and guidelines that medicine manufacturers must adhere to in the production of packaging materials and systems. 

GMP regulations ensure that the entire product lifecycle, from development and production to labeling and storage, follows specific protocols aimed at consistently delivering safe and high-quality UK medicine packaging. 

Compliance with GMP standards is crucial for maintaining the integrity of medicines and preventing contamination or defects in the packaging. These practices encompass various aspects, including personnel training, hygiene, documentation, and equipment calibration. 

By adhering to GMP in UK medicine packaging, manufacturers uphold the highest standards of quality assurance, contributing to the safety and efficacy of medical products and reinforcing the trust of healthcare professionals and consumers in the integrity of the overall medicine supply chain.

Environmental Sustainability

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability in UK medicine packaging. Regulatory agencies are encouraging medical companies to adopt eco-friendly packaging solutions, reducing the environmental impact of the industry. 

Manufacturers increasingly focus on adopting eco-friendly practices and materials to minimize their carbon footprint. This includes exploring recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable packaging options and optimizing packaging designs to reduce material usage. 

Additionally, efforts are being made to enhance energy efficiency in the production processes and choose environmentally responsible printing inks and coatings. The aim is to strike a balance between ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products while minimizing the environmental impact associated with their packaging. 

By embracing sustainable practices, the medical industry not only aligns itself with global environmental goals but also responds to the growing demand from environmentally conscious consumers.

Smart Packaging and Technological Integration

UK medicine packaging in the 21st century vastly differs from the packaging used over a hundred years ago. In recent years, technological advancements have revolutionized UK medicine packaging, with smart packaging becoming the newest trend in the industry.  

Smart packaging refers to the emerging technologies within the packaging industry that increase consumer and business utility alike, all while simultaneously increasing the simplicity of accessing and tracking the information surrounding products and companies.

This packaging is equipped with features like temperature monitoring, NFC (Near Field Communication) tags, QR codes, and interactive labels. These innovations not only ensure the integrity of the medication but also empower patients with information and enhance overall healthcare management.

Innovation in UK Medicine Packaging – Automated Proofreading 

As the accuracy of all packaging content is of extreme importance, technological solutions that ensure packaging integrity are also increasing in popularity. Automated proofreading is one of those innovative solutions in UK medicine packaging. 

Automated proofreading aids in maintaining packaging accuracy by inspecting all types of regulatory content that would be present on UK medicine packaging. It helps companies uphold packaging and manufacturing standards with greater ease and efficiency, ensuring compliance with UK medicine standards and beyond. This technological innovation provides better proofreading results and enables higher-quality UK medicine packaging as it acts as an added layer of security in quality assurance processes.  

In essence, automated proofreading works by comparing two documents to find discrepancies between the two. The innovative software conducts comprehensive inspections and proofreads all packaging assets from text, color, graphics, barcodes, braille, and more. 

Through automated proofreading, inspections of packaging components are completed exponentially faster than traditional proofreading, and a task that once took hours or days to complete is now reduced to only a few minutes.

Benefits of Automated Proofreading 

Automated proofreading plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and compliance of UK medicine packaging. Some ways in which automated proofreading helps in UK medicine packaging includes:

  • Error Detection: Automated proofreading quickly detects all potential errors on UK medicine packaging, ensuring the complete accuracy and quality of a product. This is not only important for regulatory compliance, it is also crucial for patient safety, as clear and error-free packaging guarantees critical medicine information such as ingredients, dosages, expiry dates, etc., are being accurately portrayed, preventing potential life-threatening consequences and ensuring patient and user health. 
  • Consistency Checking: Automated proofreading can verify consistency in terms of terminology, dosage information, and instructions across different sections of the packaging. Consistent information helps prevent confusion among healthcare professionals and patients.
  • Regulatory Compliance: UK medicine packaging must adhere to strict regulatory requirements, including specific language and formatting. Automated proofreading helps ensure that the packaging content complies with these regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance issues, including fines, product recalls, and legal actions.
  • Efficiency and Speed: Automated proofreading significantly speeds up the proofreading process compared to manual methods. This efficiency is particularly beneficial in the fast-paced pharmaceutical industry, where accurate and timely product releases are critical.
  • Version Control: Automated proofreading tools can help manage version control, ensuring that the correct and most up-to-date information is included on UK medicine packaging. This is crucial for avoiding mistakes associated with outdated content.
  • Consistent Branding: For medical companies with multiple products, maintaining consistent branding across packaging materials is essential for brand recognition and trust. Automated proofreading tools contribute to ensuring this consistency.

By leveraging automated proofreading in medicine packaging, companies in the industry can improve the overall accuracy, quality, and compliance of their packaging. This not only increases patient safety but also helps maintain the integrity of medical products. 

Customer Case Study: Automated Proofreading For Error-Free Medicine Packaging 

Prior to implementing GlobalVision, all materials at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Shanghai were manually reviewed by their Quality Control department. Manually proofreading each packaging component often took too long and was too reliant on the SASS Project Manager. As they only relied on the human eye to catch errors, the risk of faulty inspections was high. 

For a major pharmaceutical company such as BMS, letting a critical packaging error slip by could have damaging effects on its reputation. It may also result in reprints or recalls which can impose huge costs on the business. Worse, it can cause potential consumer harm if these packaging errors made it to market. 

The BMS Quality Control Department uses GlobalVision to inspect incoming packaging materials such as cartons. Batch by batch, the packaging is compared to the approved samples to catch any differences between the two. As a result of the automation, the Quality Control  Department has found that its revisions could be completed faster and more effectively. 

Through the implementation of GlobalVision, BMS Shanghai increased its level of efficiency and accuracy, further aligning its commitment to quality when it comes to both packaging and patients.

The Future of UK Medicine Packaging

The transformation of UK medicine packaging throughout the years has been shaped by dynamic factors such as evolving regulations, changing consumer needs, technological advancements, and a heightened emphasis on safety and responsibility. 

The industry, from basic glass bottles to cutting-edge smart packaging, has consistently adapted to meet contemporary demands, with the MHRA playing a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing these standards.

Each advancement in the industry shows a commitment to ensuring the highest quality and safety standards. Notably, the integration of technological solutions, including automated proofreading tools, emphasizes this commitment by improving accuracy and safeguarding packaging and, by default, healthcare professionals and consumers alike. 

Automated proofreading serves as a comprehensive solution that not only streamlines quality assurance processes but also facilitates accuracy and compliance for UK medicine packaging manufacturers and beyond.

To experience the transformative power of automated proofreading, request a demo of our innovative software and witness firsthand how this technology can revolutionize your daily business practices.

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Revolutionizing Braille Inspection: Introducing the Upgraded GVD Braille Module

Revolutionizing Braille Inspection: Introducing the GVD Braille Module

Date: December, 2023 | Category: Compliance | Author: Hana Trokic

In regulated industries, where adherence to standards and accessibility is crucial, Braille is a vital component of any product’s packaging or labeling to foster compliance and inclusivity.  

Braille, a universally accepted system of writing designed for individuals with visual impairments, is critical in ensuring that information, particularly in industries subject to strict regulations such as pharmaceuticals, is universally accessible. 

This code not only empowers individuals with visual disabilities by providing them with independent access to written content, but it also aligns with non-discrimination principles mandated by regulatory agencies. 

From a quality control perspective, Braille Inspection and accuracy play an important role as Braille is mandatory on pharmaceutical packaging all across Europe, and is strongly recommended by the FDA in Western markets, while other regions such as the ASEAN markets are working to heighten inclusivity by implementing braille requirements on packaging soon.

For regulatory industries to ensure the complete accuracy of their products, they need to ensure comprehensive revisions and inspections of their content. This includes text, graphics, barcodes, colors, and of course, braille for an all-encompassing quality control process. One way to ensure this accuracy is through modern-day technological solutions and innovations that ease these critical yet demanding revision tasks.

The New GVD Braille Module

One such innovation that stands out for compliance reviews is the newest upgrade from GlobalVision—the GVD Braille Module. This new braille inspection technology sets a new standard for fast, accurate, and comprehensive braille inspections. 

The GVD Braille Module allows regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals and print and packaging to automate braille height inspections with unparalleled granularity and speed, providing braille compliance data for each individual braille dot. This market-disrupting product brings unprecedented braille height detail, as well as meticulous braille translations to ensure complete accuracy and compliance with industry regulations across all printed assets.

This advanced technology is not just an upgrade in compliance inspections, it’s a breakthrough in braille inspection.

Here’s what to look forward to with the newest GVD Braille Module:

  • 10x faster inspections compared to traditional softwares
    • Example: DotScan on average takes 50 mins to complete a full Press sheet Braille inspection, while GlobalVision completes in less than 4 minutes with 2X the accuracy.
  • Eliminates the need for multiple systems, cutting costs and streamlining operations with all braille inspection features embedded within the robust GVD platform
  • Ensures braille labeling compliance with Marburg Medium Font Standard and ISO for medical products, preventing regulatory issues
  • Global scalability by inspecting braille translations in 44 languages 
  • Enhances braille inspections with detailed reporting on each individual braille dot across all regions, including multi-panel areas

Unmatched Braille Inspection Speed and Precision

With 10X faster braille height inspections and the support of full-size press sheets, GlobalVision’s newest automation technology surpasses the traditional DotScan software and all other competitors on the market. Printing & packaging and pharmaceutical companies can now expect to automate braille inspections with granularity and speed that was previously not possible. 

The technology not only accelerates the inspection process but also ensures unparalleled precision, reducing the risk of oversights. Beyond heightened efficiency, the increased automation of the entire compliance inspection process allows organizations to redirect resources to more strategic tasks, fostering innovation and growth internally. 

GlobalVision’s braille inspection technology redefines industry standards by combining speed and granularity, transforming compliance inspections into a faster, more comprehensive and accurate process.

Save Resources and Eliminate Unnecessary Overhead

With this new release, all braille inspection features are embedded within the robust GVD platform. This allows companies in regulatory industries to save money and resources by eliminating the need and overhead of managing multiple systems. 

The GVD Braille Module consolidates all packaging quality control processes as it is fully embedded within the robust GVD system, allowing for text, graphics, barcode inspections and more, rendering the use of a separate system obsolete.

This upgrade ensures that every aspect of your quality control process can be seamlessly executed within a single platform. The efficiency gains are unmatched, as companies can now navigate the entire process, including the previously tedious braille inspection, with speed and precision, while simplifying their workflows and enhancing overall productivity. 

This innovation not only streamlines operations but also positions the GVD Braille Module as an industry leader, offering unparalleled ease and efficiency to the market. 

Ensure Adherence to Compliance Regulations

For regulated companies, the need to adhere to strict guidelines and requirements is critical. GlobalVision’s latest advancement in braille inspection technology represents a crucial upgrade in addressing this concern by guaranteeing ongoing braille compliance with the Marburg Medium Font Standard as well as the ISO 17351:2013  requirements for braille labeling on medicinal products. 

This upgrade not only ensures precision and accuracy in braille, but, more importantly, serves as a proactive measure to prevent potential regulatory sanctions. By aligning seamlessly with established standards, this technology provides regulatory companies with the assurance that their braille labeling processes are not only efficient but also in strict accordance with mandated guidelines, protecting against potential legal and regulatory penalties. 

Global Scalability

The GVD Braille Module isn’t confined to a specific language or region. It scales globally, inspecting braille translations in an impressive 44 languages against a master file. This global scalability ensures that the technology is not only cutting-edge but also inclusive and diverse, catering to the many linguistic needs of multinational enterprises. 

By accommodating such a wide linguistic range, the GVD Braille Module becomes a versatile tool that addresses the diverse needs of companies worldwide, acting as a positive lever toward their global expansion strategies. 

Detailed Reports and Compliance Data

One of the standout features of the GVD Braille Module is its ability to provide you with highly detailed reports for each braille dot across all regions, ensuring that every single dot meets regulatory standards.

The GVD Braille Module allows you to achieve unprecedented granularity in braille inspections with in-depth reporting for each individual braille dot across all braille regions, including multi-panel regions. This means the software goes beyond basic inspection data and provides a level of inspection scrutiny unparalleled in today’s market. 

 

The Future of Braille Inspection

In an era where technology and automation is the driving force behind progress, the GVD Braille Module stands out as a revolutionary solution in the field of braille inspection. This comprehensive solution surpasses all previous inspection systems and doesn’t just meet industry standards but sets a new benchmark for efficiency and accuracy. 

As industries strive for greater innovation in technological solutions, the GVD Braille Module allows you to overcome all previous inspection limitations and embrace new technology that improves the entire quality control process. 

GVD Braille Module is not just an upgrade, it’s a revolution in braille inspection. To try the new standard in braille inspection yourself, book a personalized braille demo and begin revolutionizing your compliance inspections today.

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Dempsey Corporation Transforms the Label Review Process with GlobalVision

Date: November, 2023 | Category: Customers | Author: Hana Trokic

About Dempsey Corporation

With over 35 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, the Beauty Division of Dempsey Corporation understands the complex needs of customers when it comes to product development, sourcing, quality assurance, and logistics. 

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Dempsey’s Beauty Division is a private label that produces an array of products under common retail brand names. With a commitment to going above and beyond for their customers, Dempsey recognizes the importance of a strong quality control process.

Today, Dempsey is represented by a diverse group of international experts based in five countries with the one main goal of delivering value. 

The Challenge: Ensuring Accuracy of Large, Complex Files 

Prior to implementing digital quality control, the company was outsourcing specific elements of the label review process. Numerous label versions were created with label workflows interchanging between internal teams, clients, and packaging producers. 

For Dempsey Beauty’s quality assurance team, this led to difficulties in managing approvals, especially with regard to ensuring that all teams were using the most recent and relevant version of a file. 

What’s more, with product labels containing large ingredient lists which are very text-heavy, manual proofreading became increasingly difficult, especially when the team started succumbing to proofreading fatigue, occasionally missing some content errors as their eyes started to adapt to the content. Ultimately, these errors often resulted in financial losses as well as reputational damage.

Before implementing GlobalVision, the majority of proofreading fell into the hands of one person to review labels at the regulatory and quality assurance levels. This created a vulnerable and risk-prone step in their process, as the onus fell on the proofreader – a single person who mainly relied on the human eye for quality control. 

To help reduce the risk of human error and assure the accuracy of their large volume of labels and content, Dempsey decided a change was needed in their quality control process to ensure  the credibility and accuracy of their products, and maintain their position as a leader and household name in the beauty industry. 

The Solution: Replace Error-Prone Label Review Processes with Accurate Automated Solutions

After exploring various solutions on the market, Dempsey Corporation made the decision to  incorporate GlobalVision into their quality control processes to eliminate errors and fatigue caused by manual proofreading. 

They decided to implement this automated solution as an additional layer of review, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to focus more efforts on other important  areas of quality assurance. 

Additionally, Dempsey’s Beauty Division wanted to improve their market position and stand out against competitors, and they felt that implementing GlobalVision would contribute to their success in this area. “It’s the gold standard of quality assurance, to be able to assess a label with the same level of scrutiny regardless of the number of labels there are and how tired your eyes might be,” says Charles Inthathirath, the Quality Assurance Manager at Dempsey’s Beauty Division.

The Result: Increased Productivity With GlobalVision’s Automated Software 

After implementing GlobalVision’s Quality Inspection Platform, the company has benefited from significant time-savings along the entire quality control process. In high season, Dempsey’s quality department can use the GlobalVision software to replace half a day’s worth of label reviews, allowing them to review more labels in a shorter time period. 

When it comes to replenishing inventory in the production phase, having GlobalVision has been a huge help in approving labels that are in queue for print.

Aside from accelerating text-heavy reviews, the quality team appreciates GlobalVision’s barcode inspection tool, especially the human-readable value and grade provided by the software, which allows them to ensure that barcodes are always compliant with industry regulations before they go to print. . “Overall, the software is great! We also appreciate the extra training available to us,” says Inthathirath. 

They’ve been able to measure the success of implementing GlobalVision by measuring their productivity levels. With GlobalVision in place to help improve the efficiency of their  label review process, the quality department has been able to allocate resources to other areas of quality assurance and they’ve seen an increase in efficiency across the board.

Looking Ahead with GlobalVision

As they look towards the future, the company sees itself moving forward by expanding their beauty line to include eye products while also pushing towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging. 

Going above and beyond to meet and exceed the needs of their customers will always be top priority for Dempsey’s Beauty Division. That is why they continue to use GlobalVision in their label reviews to ensure the complete accuracy, credibility and quality of every product that goes out to the market. 

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A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Packaging

A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Packaging

Date: November, 2023 | Category: Quality | Author: Hana Trokic

While “going green” may be a proud point for many businesses in this day and age, in the world of packaging and design, it’s not necessarily going far enough. Instead, it’s all about being sustainable. 

However, true sustainability doesn’t just take into account the materials that go into packaging. True sustainability also considers potential waste during the production process. When introducing end-to-end sustainability, businesses need to look back to the very beginning, to the point where the packaging is designed and then approved.

It is important to note that the packaging approval process can result in many rounds of revisions until everything is ready for production. The result can create wasted resources if your process isn’t as tight as possible, even if the packaging itself is 100% sustainable.

As a result, significant resources get wasted when mistakes slip through your supply-chain cracks. Avoidable errors can result in recalls leading to heaps of wasted packaging that have no value. For perspective, in 2015 alone, 77.9 million tons of municipal solid waste generated in the United States consisted of containers and packaging. Over one-third of that total ended up in landfills.

Read on to discover how to create truly sustainable packaging and processes for your business.

What Is Sustainable Packaging?

While a product that’s labeled as “green” carries a positive, eco-friendly connotation, it’s vague by standards set by the Federal Trade Commission. 

For example, “green” generally means one or some combination of the following:

  • Compostable
  • Degradable
  • Non-toxic
  • Ozone-safe/ friendly
  • Recyclable
  • Made from recycled content
  • Made with renewable energy
  • Made with renewable materials
  • Refillable

“Green” may sound satisfactory, but each of the above actually conveys something tangible. According to Diana Fryc, Director of Operation of Retail Voodoo, using compostable packaging is just one step.

“Aside from compostable packaging, there is still a strong desire to reduce the size of packages, continued desire to use fewer adhesives, and continued use of the post-consumer recycled material,” she says. “Lighter materials to save on shipping costs and form factors that maximize shelf space bottles will also continue.”

In fact, packaging that’s “sustainable” is understood to meet a long list of specific criteria, featuring many of those same characteristics. To further illustrate this point, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition has developed its own criteria for what defines sustainable packaging:

  • Sourced from materials that each remain healthy throughout the lifecycle
  • Manufactured using clean technologies and best practices, to optimize materials and energy, thereby meeting/exceeding competitive performance and cost standards
  • Transported efficiently via fossil fuel alternatives, helping to develop renewable energy markets
  • Recycled, recovered, and utilized in closed biological/ industrial loop cycles

Of course, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Consumer Goods Forum, and CEN all have alternative packaging standards. So, globally speaking, there aren’t any hard, fast rules for what constitutes sustainable packaging. There are, however, certain guidelines. 

Following them is far from easy, but this guide will help you understand the basics as you maneuver through the complex world of sustainable packaging and its implementation. 

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Ultimately, by introducing sustainable packaging into your supply chain, businesses are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint as a whole. This includes securing product packaging workflow through effective quality control. 

Preventing recalls by catching errors means less packaging, less waste, and therefore, a lot less energy consumed. After all, the resources needed to carry out recalls, which cost on average $10 million in the food industry, don’t include the transportation and labor costs of putting more packaging through your supply chain and re-shipping the product. It all affects your bottom line and the packaging footprint you’re trying to market as sustainable.

Therefore, it’s time to start looking beyond the product and at the complete end-to-end process. Many companies are integrating new technologies and automated systems that can spot errors before going to print as a pre-emptive strike against recalls. The main goal is to address sustainability, as it’s important to consider how products are made and how to be as efficient as possible with the resources available.

It turns out the idea that integrating sustainable packaging leads to higher costs is actually a myth. Studies show that companies that look to become more eco-friendly overall enjoy as much as an 18% return on investment increase. That’s potentially a lot of green for going green.

Have you heard about footprint packaging? Learn more by reading our detailed blog post. 

The Need for Sustainable Packaging

There’s little denying the benefits of sustainable packaging. There are financial benefits in store for any corporation moving in that direction. That’s not just due to the increased back-end efficiency and economies of scale that result from such a move. 

If marketed correctly, sustainably packaged products have been proven likely to sell more.

Obviously, a company shouldn’t make the switch simply to appease its conscience. All things being equal, it just makes sense to waste less and promote a brighter future filled with less waste. 

“Packaging is a polluting factor” says Andreas Kioroglou, the CEO of Matador Design. “Creative design will [start to] take into account factors like the reduction of the carbon footprint of packaged goods throughout the supply chain and designs that will extend the packaging life cycle.”

Read what more experts are saying about sustainable packaging here.

Over the long term, it is expected that sustainable packaging solutions will lead to higher profits relative to one’s current process. The only thing holding companies back is the inevitable, albeit short, discomfort that results from transitioning to a new and improved process.

Implementing Sustainable Packaging

Packaging plays a crucial role in influencing customers’ buying behavior, yet unsustainable packaging can damage the reputation of a company, causing customers to switch to other brands that employ environment-friendly materials and processes. 

Implementing Sustainable Packaging

Unsustainable packaging is detrimental to the environment as it increases the amount of waste that is diverted to landfills, causing increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable packaging can reduce our ecological footprint at all stages of the product life-cycle, helping the manufacturer and the customer work towards a sustainable future.

With sustainability being the major agenda for almost all countries around the globe, several organizations are introducing sustainable packaging in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment and differentiate themselves from the competition. 

However, the industry is not devoid of misconceptions that could cause confusion, making it challenging for organizations to work toward a sustainable future.

Sustainable Packaging Is An Added Cost

It is a common belief that a majority of product improvements come with a high price tag. Though the cost of sustainable packaging may seem to be high initially, it offers numerous benefits that contribute to the long-term success of a business. Moreover, socially responsible businesses incorporate the extra cost of sustainable packaging as a part of their business plan, assuring them of profits in the long term.

Adopting sustainable or green packaging enables marketers to connect with their eco-conscious and green-aware consumers, giving them a competitive advantage and boosting profits. In fact, studies conducted by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) prove that organizations that adopt eco-friendly materials and processes are likely to see a return on investment of 18 percent or more.

Apart from attracting new customers and boosting your corporate image as an environmentally-responsible organization, sustainable packaging also offers innovative designs that can be tailored to the clients’ specific requirements.

For instance, waste can be recycled using the paper molding process and converted into customized packaging in order to meet the firm’s requirements for heavy and delicate products at an extremely affordable rate. All this eliminates excessive packaging, making the shipments light and drastically reducing the products’ footprints on the store shelves.

Additionally, in recent times, brands cannot afford to ignore eco-friendly strategies. Consumers increasingly prefer products that protect the environment, reduce global warming, and prevent air and water pollution. 

Consequently, both emerging and advanced markets are drifting towards ethical and environment-friendly options, pushing designers, marketers, and package development experts to meet the right social and environmental standards.

Most countries also offer special subsidies and incentives for businesses that are looking to join the sustainability bandwagon. Moreover, firms going the sustainable way also enjoy preferential terms and tax rebates from the state and local authorities for setting up an environment-friendly business.

Thus, green packaging actually stands to save money by reducing material and shipping costs and minimizing waste, playing a persuasive role in helping customers choose your brand over the competition.

Sustainable Packaging Choices are Limited

With the growing concern regarding waste being diverted to landfills and the ensuing greenhouse emissions, customers are expecting firms to use eco-friendly elements in their products. 

Consequently, packaging firms have come up with several innovative and green materials, namely polylactic acid (PLA), bagasse, recycled paper, and post-consumer polystyrene that can be used to manufacture coffee cups, plates, cutlery, and boxes.

For instance, Evocative, a New York-based biomaterials firm developed a mushroom-based material that can be used as an alternative to plastic packaging. Similarly, Biopac, a UK-based bioplastic developer uses polylactic acid (PLA) from renewable plant sources to manufacture compostable cups and food packaging.

Sustainable Packaging Adds to Waste

Sustainable packaging is not merely about the eco-friendly nature of the final product. Instead, it means that the packaging material is made from biodegradable, reusable, and environmentally-safe matter and uses energy-efficient manufacturing procedures and health-friendly working conditions for the staff involved.

Sustainable packaging helps firms streamline the packaging design, eliminating unnecessary material from the processes and creating less packaging-related waste. Materials such as biodegradable plastics, plant-based plastics, and recycled products are used to develop sustainable packaging, making it possible for manufacturers and consumers to reduce the amount of waste being diverted to landfills and the ocean floor. 

For instance, molded fiber products, namely egg trays, fruit-and-vegetable trays, compostable plant holders, and wine shippers are made using biodegradable waste procured from recycling companies and individual households.

Sustainable Packaging is Unappealing to Consumers

Most commonly, when people think of sustainable packaging they envisage a dull brown or cream paper with visible reused fibers. However, technology has made it possible for design firms to come up with innovative packaging that harnesses powerful aesthetics and is environment-friendly at the same time. 

Many international brands and powerhouses such as Samsung, Zara, and Puma offer attractive packaging yet use 100 percent eco-friendly material, preserving the planet and its natural resources.

Want to learn more about sustainable packaging myths? Click here to read our in-depth blog post.  

Transitioning to Sustainable Packaging

While some companies are already fully onboard the sustainable packaging bandwagon, others are either on route to making the transition or have yet to make a firm decision on the matter.

For the companies already in existence, it’s about altering the course. Once you’ve committed to making the leap, it’s important to determine your ultimate goals. While the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s criteria favor a circular economy (or closed loop, which relies on renewable energy), it’s by no means the only choice.

Another is to develop packaging with a linear lifecycle. There, packaging ultimately ends up as trash instead of biologically degrading. It can also be considered eco-efficient, depending on other production factors. It also means bigger short-term gains. The closed loop means more risk and long-term investment, but a higher potential payoff through legitimately sustainable packaging.

Here are some tips to help execute a proper sustainability strategy:

  • Get buy-in: Empower employees to take charge and get more emotionally invested in the outcome of the change in strategy. Businesses can also get buy-in from the public. Communicate the change in your corporate philosophy. Done right, it can only improve your image as a forward-thinking company.
  • Choose the right materials: It goes beyond selecting materials that are recyclable or even materials that are renewable. While renewable feedstocks are one sustainable direction in which to go, there are other things to consider. For example, how their functionality compares to that of traditional materials. “Sustainable” is great, but it means little if the packaging doesn’t do what it needs to.
  • Get to designing: It will be a long process, but thoroughly evaluating each required packaging component will go a long way toward ensuring an overall sustainable design. Simple ones, made from single materials without secondary and tertiary packaging, are easily disassembled and recyclable. That also means minimal glue when possible. Creating packaging that is reusable and multi-functional also wins market points from a sustainability perspective and with consumers.
  • Invest in quality control: Quality control processes are critical, especially when rolling out dramatically different packaging that can contribute to product spoilage. Automating quality control and eliminating proofing fatigue, human error, and errors in general, can also contribute to long-term sustainability.

Automation to Sustainability 

Automated quality control tools are indispensable assets for businesses striving to enhance their sustainable packaging processes. These tools, driven by cutting-edge technology offer multifaceted advantages that extend far beyond mere error correction. 

In the context of sustainable packaging, precision is paramount. This software meticulously scans through all packaging-related content, including labels, product descriptions, usage instructions, and promotional materials, ensuring that they are free from spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. By maintaining a high standard of accuracy, businesses reduce the likelihood of recalls, reprints, and costly product corrections, directly contributing to a more efficient and eco-friendly production process.

Automation to Sustainability

By preventing errors, reducing rework, and promoting sustainability, automated proofreading software helps minimize waste in the production process and optimize resource utilization. They aid in curbing the overuse of materials and energy while contributing to the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with packaging. 

In the eyes of environmentally-conscious consumers, these efforts resonate as a genuine commitment to sustainability, ultimately enhancing a company’s brand reputation and its competitiveness in the market.

Automated quality control is not just about catching typos; it’s a vital enabler in a business’s journey toward sustainable packaging. The software streamlines operations, reduces costs, encourages green thinking, and helps businesses establish themselves as responsible actors in environmental protection and sustainability.  

As sustainable packaging gains increasing importance in today’s eco-conscious world, this technological solution is becoming an indispensable instrument for companies committed to both excellence and environmental consciousness. 

A Sustainable Future 

The global packaging and protective packaging market was valued at $1.0 trillion in 2021, and is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2031, which would result from steady year-over-year growth.

Innovation will logically end up being one driver of that valuation, just as it is currently in the manufactured goods sectors directly reliant on it. That’s simply the nature of a free-market economy in which consumers reward the cutting-edge.

As a result, it’s no longer a matter of going green. It’s arguably not even about going sustainable. It’s about striving to reach sustainability. As the exact definition of “sustainable” is a fast and moving target, it’s more a matter of taking steps towards attaining that goal.

In a period of just three years, the number of firms listed on the S&P 500 that included sustainability issues in their Securities and Exchange Commission filings increased from 5% to 25%. That in and of itself may not be a testament to how successful sustainability can be, but it is of how the times are becoming more eco-friendly.

A sustainable future

Joining in on the success means changing with the times, or, perhaps more accurately, adapting. Both customers and the companies behind the products they consume stand to benefit from the large-scale evolution of packaging, which is taking place right before our eyes.

If you would like to take a step into implementing sustainable packaging into your business, start by implementing smart, technological solutions that can easily help you get there. Automated quality control is a comprehensive solution that will not only streamline your proofreading and quality assurance processes, it will also help your business achieve true sustainability with far greater ease. 

Request a demo of our innovative proofreading software and see how this technology can revolutionize your every day, sustainable business practices. 

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How Document Comparison Software Improves Customer Experiences and Builds Trust

How Document Comparison Software Improves Customer Experiences and Builds Trust

Date: November, 2023 | Category: Quality | Author: Hana Trokic

Imagine you are walking down the aisle at the drugstore and see a product that catches your eye. You pick it up to learn more about it only to find errors and inconsistencies on the packaging and labeling. How would you feel about the product? Would you trust that a company, that has so hastily brought this product to market, could actually produce effective and quality products?

Most likely, your interest in that product would completely diminish. What’s more, you most likely wouldn’t see yourself buying anything from that company and would question the legitimacy of its products.

This is because that one negative experience with that one product has led you to question your trust in the company and its whole production.  

Businesses constantly seek ways to enhance customer experiences and build trust with their clients. With many different approaches, methods, and platforms to help them achieve their goal, technological solutions have emerged as a powerful tool that can significantly transform how organizations operate and interact with their customers.

Document comparison software is one of those powerful tools that helps ensure the accuracy of all products that go out to market – from the inside out! 

Read on to explore how document comparison software is pivotal in revolutionizing customer experiences and fostering trust and brand loyalty. 

The Significance of Customer Experience and Trust

Customer Experience is defined as a positive customer experience and is the foundation of customer loyalty. When customers have smooth, hassle-free interactions with a brand, they are likelier to return and recommend the company to others. Customer experience encompasses all touchpoints and interactions a customer has with a business, including communication, service, and product quality.

Continuous positive experiences with a brand lead to trust and, ultimately, brand loyalty. Trust is critical to any successful business relationship, as customers need to trust that a certain company and brand will deliver on its promises, protect their data, and provide value. Trust is earned through consistent, transparent, and reliable interactions.

Building Customer Trust with Document Comparison Software

Document comparison software, a crucial software for regulated industries that deals with critical content, has been found to also be extremely beneficial in other sectors due to its transformative impact on customer experiences and trust-building. 

Here’s how this technology helps businesses achieve customer success:  

Optimizes the Revision Process 

Ensuring the accuracy of a product and its documentation is the first step to ensuring you are releasing a product that consumers will trust. This all happens during the revision stage of the product life cycle. 

Document comparison software meticulously analyzes multiple versions of documents, and provides a comprehensive view of differences between files. This level of scrutiny ensures that errors are caught early, and inconsistencies are swiftly rectified. 

The automated nature of document comparison software expedites the revision process, reducing the need for time-consuming manual inspections. Moreover, it facilitates collaboration among team members, allowing them to work concurrently on revisions while keeping track of all modifications. 

As a result, organizations can streamline their revision processes, increase productivity, and maintain document accuracy and consistency, ultimately saving time and resources to pursue higher-quality outcomes.

Ensuring Accuracy and Reliability

Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to customer frustration and erode trust. Document comparison software ensures that all customer-facing content, such as packaging, labeling, marketing materials, and other critical documentation is accurate and can be updated accordingly with complete ease, without potential errors slipping through. 

The use of document comparison software in quality assurance processes results in the reduction of errors and inconsistencies, and ultimately, reduces the potential for misinformation or miscommunication which could potentially foster mistrust in a company’s image.

Brings Trusted Products to Market Faster

The modern, fast-paced, global market leads consumers to expecting quick product releases, response to demand, and extremely fast service. Document comparison software accelerates document review and approval processes, enabling businesses to meet customer demands with speed and efficiency. 

By automatically detecting and highlighting differences between various versions of crucial documents, the software helps minimize errors and streamlines the review and approval process, reducing the need for time-consuming manual checks. 

Consequently, teams can make informed decisions swiftly, resolve discrepancies efficiently, and maintain compliance with industry standards, ultimately accelerating the product development cycle. In doing so, document comparison software not only enhances productivity but also instills confidence in the market, assuring consumers of the quality and reliability of the products they receive.

Document Comparison Software in the Real-World 

Document comparison software is an extremely valuable platform for regulated industries that need to ensure the complete accuracy of their products. However, it also benefits a wide range of industries that want to ensure a positive consumer experience and build a strong and trusted brand. 

Here is how document comparison software can benefit certain sectors:

  • Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: It is estimated that over 50% of medication use errors are associated with poor labels. With such a high risk of error, pharmaceutical companies turn to document comparison tools to check sensitive documentation from how-to-use instructions, dosages, labels, and more. The software identifies discrepancies between versions, reducing the risk of compliance issues and regulatory fines. Moreover, this market is extremely fast-paced where time-to-market is crucial. Document comparison software expedites the review and approval process, allowing for faster decision-making and shorter time-to-market for new drugs and therapies.

  • Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG): Much like pharmaceuticals, CPG companies work with highly regulated documentation where accuracy is paramount. Document comparison software ensures content such as packaging and product labeling compliance by meticulously inspecting ingredient lists, nutritional information, warning labels, and more. Moreover, in a highly competitive industry like CPG, it helps maintain brand consistency by ensuring that packaging and marketing materials remain uniform across product lines and geographic regions.
  • Marketing and Advertising: Marketing agencies often work on multiple iterations of content for campaigns, websites, and collateral. Document comparison software helps ensure consistency in messaging, branding, and design by quickly identifying any discrepancies between versions, minimizing the risk of errors in client deliverables and ultimately materials that go to print. Also, By automating the process, agencies save time that would otherwise be spent on manual proofreading and revisions. This efficiency not only reduces costs but also allows agencies to meet tight deadlines more effectively.

Ready to Strengthen Your Brand? 

Document comparison software is no longer just a niche tool; it’s a critical asset for any business looking to transform customer experiences and build trust. By promoting accuracy, streamlining communication, and optimizing processes, document comparison software empowers businesses to provide superior customer experiences that lead to long-lasting trust and loyalty. Embracing this technology is a strategic move for companies aiming to thrive in the digital age, where customer expectations are higher than ever before.

Looking to guarantee the trustworthiness of your brand? Take the first steps towards flawless customer experiences using GlobalVision’s state-of-the-art document comparison software. Begin experiencing the advantages of our cutting-edge software today.

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An Introduction to Automated Quality Control

An Introduction to Automated Quality Control

Date: August, 2023 | Category: Quality | Author: Hana Trokic

Terms like “audit,” “inspection,” and “quality control” are prevalent in any manufacturing business. The first one refers to analyzing manufacturing organizations and processes, whereas the second and third refer to any product-checking activity.

Generally, quality inspectors do this by following a pre-established list based on certain product specifications. In fact, any type of product can be inspected, starting with just the components used for the product to semi-finished ones and (most often) the finished product itself.

According to the ISO 2859 standard – which is derived from MIL-STD 105 E – quality inspection involves activities such as testing, gauging, examining, or measuring one or more product characteristics. 

These quality inspections are usually extremely time-consuming and tedious processes that leave little room for error, due to their critical nature of ensuring product quality and safety. 

Thankfully, automated quality control is a cutting-edge technological approach that revolutionizes the way industries ensure product excellence, utilizing advanced systems and algorithms to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency throughout the manufacturing revision processes. 

Want to learn more about automation, proofreading, and quality control? Read more content from GlobalVision here!

Quality Inspections – Getting Started Early 

Quality inspections in any product lifecycle should begin early. 

Starting quality inspections early in the product development lifecycle is essential to minimize errors that may arise during any stage of manufacturing, including development, production, and delivery.

This is a critical concept for product developers since identifying and addressing errors as early as possible can help reduce costs significantly. 

Various studies have shown that there is a 1:10:100 cost/time ratio among the three manufacturing categories. This means that identifying and correcting a mistake during production is likely to cost ten times more, both in terms of time and money, then if it were caught during development.

Following the same ratio, an error will then cost 100 times more to fix if it actually reaches consumers. That’s why applying quality inspection at the end of the production line is a risky move that few major companies dare to take. Big, organized, and customer-oriented companies are now focusing on inspecting earlier to prevent catastrophic consequences and save resources.

Automated Quality Control as a Solution

In order to lower the risk of errors slipping through in all stages of the quality control process, businesses are turning to technology to increase the accuracy of their inspections. Automated quality control is a comprehensive solution that not only allows all differences and errors to be found in critical content, it also speeds up inspections saving businesses time and money. 

Businesses can use automated quality control to conduct digital inspections on both hardcopy samples and digital files. This eliminates the need for manual proofreading. By using automated quality control, users can compare sample files to approved content automatically and detect any discrepancies between the two immediately.

The role of automated quality control consists of both speeding up the proofreading process and improving the accuracy of content. To learn more about automated quality control read our detailed blog post here.

How Automated Quality Control Gets Products to Market Faster

Automated quality control technology helps businesses get products to market faster without compromising quality. By automating manual tasks that would otherwise take hours to complete, this technology speeds up the entire quality control process and significantly cuts down proofreading time. In turn, errors can be detected quickly and accurately as inefficiencies like fatigue and human error are eliminated.

Some benefits of implementing automation technology in your business’ quality control process include: 

Time benefits of automated quality control

  • Eliminates hours spent searching content for errors
  • Inspects files in seconds compared to hours spent manually proofreading
  • Automatically detect all types of errors at any stage of the process
  • Achieve faster turnaround times by accelerating approvals and reducing quality delays

Efficiency benefits of automated quality control

  • Easily compare two files to detect any differences between the two
  • Identify any touchpoints within your business that are prone to errors
  • Utilize time usually spent on proofreading to bring jobs to market faster

To find out more about how automated quality control speeds up product time to market, read our blog post. 

Automated Quality Control for Increased Efficiency 

Automated proofreading software simplifies workflow processes, leading to better, more efficient processes. In order to increase productivity in the workplace, practices need to be instilled that allow businesses to get tasks completed more quickly without compromising on the quality of the work.

The implementation of automated quality inspection will enable corporations to rely entirely on digital verification while almost completely reducing and eliminating the need for manual proofreading. 

Automated proofreading eliminates the need for overly complicated processes and simplifies to only a couple of steps. Once content is created, the software inspects the entire file looking for discrepancies in the master document and the print.

Errors will be identified within seconds, with the software pinpointing all differences in the document. All that’s left is for quality control teams to make the necessary corrections, and the content is ready to be printed and published.

The software also eliminates the need for large teams to overlook proofreading processes and brings it down to just a few people and the software. Proofreading times are also heavily decreased as the software thoroughly inspects all aspects of the document finding errors that would be extremely difficult to find through manual inspections, such as those of colour, graphic, and barcode deviations. 

Find out more about how you can increase efficiency with automated quality control here. 

Industry Benefits of Automated Quality Control 

Automated quality control presents many benefits for diverse industries operating within regulatory markets. It not only ensures stringent compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines it also efficiently detects deviations and errors, reducing the likelihood of non-compliance and associated penalties. 

Some industries that can extremely benefit from automated quality control include: 

Automation for Pharmaceuticals 

Automated quality control benefits pharmaceutical companies by ensuring accuracy, reducing errors, and speeding up processes. It helps meet regulatory standards, brings products to market faster, and provides valuable data for continuous improvement. 

Automated inspections for pharmaceuticals have become essential to the day-to-day affairs of companies wishing to attain the efficiency and error-free work that is demanded of them. In addition to the rigorous quality control implemented on the products themselves, it is important to ensure the compliance of packaging and labeling information.

If labels and packaging components are not up to the same quality standards as the products themselves, there could be detrimental consequences to both the brand and the consumer. In this article, we explore the numerous ways that automated packaging inspections can benefit the pharmaceutical industry.

Ensure the accuracy of your critical pharmaceutical content through automation. 

The Importance of Quality Inspection in Print and Packaging

Companies needing to print in bulk will find that having a quality inspection process is extremely beneficial. Print inspection systems can provide the assurance and quality control your company needs to minimize mistakes. They will also guarantee the delivery of consistent results that will enhance your brand’s image through error reduction.

In fact, the role of quality inspection systems becomes even more vital when dealing with offset commercial printers. Given that most printing presses operate at incredibly high speeds, irregularities in the final product are more than possible, if not mandatory. 

Quality inspection software in print and packaging – as opposed to manual inspection systems – provides the necessary accuracy to achieve consistent and flawless results on a regular basis.

Modern Solution for Prepress

Modern print inspection systems consist of advanced technology that links with your printing press or web rewinder to achieve exceptional results. It works by integrating vision systems (cameras), web viewers, and high-tech software that will catch any errors in time before they are printed in bulk.

Over the years, these quality inspection systems have been developing at a rapid pace. Nowadays, you can find multiple options online at very competitive prices. In fact, given that they require little to no maintenance, one of the key advantages of implementing these non-traditional tools is that you only need to make a one-time investment. Other benefits include ease of use and operation and the ability to have more control over your result.

Benefits of Automation for Creative Agencies

Quality control systems are essential to ensuring that no content errors affect the quality of campaigns and other projects.

Built to ensure the quality of work at all stages of the agency workflow, GlobalVision’s software eliminates inefficient and costly errors that can delay projects and negatively impact client satisfaction. Manual proofreading simply isn’t accurate enough to meet the defined standards that clients expect from their hired agencies, especially when multiple departments are involved.

The various divisions of a creative agency require standardization when it comes to quality control, which is where GlobalVision’s software comes in. From ensuring the accuracy of copies and vendor proofs to graphic and editorial consistency, automated quality control elevates your agency’s credibility and inspires confidence in your clients.

Everything you need to know about automated quality control for creative agencies is right here. 

The Role of Quality Control in Consumer Goods

Automated quality control has emerged as a game-changer for the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, revolutionizing the way manufacturers ensure product excellence. By leveraging advanced technologies like machine learning and computer vision, automated quality control streamlines and optimizes various aspects of production. 

It enhances accuracy and consistency in inspecting content, identifying defects, and monitoring the manufacturing process. 

With real-time data analysis, potential issues can be detected swiftly, reducing the risk of faulty products reaching consumers. This not only enhances overall product quality but also minimizes waste and recalls, resulting in cost savings for CPG companies. 

Furthermore, automation eliminates the need for extensive manual inspections, freeing up human resources for more strategic tasks, such as research and development, fostering innovation, and driving long-term growth in the industry. Overall, automated quality control empowers the CPG sector to deliver higher-quality products, bolster consumer trust, and maintain a competitive edge in a dynamic market landscape.

Automated Proofreading to Replace Obsolete Difference Checker Tools

According to official Food and Drug Administration numbers, the majority of product recalls are caused by labeling errors. How can companies accurately keep track of the quality of millions of products being packaged daily? It’s definitely a challenge, but that’s why proofreading is crucial in order to release products into the market with complete confidence.

Over the last 20 years, companies have come to realize that human inspection is inherently prone to error. There’s no arguing that, as safety regulations are continuously increasing, automated inspection has become the gold standard for the industry.

Early on, ”diff checker” and ”text compare” tools were the ultimate proofreading solution in the market, allowing for the comparison of characters between two documents and spotting changes in the text before they reach the printer to ensure data integrity.

With the advent of sophisticated machine vision systems and automated proofreading software, technology is progressively becoming more powerful, efficient, and easier to set up and use.

Modern text inspection tools can even generate progress reports, outlining all errors corrected for faster approval times. Meanwhile, plain old document comparison software continues to fall behind when it comes to innovation.

Read more about how automated proofreading is replacing obsolete difference checker tools. 

Automate Your Workflows for Success

Quality inspection is an essential part of every production line.

Those who do not understand how valuable they are, are not looking at the big picture. Money-wise, the cost of manufacturing a product extends far beyond the build cost, as it continues across its lifecycle, from support and delivery to warranty claims.

The one-time investment in quality inspection software can reduce future costs relating to customer support, warranty returns, and rejected or returned items. They can even add value to your company, as you’ll count on a competitive defense tool that will eventually pour more money into your pockets.

Ready to step into the world of automated quality control? Request a demo of our innovative proofreading software and see how this technology can revolutionize your everyday business practices. 

Transform your quality control processes with GlobalVision’s cloud-based quality inspection tool. 

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Upgrading Your Brand? Streamline Brand Transitions With Document Comparison Software

A long and strenuous task, upgrading your brand is a complete journey but document comparison software is a solution that makes it that much easier.

Date: August, 2023 | Category: Quality | Author: Hana Trokic

In the world of design and communication, font plays a pivotal role in conveying the right message and aesthetics. 

Microsoft took note of this and recently made the significant decision to transform its brand through a typeface upgrade. They said goodbye to their old trusted friend, Calibri, and introduced a new default typeface, Bierstadt – now called Aptos. While this transition enhances and upgrades the visual appeal of the Microsoft brand, it also raises concerns about content errors that might arise due to the new typeface changes. 

Making big brand changes like these is never easy and as Microsoft notes, it’s quite intimidating changing a typeface that was used for 15 years. The fonts we saw on our screen for over a decade not only became a part of the brand’s visual identity but a part of the brand itself. 

A long and strenuous task, upgrading your brand is a complete journey but document comparison software is a solution that makes it that much easier. Not only does it prevent content errors, but it also ensures a seamless transition to new typefaces by automating a good deal of the proofreading process. 

The Importance of Upgrading Your Typeface 

Microsoft’s decision to transition to the Aptos font comes with a range of motivations. A refreshed font will give the company a more contemporary and uniform visual identity, aligning with modern design trends. 

Also, technology has changed significantly in the last 15 years, and the screens and computers we use today are far from what they used to be. This posed the need for a new font that was better suited to high-resolution screens and was sharp, modern, and an overall better fit for the sleek machines we use today. 

However, font and brand transitions can pose millions of challenges, particularly in maintaining content quality and accuracy. 

The shift in font styles can inadvertently introduce formatting discrepancies, typographical errors, and inconsistencies that could affect the overall user experience. This is where document comparison software steps in to maintain content integrity.

The Role of Document Comparision Software

Document comparison software, like GlobalVision, offers an advanced solution to ensure the smooth implementation of font transitions while preserving content quality. 

Here are some key ways in which it can help:

Error Detection: Document comparison software is designed to identify various types of errors, including text, spelling, image, graphics, color, print, and more. Regarding font changes –  spelling mistakes, grammar errors, punctuation errors, and formatting inconsistencies are more common issues. These errors can easily go unnoticed due to letter shape and size differences. Document comparison software’s algorithms can detect these errors regardless of font style, making it an indispensable tool in maintaining content accuracy.

Consistency Check: Maintaining consistent terminology and style is crucial during font transitions. Document comparison software detects errors and ensures that your content adheres to specific guidelines and style preferences. This is particularly important for brands that want to uphold their image consistently across various communication materials.

Efficiency: Document comparison software significantly accelerates the review process. Manually combing through content to identify errors and inconsistencies can be time-consuming and prone to human oversight. Document comparison software automates this process, allowing your team to focus on more creative and strategic tasks during your brand’s upgrade.

Adaptability: Document comparison software adapts effortlessly in the case of a font transition. It recognizes that the font has changed and evaluates the content based on the new typography, reducing the likelihood of overlooking errors due to the font switch.

Seamless Brand Transitions with Document Comparison Software

GlobalVision, a leading document comparison software, offers a comprehensive solution for businesses undergoing font transitions like Microsoft’s shift to Aptos. 

Here’s how this innovation in quality inspection software it can make the process seamless:

Comprehensive Content Inspections: GlobalVision’s advanced algorithms run comprehensive checks of files and documents. This allows the software to identify any and all errors across critical content which include various fonts. This also ensures that content remains error-free even after a typeface change.

Customizable Inspections: The software allows users to set specific guidelines and rules for content quality inspections, ensuring consistency and adherence to brand standards throughout the transition.

High Volume Inspections: GlobalVision enables batch processing, making reviewing large volumes of content effortless during any transition period. A crucial feature as seemingly infinite amounts of content will need to be proofread to ensure new changes are updates have been made. 

Effortless Collaboration: The software supports collaboration among team members, allowing them to review and approve content changes collaboratively, thus expediting the entire process.

Ensure Your Brands Integrity 

Typeface or font transitions are necessary and exciting aspects of brand and design evolution, but they must be approached with caution to maintain content quality, accuracy, and, ultimately your brand’s image. 

While it’s a heavy and time-consuming task, upgrading your brand’s image is necessary to maintain relevance in the market and stay competitive. Document comparison software can play a vital role in this process, offering a reliable solution to detect errors, ensure consistency, and make seamless brand guideline transitions. 

As companies, designers, and brands embrace changes to refresh their visual identities, the integration of a comprehensive solution such as document comparison software becomes crucial to uphold content integrity in the midst of change.

Looking to guarantee the consistency and accuracy of your brand? Take the first steps towards flawless content and accelerated time-to-market using GlobalVision’s state-of-the-art document comparison software. Begin experiencing the advantages of our cutting-edge software today.

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Accelerating Success: GlobalVision Revolutionizes iNova Pharmaceutical’s Product Launches with Unmatched Accuracy and Speed

Our cutting-edge technology brings unmatched accuracy and speed in proofreading of critical content, ensuring compliance success every step of the way. For Inova Pharma, it has allowed them to take full ownership of quality reviews and ensure seamless product launches as well.

Date: August, 2023 | Category: Customers | Author: Hana Trokic

About iNova Pharmaceuticals

iNova Pharmaceuticals is a global organization dedicated to the development, marketing, and distribution of a diverse range of prescription medications and consumer health products. Operating across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa, iNova serves over 20 countries internationally. 

With a team of 550 professionals spanning three continents, their goal is to provide trusted products that improve people’s health and well-being. Their diverse product portfolio includes weight management, cough and cold remedies, health supplements, dermatology, sun care, and female health products. Their products have established a legacy of over 50 years, earning a prominent place in countless family medicine cabinets.

iNova Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to delivering effective and high-quality pharmaceuticals manufactured in accordance with the most stringent international standards.

The Challenge: Overcome Inefficient Outsourcing and Complicated Revision Workflows  

In late 2017, quality teams at iNova Pharmaceuticals underwent organizational changes that allowed them to bring more control into their quality assurance processes, eliminating the need for outsourced third parties and complicated revision workflows. 

Artwork management in particular was a main area of focus. At the time, teams at iNova were working with an external studio that managed most of their artwork processes. While the studio provided a tool that allowed iNova to complete product or artwork reviews online, the tool was not managed by them directly, giving them little control over the process. 

To resolve this issue, Phil Sami, Group Operations Improvement Director was given the task to create an artwork process and workflow that was consistent and streamlined across all three regions of the organization. 

What he soon discovered was GlobalVision’s innovative proofreading software. The implementation of the system in early 2018 would allow them to bring back ownership of their revision and quality assurance processes internally and allow them to have total control of all their artwork pieces as well as changes and revisions. 

“GlobalVision is a great software to compare the print proofs and perform quality checks of the artworks.”

  • Diwas Malla, Senior Quality Assurance Associate

The Solution: Take Ownership of Quality Reviews and Ensure Seamless Product Launches with GlobalVision 

Through GlobalVision’s proofreading software, quality teams at iNova Pharmaceuticals were able to ease collaboration and once again take back ownership of their artwork management workflows. This implementation allowed them to ensure first-hand the accuracy of their files which ultimately led to faster and higher quality revisions as well as increase their overall speed-to-market for new product launches. 

Phil Sami notes that besides the additional capabilities and features that allowed the company to enhance their revision workflows while ensuring compliance, a key factor in choosing GlobalVision was that the software was FDA-approved and it was difficult to find alternatives that offered compliance packages required by pharmaceutical industry software providers. GlobalVision was the comprehensive solution for their everyday quality assurance needs and stood out as the market leader. 

“GlobalVision has been vital in artwork development as it helps pick up the tiniest of errors and differences both within text and graphics. It also saves so much time by not having to do manual proofreading.”

  • Praenisha Ramnath, Pharmacovigilance & Compliance Manager

He adds that a majority of the users are in the company’s Quality department and that the software is primarily used in the following manner: 

  • The software is used daily to run approvals of artwork that is at the final print-proof stage. A review of what external manufacturers send is done to ensure those proofs can go to production, ultimately ensuring a swift time-to-market for products. 
  • It is used to verify barcodes and ensure they are accurate and compliant. This is a critical feature for iNova’s quality team as products are not accepted if the barcodes do not pass the strict compliance regulations required by global health authorities. 
  • As artwork is sent to manufacturers and other departments, seamless team collaboration is key. GlobalVision allows quality teams and artwork planners to do quick yet accurate reviews before they send files off throughout the content lifecycle. 

“GlobalVision has been tremendously useful in decoding barcode values hence ensuring we deliver our products with GS1-compliant barcodes to our customers”

  • Gregory Pecsenya, Artwork Planner

Another crucial feature for iNova Pharmaceuticals is the software’s ability to select specific areas of a file that need to be inspected, namely, the Zoning Tool. GlobalVision allows users to pinpoint exact areas of a file, whether text or graphics, allowing for more detailed and precise inspections. 

Phil adds that this feature is particularly beneficial when working on files in foreign languages. As iNova distributes products to markets globally, quality teams must work on files in languages and alphabets that are not native to them. The Zoning Tool allows for granular inspections of foreign content and more accurate visual inspections of graphic components within seconds.

Conclusion: iNova Pharmaceutical Revolutionizes Revision Workflows

Since 2018, quality and artwork teams at iNova have been reaping the many benefits of GlobalVision and their revision processes have become unimaginable without the market-leading proofreading software. As they are consistently reviewing and improving their quality control processes, iNova Pharmaceuticals is in the process of implementing GlobalVision’s newest innovation in cloud-based proofreading software, Verify, to further drive speed and accuracy in their proofreading processes.

As Verify is integrated with Veeva, another system used by iNova Pharmaceuticals, teams predict that this implementation will save additional time, approximately 2-3 min per piece of artwork, as switching between the different platforms will no longer be needed.  

In the future, iNova Pharmaceuticals plans to continue to work alongside GlobalVision, implementing and updating its software and workflows to ensure the highest quality products they have become known for, all the while guaranteeing customer satisfaction and loyalty for many more years to come. 

Take the first step towards error-free content and quicker time-to-market with GlobalVision’s automated proofreading software. Start reaping the benefits of automated quality control today.

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Ready for a New Verify Release? 2023.2 is Here

Date: April, 2023 | Category: Proofreading | Author: Hana Trokic

GlobalVision’s latest and most innovative cloud-based proofreading technology just got an upgrade. Verify 2023.2 is now live! 

With this latest release, users can expect a heightened and more streamlined automated proofreading experience. This upgraded version comes equipped with new features and capabilities that not only enhance the user experience but also improve the accuracy and efficiency of quality inspections. Verify 2023.2 ensures a seamless and user-friendly proofreading experience while delivering superior results.

Innovation in Proofreading Software

GlobalVision has devoted significant effort in recent years to developing Verify, a state-of-the-art cloud-based proofreading solution designed for regulated industries. This innovative technology has been widely adopted by pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods brands, and agencies seeking to streamline their proofreading processes.

Verify’s automated proofreading platform promotes efficient work processes and enables the creation of higher-quality content in record time. Its advanced features and capabilities make it a best-in-class solution for companies striving to optimize their proofreading efforts.

What Does Verify 2023.2 Bring?

One of the most noteworthy enhancements of Verify 2023.2 is its improved text inspection accuracy. The Text Inspection 2 algorithm has been improved to deliver superior inspection quality and accuracy, resulting in a smoother, more seamless proofreading experience for users. Verify 2023.2 also brings the addition of Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which will be available for a group of select users. 

Here is a detailed overview of what Verify 2023.2 brings: 

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) available to select customers:

  • OCR allows users to inspect flattened text on documents such as promotional material screenshots and supplier proofs by converting the digital image into a readable text format. 

Spell Check Improvement:

  • Ability to whitelist certain special characters in Custom Dictionaries

Several Text Inspection 2 algorithm issues have been resolved, including:

  • False positives related to underlined differences decreased by 86% on average
  • Duplicated differences showing in the Results Panel
  • Differences not being displayed in the right order in the Results Panel
  • Non-completion of certain inspections

Who Can Benefit From This Release?

While Verify caters to regulatory affairs and promotional teams across all industries, it offers significant advantages to those working in enterprise-level pharmaceuticals and consumer packaged goods.

With the addition of OCR, an otherwise high-demand feature for brands and agencies, Verify will also be extremely beneficial for marketing and advertising industries as well as promotional departments in regulated industries specifically.

Whether you are part of a creative or technical team, Verify 2023.2 is guaranteed to improve your proofreading and revision processes. Our user-friendly and comprehensive platform provides ease of use, convenience, and simplicity, making it a crucial resource for professionals across industries.

A Heightened Proofreading Experience 

With Verify 2023.2, users can expect to experience a heightened proofreading experience through many Text Inspection 2 enhancements and the addition of Optical Character Recognition.

Its advanced features and capabilities make it a powerful resource for companies seeking to streamline their proofreading efforts and increase their quality control processes. Through constant innovation, Verify 2023.2 ensures a seamless and user-friendly proofreading experience, delivering superior inspection results. 

If you are interested in a more personalized overview of Verify, request a demo here or take advantage of a free trial to discover how Verify can specifically benefit your team’s quality control processes.

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Related Resources: 

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How GlobalVision Helps Hero Group Eliminate Human Error in Their Quality Control Process

Hero Group Case Study Banner

Date: April, 2023 | Category: Quality | Author: Hana Trokic

About Hero Group 

Hero Group is an international consumer food manufacturing company whose core business focuses on baby food along with nutritional snack foods and spreads. Based in Switzerland, it was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg and has since grown into a worldwide enterprise. They currently have offices and production facilities spread across five continents including Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Turkey and Central Asia. 

Their mission is to provide customers with high-quality, nutritious food while using only the best ingredients. Hero Group prides itself on products with fewer, more natural ingredients prepared with minimum processing. 

Today, Hero Group employs 4,300 employees worldwide and in 2015, generated revenues surpassing CHF 1.26 billion. 

The Challenge: Overcome the Limitations of Manual Checks on a Global Scale

As Hero Group deals primarily with baby and natural food products, their products fall under a heavily regulated umbrella that has to adhere to the highest standards. 

Any errors that slip through in critical content files or artwork could lead to food recalls, financial losses, a decrease in brand loyalty, or in the worst-case scenario, consumer health risks. All these issues could be detrimental to the company and oftentimes difficult to reverse.

Francisco Tomás López Ramírez, Packaging Lab Manager at Hero Group’s Spain division, gave us in-depth insights into the issues their quality control teams were facing with regard to their revision processes. He noted that teams consistently noticed a gap in their inspections due to the many limitations of manual, visual checks. 

“Visual checks have limitations due to human factors. In some cases, printed errors in designs weren’t detected in earlier checks allowing them to slip through.”

  • Francisco Tomás López Ramírez, Packaging Lab Manager, at Hero Spain

Despite numerous rounds of manual proofreading, errors in text and graphics were slipping through due to human factors, which often lead to mistakes being overlooked. Manual and visual checks often failed to catch all differences in labeling and packaging, particularly when it came to graphic files where errors can be easily missed by the human eye. This emphasized the setbacks of relying solely on human checks to ensure accuracy. 

Due to these limitations, quality control teams at Hero Spain quickly realized that there was a necessity to automate the proofing of their printed designs and graphics. 

The Solution: Eliminate Human Error Through Automated Quality Control 

After several years of looking for an automated inspection system, in 2021, Hero Spain decided to test GlobalVision’s inspection technology. The results of the inspections showed that it was very much possible to automatically proofread and inspect files with few false positives and in record time. 

Since then, Hero Spain was quick to implement GlobalVision into their everyday quality control processes and use the software as an added quality control measure for their graphic files. In their day-to-day operations, it is used to look over design changes to ensure final graphics are completely error-free. At the moment, the Packaging Lab is the primary department using GlobalVision for its inspections. 

Throughout the years, Hero Spain observed numerous advantages of using GlobalVision’s file comparison technology but has particularly noted three main benefits of the software: 

  • Automated inspections of printed graphics that prevent human errors from slipping through
  • Fully automated inspections of artwork files in foreign languages (Chinese, Swedish, etc.).      
  • Innovative and modern solutions to their quality control processes

When asked if he was satisfied with the system, training, support, and ease of use of GlobalVision’s software, Mr. López said that he was “highly satisfied” and that he has “already recommended the system to our quality colleagues in Hero Group.” The main benefit he boasts about is that it is a feasible system to control artwork files and avoid human errors and factors.

“I’m extremely satisfied with GlobalVision. I’ve already recommended the system to our quality colleagues in Hero Group!”

  • Francisco Tomás López Ramírez, Packaging Lab Manager, at Hero Spain

With 527 files successfully inspected in 2022, Hero Spain has seen an overall improvement in their graphic and packaging accuracy, a decrease in errors, and an increase in the quality of their packaging and food safety. They expect to increase that number in the coming years to continue to better their offer of only the most premium products. 

He also went on to add that not only have internal teams noticed the benefits of implementing GlobalVision but clients have also been impacted. Clients have taken note of the added efforts taken by Hero Spain to ensure the high quality of their products.

When asked what they would do if GlobalVision were to hypothetically no longer be available, Mr. López said they would be at a loss as they simply cannot imagine going back to manual, visual checks in their quality control processes. 

If your organization also wants to reap the many benefits of GlobalVision’s automated proofreading technology, request a free demo here and begin streamlining your quality control processes today!

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Related Resources 

  • Find out more about GloblVision’s innovative proofreading technology here
  • See how GlobalVision has helped top industry leaders release products with confidence here. 

Ensure your content is always error-free in record time with GlobalVision. Try it now for free.

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