US deems packaging industry essential

The packaging industry has been classified as an essential service by the US department of Homeland Security, while printers and packaging companies here are being urged to tell their MPs that their industry should likewise be classified as essential.

The big US packaging associations have written to their members notifying them of the classification and urging them to stay open and stay producing packaging during the crisis. The US is currently experiencing skyrocketing infection rates.

The presidents of the three main packaging associations have now written to their members in a joint letter, saying, “We need members to stay open, as you are critical and essential to the supply chain”, particularly for food, medical, pharmaceutical and hygiene products, and for home delivery, and reminding them of the guidelines for safe operation.

Here printers and packaging bosses are being urged to write to their MPs to convince them that should an essential services list be produced that print and packaging businesses should be on that list. With the premiers of Victoria and NSW seeking to impose greater restrictions printers are being told the time to write is now, before they are prevented from running their presses

Click here to find the name and email of your local MP.