RES-002:25/CSA R303:25
Reusable Packaging System Design Standard
Container Washing, Inspection, and Packing for Distribution

This standard provides requirements and recommendations for washing containers, inspecting them, and packing them for distribution in a reusable packaging system. 

ANS Approval:

July 3, 2025

Intended audience: 

This Standard is for facilities that wash containers that are used in a reusable packaging system. 

Scope:

This standard applies to primary packaging that is part of a reusable packaging system in which the packaging is returned, washed and redistributed for reuse. Primary packaging is packaging that comes into direct contact with a consumable product. This includes bottles, jars, clamshells, cups, as well as foodware items that are not traditionally referred to as “packaging,” but are part of a reusable packaging system, such as food utensils, trays, and plates.

This standard does not apply to secondary, transport, or tertiary packaging that holds primary packaging units, such as crates or boxes.

This Standard is one of six standards that cover the entire reusable packaging system. Standards for other aspects of the system, including Container Design, Marking & Labeling, Collection Points, Digital, and System Operations and Performance, are available here.

Contents: 

0 Introduction
1 Scope
2 Reference publications
3 Definitions and abbreviations
4 Facility requirements
5 Employee requirements 
6 Pre-cleaning 
7 Cleaning and sanitizing requirements 
8 Drying 
9 Inspection
10 Container packing for distribution
11 Record-keeping and performance tracking

Annex A (informative) – Sample SOP for inspection
Annex B (normative) — Handwashing steps
Annex C (normative) — Glove placement and removal steps
Annex D (informative) — Sanitizing temps & concentrations
Annex E (informative) — Bibliography

The information below will help us understand the organizations and regions that use PR3 standards and will inform our development of support materials, trainings, and certification programs.

Download the standard (English)

PR3 continuously accepts feedback on the standards and will update this current draft within five years of its publication date.

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