Child-Resistant Food and Supplement Packaging: ASTM D3475 and ISO 8317 Explained

A child-resistant package must slow a young child's access while remaining openable by adults — a balance verified by standardized testing, not by feel. ASTM D3475 defines the standard classifications for child-resistant packaging in North America, and ISO 8317 specifies the requirements for child-resistant reclosable packaging internationally. Knowing which applies to your market and your product type is the first compliance step.

The Scenario: Safety that must be proven

Child-resistant packaging faces three challenges:

Pain Points

• The wrong standard for your market can mean a failed compliance review or blocked sale;
• A package that is too hard for adults to open fails usability and gets abandoned;
• Test panels, timing, and pass criteria are exact — casual testing does not count.

The Solution: Three compliance solutions

Three steps get child-resistant packaging right:

1. Standard selection Identify the governing standard — ASTM D3475 for North American markets, ISO 8317 for international reclosable packaging.

2. Protocol-verified testing Run formal protocol testing with the defined child and adult panels; the sequence and pass thresholds are prescribed.

3. Usability balancing Verify adult-openability in the same test cycle so safety never comes at the cost of practical access.

The Result: Proven safety, usable access

The package meets the governing standard with documented test results while remaining practical for adults.