The Swedish Rheumatism Association has nominated Sonoco’s Orbit™ lid and Tetra Pak’s Lightwing™ 30 closure for the Packnorth Award. The nominations recognise packaging innovations that improve accessibility, independence and ease of use for consumers, particularly those with reduced hand strength or limited mobility.
Giana Carli Lorenzini, PhD, is Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering Technology, Technical University of Denmark. She conducts research on patient‑centred pharmaceutical packaging and welfare technology, using a sociotechnical and inclusive design perspective, with a particular focus on how older people manage medicines at home. Her research shows that today’s medicine packaging is often difficult to understand and open, which can lead to misuse and increased risks to patient safety.
It’s not easy to get a package approved by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. One company has succeeded in having all its products approved and certified as Easy to use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. That company is Ecolean, headquartered in Helsingborg, Sweden. Ecolean develops packaging and equipment for liquid food products. Their packages are used for items such as milk, yoghurt, cream, plant-based drinks and still beverages. The company is known for its lightweight and flexible packaging, designed to use less material than traditional alternatives. We had a brief chat with Cecilia Ask, the company’s Communication & Marketing Manager.
Following a proposal from the Swedish Rheumatism Association, Packnorth Award — the largest Nordic packaging competition — is introducing a new competition category: User-Friendly Packaging.
Professor Lena Lorentzen is an expert in inclusive design. She is responsible for the Swedish Rheumatism Association’s Easy to use tests and supports companies that want to develop products that work for everyone. Lena is calling for more innovative thinking to create packaging that functions for all people.
Dobsom is the first company to get clothes certified as Easy to use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. Smart and inclusive design for leisurewear for everyone.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association has commissioned the research company Novus to investigate how the Swedish population experiences packaging. We know that our members face significant challenges with packaging that is difficult to open. The survey shows that it’s far from only people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions who struggle with poorly designed packaging.
The Swedish Rheumatism Association is launching a product label for packaging and products that have been tested and certified as Easy to use. This could give consumers the opportunity, for example, to choose packaging that is truly easy to open, as it has been tested and approved by people with impaired hand function.
Since 2005, the Swedish Rheumatism Association has been commissioned by Tetra Pak to test the handling of several of their beverage packaging. At the end of last year, Tetra Pak had a new type of packaging tested, that hasn't been tested before, cartons for canned food.
New survey shows that a lot of people have difficulties opening medicine packages. Many people struggle with scissors and knives every day to open their medicine packs, while others give up and simply don't take their medicine. The Swedish Rheumatism Association has investigated the extent of the problems via a survey.
A new Ecolean package has been certified as Easy to use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. Ecolean continues to prioritise user-friendly design. The latest addition to the company’s packaging portfolio, Ecolean® Air 125, has now been tested, approved, and certified as Easy to Use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. The certification confirms that the package meets high standards for accessibility and ergonomics – particularly important for individuals with reduced hand function.
This week, Tetra Pak announced that several of their packaging solutions have been certified as Easy to use by the Swedish Rheumatism Association. “We’re very pleased that all our tested packages with tethered caps have been approved and certified. Tetra Pak has a long-standing commitment to user-friendly design. It’s crucial that all our products are easy and convenient to use, benefiting all consumers—not just those with impaired hand function,” said Elizabeth Anderberg, Communication Director North Europe at Tetra Pak, in the press release.