Stories from our test participants

Our packaging and product tests are truly unique—especially because they are carried out by individuals with impaired hand function, who generously lend their hands as measuring tools. Our test participants play a vital role, and with their help, we can determine whether, for example, a package is easy to open and handle for everyone.

Here, you can meet some of the individuals who take part in our testing. Their voices reflect not only personal experiences, but also a shared commitment to improving everyday life for others.

Johan Eklund

“I take part in the tests because I want to help improve packaging and products for people who need to use them in their everyday lives. Personally, I receive assistance in many situations as I have a personal assistant. But every task I can manage on my own is important for my quality of life. It gives me a sense of inclusion in society. Because I place higher demands on functionality than the other test participants, I can help make everyday life easier for more people—and that feels good.”

Tarja Nilsson

“It feels important and interesting. I hope it can contribute and help both the company and other people with impaired hand function. It’s also lovely and enjoyable to meet everyone.”

Monica Nylander

“The more I understand the purpose behind the tests, the more I focus on their deeper meaning. I can see that companies are listening to us and taking our feedback seriously. I’m truly happy to be involved and to contribute to making life better for other people with rheumatic conditions. And the tests also offer a welcome and unusual break from everyday life.”

Ann-Charlotte Steringer

“I find it interesting and enjoyable. I learn a lot, and it’s fun to see products or packaging I’ve helped test out in the real world.”

Ann-Charlotte Posner

“I believe it’s important to advocate for easy-to-open packaging, because it’s about everyone’s right to independence and participation in everyday life. Many people—especially older individuals, those with reduced hand strength or disabilities—struggle greatly with opening standard packaging. This leads to frustration, a sense of exclusion, and unnecessary dependence on others for something as basic as eating, taking medication, or managing personal hygiene. By raising awareness and demanding change, we can help make more packaging accessible to all.

It’s a matter of equality, inclusion, and respect for people’s varying abilities. And it’s not just a win for the individual—companies and society also benefit from smarter design that makes life easier for more people. That’s why I want to be part of the change, so that the packaging of the future doesn’t shut anyone out—but opens possibilities for many.”


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News

Giana Carli Lorenzini, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering Technology, Technical University of Denmark
22 april 2026

Hard‑to‑open medicine packaging can compromise patient safety

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.

Kristina Heilborn

5 februari 2026

Ecolean – the only company to have all its packages approved

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.

Kristina Heilborn

2 februari 2026

User-friendly packaging competition

Following a proposal from the Swedish Rheumatism Association, Packnorth Award — the largest Nordic packaging competition — is introducing a new competition category: User-Friendly Packaging.

Kristina Heilborn