¿Qué es el código FEFCO y cómo se aplica a la clasificación de las cajas de cartón?
4minutos de lectura
25 Mar 2022
Spain
If you are looking for optimised packaging for a specific product, or if you have researched our FEFCO box and packaging references, you may be wondering what this acronym stands for. It is an international protocol that aims to facilitate and unify the work of packaging manufacturers, distributors and buyers.
What do we mean by the FEFCO code?
The FEFCO code is an international system developed by the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers – hence its name – and the ESBO – European Solid Board Organisation -. Its aim is to unify criteria, so that they can be interpreted in any country, with regard to the characteristics of the packaging, taking into account, among others, aspects such as:
- Dimensions
- Format
- Process and type of assembly
- Opening system
- Closing system (gluing, taping, stapling)
- Possibility of combination between packs
Structure of the FEFCO code
The FEFCO code consists of four digits, to which four further digits can be added. The first four digits refer to the standardised type or design according to the FEFCO classification, the other four digits – where necessary – specify the variations on the type in question.
Basic packaging design groups according to the FEFCO code
The types of boxes and packagings united under the FEFCO code recognise nine basic groups, identifiable by the first two numbers of the four-digit code referred to above.
- 01 Commercial rolls and sheets
- 02 American slotted boxes
- 03 Telescopic boxes
- 04 Folding cartons and trays
- 05 Sliding boxes
- 06 Rigid boxes
- 07 Quick-glue boxes
- 09 Inner conditioners
RAJA® packaging with FEFCO code and its applications
Among the FEFCO boxes and packaging for sale on the RAJA® website you can find, among many others:
Postal boxes
They correspond to group 04 of the FEFCO code and are delivered flat in one piece. They can be folded to shape the bottom and the flaps. Our catalogue has a number of different references, withRAJAPOST® self-assembly folding boxes being one of the most popular types of packaging. There are also FEFCO-coded boxes designed for the postal delivery of a specific type of product, such as the self-seal book cases.
Telescopic boxes with adjustable height
These are grouped under FEFCO code 03 and consist of two elements: the base and the lid. Telescopic boxes can be adjusted according to the height or length of the goods, and are suitable for products that are difficult to pack using other packaging. A good example is the telescopic long boxes for elongated objects.
Boxes with automatic bottom
Grouped under FEFCO code 07, they are ideal for fast packaging and safe transport. They are especially designed for the shipment of fragile products, such as the boxes for bottles with protective cells, and also for heavier loads, such as the instant assembly boxes for removals. There are reusable packaging references, such as the round-trip boxes that facilitate the management of returns, so they are also useful for facilitating the return of products in e-shops, supporting EcoResponsible consumption.
Boxes and cases for flat products
They fall under FEFCO code 04 and are usually assigned to those shipments in which a standard box would waste space and resources, unnecessarily increasing the volumetric weight of the package. Such is the case of picture boxes or cross-shaped boxes – widely used in the shipment of books – although there are adjustable solutions, such as the postal box with adaptable width or the RAJA® brown postal box for flat products, with up to 16 references for different sizes.
FEFCO-coded packaging personalisation
The fact that the FEFCO code aims to unify internationally the criteria for the manufacture and commercial exchange of boxes and packaging does not necessarily mean that all shipments must be the same. The packaging customisation and brand communication are important, even if their technical characteristics are unified. You can add a distinctive touch to your shipments by using packaging in a colour other than the classic brown, such as the white RAJA® telescopic cardboard box, or by using your corporate colours and printing your brand logo on both the boxes and the adhesive tapes or on the bags. Contact us if you would like advice and a quote on the most appropriate FEFCO-coded packaging for you.
