ShockWatch, a global leader in damage prevention products, has created companion labels, tear-away records, and easy-to-read insert cards for use with its Environmental Indicators. The indicators, which are affixed directly to product packaging, monitor temperatures during shipping and storage, and provide evidence of whether goods have been subjected to unacceptable conditions.
The company offers five Environ-mental Indicators, each unique in design, to meet the needs of a wide range of environmentally sensitive goods. These include perishable foods, blood/plasma, vaccines, chemicals, cosmetics, electronic components, and live plants or animals.
The five indicators are: ColdMark — indicates exposure to temperatures below a predetermined threshold; WarmMark Short Run — indicates when a shipment is exposed to temperature levels above a predetermined level; WarmMark Duo — monitors the exposure and duration of exposure of a product above two activation temperature levels; WarmMark Long Run — similar to the WarmMark Short Run, it indicates a longer exposure to temperatures above the threshold level; and HeatWatch — indicates exposure to extreme high temperatures above a specified threshold.
These five indicators, which react to a variety of response temperatures, adhere to any environmentally-sensitive product the user wishes to monitor during transit, says ShockWatch's shipping and handling product manager Angela Kerr. The new highly visible companion labels are placed on the outside of the box or crate to note that the product is being monitored.
“The intent of alerting handlers that the shipment is being watched is to provide reinforcement to deter mishandling,” she explains.
“On the receiving end, the indicator gives the product recipient a quick, definitive evidence of exposure to unacceptable temperature conditions during transit. The insert cards remind the receiver how to read the indicators, and contains general guidelines on appropriate courses of action to take if the indicator is activated.”
Additionally, the companion labels come with a tear-away record for recipients to log any issues and can help hold carriers accountable.
