On February 25, 2026, PR3 and CSA Group shared the publication of a new standard for the design and performance of reusable containers for foodstuffs, beverages, and other consumer goods. The standard, RES-001:26/CSA R304:26, is recognized by both the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and was informed by more than 100 stakeholders across industry, government, and academia.
The repeated use and washing of reusable containers can degrade non-inert materials, potentially leading to increased rates of migration and the migration of more chemicals over time (FPF reported). To protect consumers, the standard specifies harmful materials and chemical groups that cannot be used to manufacture reuse containers. Examples of these include melamine, bisphenols, parabens, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury.
The standard also outlines requirements for the use of recycled content when manufacturing reuse containers for foodstuffs, beverages, and personal care products. Post-consumer recycled content can contain materials and chemicals that are not safe for these applications and therefore should not be used, unless required by a jurisdiction (FPF reported).
To further protect consumers and increase transparency, the standard requires that manufacturers disclose all ingredients used in the manufacture of containers and provide written affirmation that none of the restricted chemicals or groups were intentionally added. In the case of using recycled content, they must disclose that feedstock does not contain the prohibited chemicals or chemicals groups outlined in the standard.
In addition to these chemical safety requirements, the standard specifies the minimum number of washes that containers in reuse systems must be designed to withstand and the specifications for optimizing washing, transport, storage, and interoperability of containers in reuse systems.
RES-001:26/CSA R304:26 complements RES-002:25/CSA R303:25, the container washing standard, which was published in August 2025. Four additional standards covering collection points, labelling, systems operations and performance, and digital tagging are expected by the end of 2027 to complete the series of standards for reuse systems.
Reference
PR3 (February 25, 2026). “RES-002:25/CSA R303:25 Reusable Packaging System Design Standard Container Washing, Inspection, and Packing for Distribution.”
Read more
Resolve (February 25, 2026). “New Standard Sets Design Guidelines for Safe, Durable Reusable Containers.”
