CarePac VOC Testing: How We Verify Low-VOC Packaging

What Are VOCs?

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. VOC emissions come from a wide variety of products, including cleaning products, paint thinners, and industrial solvents, building materials, household products like new furniture, and even natural sources like vegetation.

When it comes to product packaging, certain VOCs can be found in packaging inks, adhesives, and solvents. VOCs are known to cause adverse health effects and allergic reactions, which is why CarePac aims to minimize total volatile organic compound emissions and contaminants from all our finished bags.

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Why CarePac Tests for VOC Emissions

CarePac performs VOC testing using advanced equipment on all our products for two reasons: it helps us stay compliant with certain regulations and because we care about the environment and health of our customers. VOC testing helps reduce odor risk and certain industries with higher regulations (i.e., food, coffee, supplements) actually require that their packaging meets a certain VOC threshold. If packaging comes in contact with food, especially, it must be free from VOCs and other pollutants.

VOC testing also provides better outcomes for customers: packaging handling is safer, it provides a better shelf experience, and helps brands remain consistent with their perception and reputation. Plus, it can help customers avoid lingering health issues from repeated exposure to VOCs.

Our VOC Analysis & Testing Procedure (Step by Step)

At CarePac, quality and safety are top priorities, especially when it comes to many VOC emissions, which is why our quality control process includes thorough testing for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To ensure our packaging meets the highest standards and environmental regulations, CarePac performs VOC testing using the FD-60 Meter. During the final boxing stage, three finished bags are randomly selected from each production batch. Before testing begins, the specific VOC meter is carefully zeroed out to ensure accurate readings. Each sample is then placed under the meter for 60 seconds, allowing the instrument to measure VOC content with precision down to 1 part per million (PPM).

This step-by-step procedure helps us make informed decisions and confirm that all products leaving our facility are clean, compliant, and safe for our customers’ end use.

What VOC Results Mean for Your Product

It's difficult to discuss what the VOC results mean for your product, as different products have different thresholds for the amount of volatile organic compounds are acceptable. Generally speaking, though, a low reading implies a lower risk for odor and indoor air quality considerations. It's important to make this note about the limits of VOC testing: testing pertains to emissions, specifically, and is not a guarantee of the absence of organic chemicals.

Compliance & Customer Requirements

VOC data plays an essential role in helping brands maintain consistency, compliance, and trust across every stage of their packaging supply chain. By understanding and documenting the volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in packaging, brands can verify that materials meet their own internal quality standards, adhere to retailer specifications, and comply with applicable regulatory requirements for product safety, airborne pollutants, and emissions.

This data-driven approach not only supports transparency but also helps prevent potential issues such as product odor, contamination, or non-compliance during audits by the Environmental Protection Agency. CarePac encourages buyers to share their VOC limits and internal specifications with our quality control team so we can align our testing process accordingly—ensuring that every batch of packaging meets your brand’s exact standards and performs safely in the marketplace.

Applications & Materials We Test

CarePac offers a variety of flexible packaging formats to meet diverse product and branding needs, including stand-up pouches, flat pouches, and rollstock film. These formats can be customized using a range of high-quality materials such as PET/PE laminates, metallized films, and kraft paper laminates, each chosen for their barrier strength, shelf appeal, and compatibility with different product types.

Because inks and adhesives used in the lamination and printing processes can be potential contributors to VOC levels and lead to adverse health effects with repeated exposure, CarePac maintains strict process controls and sourcing standards upstream in production. This ensures that all packaging components—from raw materials to finished goods—consistently meet low-VOC expectations and align with both regulatory and brand-specific requirements.

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With decades of experience in custom packaging and a robust quality control program, CarePac offers configurable testing services and full documentation to meet even the most stringent brand and retailer standards. Our team is ready to support your audits, vendor approvals, and ongoing compliance needs with confidence and transparency.

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FAQs: VOC Testing Services at CarePac

Q: What’s a normal VOC level for packaging?

There is no "normal" range for VOC releases in product packaging, as it depends on the specific product and regulations. A healthy indoor environment is generally considered to have very low VOCs and a commonly cited target for indoor air quality is below 0.065 ppm of TVOC.

Q: Which products get tested for off gassing?

All of our packaging gets tested for volatile organic compounds.

Q: Does VOC environmental testing ensure zero VOCs?

No, VOC environmental testing does not ensure zero volatile organic compounds; rather, it measures and quantifies VOCs to ensure they are below certain standards or regulations.

Q: Can you test to a custom requirement?

Yes. If you provide the specifications, we can test our packaging for volatile organic compounds that fall below that threshold.

Q: Do you provide analysis reports/COAs?

Yes. If you would like to review our volatile organic compound testing for a specific product, please reach out and we would be happy to provide you with the results.