Expanded Content Labels (ECLs): The Ultimate Solution for Multilingual and Regulatory Information
It can be challenging to find labels for pharmaceutical packaging because many medical products are small or oddly shaped. However, regardless of their size, these products need extensive labels that tell medical professionals how they should be used. Many labels are required to be multilingual, including extensive information in several languages.
Expanded content labels (ECLs) can help you stay compliant with industry regulations and ensure customer health and safety for pharmaceutical packaging. ECLs come in different shapes and sizes, but they all pack comprehensive safety information into multilayered labels. Learn more about the benefits of ECLs for multilingual and regulatory information and how you can customize these labels to fit your packaging.
Small Packaging Label Challenges
Many pharmaceutical products are used internationally, so their label information must be presented in multiple languages. However, including the required product description, warnings, unique identifiers and other essential information in one language can be challenging in a small label. That is where ECLs come in — they condense a significant amount of label information into a small space without creating bulk.
With an ECL, you can include all required information in multiple languages, streamlining your packaging process and reducing overall costs. Because ECLs offer so much room for text, instructions are more readable and accessible for industry professionals. These extended labels can also be used for product tracing and identification, helping to reduce the risk of product counterfeiting and diversion.
ECLs have resealable tabs that can be opened and closed many times without reducing their adhesive’s effectiveness. Labels come in a range of shapes and sizes and can be used for cylindrical products and other odd shapes. Their outer layer can blend seamlessly into your branding, keeping packaging professional while staying compliant with industry regulations.
What Healthcare Products Need ECLs?
Many healthcare products are packaged in tiny containers, cylinders and other unusual shapes. ECLs are an ideal solution for small products that require a lot of accompanying information. Here are a few examples of healthcare packaging that may benefit from ECLs:
- Vials
- Syringes
- Ampules
Expanded content labels may also be a good choice for regular box-shaped packaging that requires long instructions and other essential information. For example, many medical devices are packaged in boxes and require leaflets or booklets with extensive product information in multiple languages.
1. Extended Content Booklet Labels
This kind of ECL can be designed in many different shapes and sizes. They work well on flat surfaces and products with tight circumferences, and have user-friendly tabs that are easy to open. ECL booklets look like the name sounds — when you open the tab, you will see multiple pages inside like a mini book.
2. Extended Content Multi-Wrap
Another kind of booklet label, multi-wrap ECLs are designed to wind around a cylindrical item several times. If you need to include a lot of information in the label for a small container, multi-wrap labels are a good option. They are resealable throughout the product’s life and have a user-friendly tab that makes them easy to open and close.
3. Extended Content Leaflet Labels
Leaflet labels are another option for products that need an expansive label but do not have much space on their packaging. Instead of unfolding like a book, leaflets unfold like a long ribbon. They are designed to lie flat and have multiple panels that break up information naturally into sections for different languages and topics.
4. Removable Extended Content Labels
Some ECL booklets are designed so you can seamlessly remove them from packaging after you have read them. For some products, you may want to keep the label even after you are finished with a product’s packaging. Removable labels make it easy to keep multilingual instructions on hand so they can be distributed or referenced later.
5. Multi-Ply ECL Labels
This kind of expanded content label has several layers of material that peel back to reveal more printed content. You can include a lot of information in these labels while maintaining a slim profile. Multi-ply labels can include tear-off sections for documentation purposes, and you can even order them with integrated hanging systems. These labels are dry-peel so each lower layer is adhesive-free when the top layer is peeled back.
6. Clinical Booklets Labels
If you need labels for cartons, kits and cards associated with clinical trials, booklet labels are a good choice. They can be designed with a clear or opaque back and have room for all required clinical trial information. ECLs are perfect for multinational trials because they have enough room to include information in several languages. You can request labels with cryo adhesives that will work well in cold environments.
7. Encapsulated ECL Booklets and Leaflets
This type of ECL is enclosed inside a transparent layer that protects the booklet or leaflet from moisture, tampering and contamination. Booklets and leaflets can be either partially or fully enclosed, depending on product packaging goals. This kind of label is a sophisticated, durable way to include essential product information. Encapsulated labels can be equipped with barcodes and QR codes for tracking purposes.
How CCL Healthcare Supports Sustainable Pharmaceutical Labels
Promoting global health through sustainable practices should be a central focus for any healthcare organization. At CCL Healthcare, we believe packaging can meet industry requirements for size and dependability and be eco-friendly. As a company, we are working to limit landfill waste and make our production and supply chain more efficient.
We help our customers create sustainable pharmaceutical packaging by consulting with them about the most eco-friendly way to reach their packaging goals. For example, we can eliminate excess toner cartridges, upgrade to eco-friendly adhesives and modify packaging constructions to reduce production waste.
As part of our contribution to the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market, we have created a collection and recycling program that eliminates liner waste after labels are put on your product. After this process is complete, we will pick up the old liners from your facility and turn them into a new product, reducing landfill waste.
Request a Quote From CCL Healthcare Today
Finding the right label solutions for pharmaceutical packages can be tricky due to their size and shape. At CCL Healthcare, we have nearly 75 years of printing experience with healthcare labels. We offer customized labels that work with every type of product, making it easy to comply with industry requirements like multilingual label information. CCL Healthcare operates 38+ dedicated current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) compliant healthcare facilities worldwide.
We offer a range of ECLs, including booklets, leaflets, multi-wrap, removable and encapsulated labels so you can find the best solution for pharmaceutical packaging. In addition to ECLs, we support healthcare companies with brand protection, supply chain management and sustainability solutions.
Contact us today to request a quote for our ECL solutions!
