PaperAge Magazine

Cascades Joins Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier (APASS) Network

Amazon boxes APASS is a program designed by Amazon to support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in certifying their products as Prep-Free Packaging, Ships-in-Own Container, and Frustration-Free Packaging.

June 17, 2019 - Cascades recently announced that it is now an official member of the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier (APASS) network.

“As a member of the APASS network, Cascades will be able to help its customers in three ways: by making sure that their products are well protected, by offering our customers sustainable solutions that also provide the best customer experience possible, and by enabling our vendor and manufacturer partners to align themselves with Amazon's requirements,” said Charles Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging.

APASS is a program designed by Amazon to support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in certifying their products as Prep-Free Packaging (PFP), Ships-in-Own Container (SIOC) and Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP). By doing so, they'll be the right size, protected against damage, ready-to-ship without the need for additional packaging, and ideally easy to open and recyclable. Amazon provides a list of suppliers that can help test, design, and supply packaging in line with Amazon's packaging certification rules. Cascades is now a proud member of this network.

Cascades' R&D Centre, the largest private Canadian research centre in the industry, has implemented an internal quality system based on ISTA, TAPPI and ASTM directives to ensure that the company provides consistent service quality. Cascades is therefore able to conduct baseline testing on boxes and components (liner and medium), as well as competitive analysis, root cause analysis and qualification testing of individual packages or pallets. The R&D Centre provides ISTA 6-Amazon.com testing to help customers meet Amazon's strict packaging requirements.

Amazon launched its FFP Vendor Incentive Program for all vendors. By August 1, 2019, all items larger than 18" x 14" x 8" or greater than 20 lb. and sold through Amazon must be designed and certified as ready-to-ship under their FFP program. To encourage early adoption of this program, Amazon is offering a one-time early adopter credit of $1 per unit to vendors that certify their items before August 1, 2019 and will issue a chargeback of $1.99 per unit beginning on that date.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. To learn more, please visit: www.cascades.com.

SOURCE: Cascades, Inc.