E-labels will most likely be the new normal when it comes to providing information on products. As technology continues to evolve in the manufacturing industry and changes continue to arise in regulatory legislation, information on food, pharmaceuticals, and other products must be more detailed and easily accessible by consumers. Lets find out How E-Labels Can Increase Efficiency.
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What is E-labeling?
According to Seagull Scientific, “E-labeling stands for electronic labeling and is a barcode of any kind (QR, 1D, color) or RFID inlay that links to online information.” What makes e-labeling so effective is that the code can digitally link consumers to a great deal of information about a product that can’t fit on a traditional physical label.
How can E-labeling Increase Efficiency?
E-labeling is not just another new high-tech trend. It’s a better and more efficient method of passing on information than physical labels. Here are a few ways e-labels can increase efficiency.
Provides More Information for all Parties
There are some products where physical labels are too small to provide enough information about the product to fit on the label. In instances where manufacturers have to provide information on a small physical label, only mandated or basic information is generally provided., and the printing is tiny and can be hard to read.
E-labels allow consumers, regulatory agencies, and manufacturers access to a large amount of information about a product and information, instructions on handling and assembly, coupons, or any other type of information that consumers may find necessary, informative, or helpful.
Reduces Production Costs
One rule that’s constant in any industry where labels are used is that the label must be changed when a product changes. Even the slightest change to an ingredient, product size or dimension, or instructions on use means a new label must be redesigned and reprinted.
With e-labels, any changes made to the product or its use are instantly updated, so creating new labels is unnecessary. In addition, changes are instantly updated, which saves time. By eliminating the need for developing new labels, businesses can save money on operation costs and relabeling products.
Improves Supply Chain Traceability
Automation is becoming a massive part of the manufacturing industry. As more and more manufacturing companies embrace automation, the need for accurate and reliable traceability becomes more significant for tracking products throughout the supply chain.
More Environmentally Friendly
Physical labels require a lot of paper and other resources that can harm the environment. When labels are misprinted or product information changes, new labels have to be created, and the old labels have to be discarded. Not only is this waste costly, but it’s also damaging to the environment. E-labels don’t require using as many natural resources as physical labels, making them more environmentally friendly.
E-labeling is growing in popularity among many different industries. Pharmaceutical companies, manufacturing companies, and other industries are now realizing the enormous potential and benefits of using e-labels. While upgrades and new systems may have to be put into place to accommodate a jump to e-labeling for your business, the benefits are well worth any changes in software, computers, and operational systems you may already have in place.
