Link a packaging Technical File to a product Technical File to ensure your product includes the correct packaging data for compliance and reporting. This is essential for regulations such as PPWR, where packaging materials, suppliers, and recycled content must be tracked at product level.
Feature access
All ProductIP users can use the Bill of Materials (BOM) feature. This feature is available for all plans.
Before you begin
Make sure:
- Your product Technical File is created
- Your packaging Technical File(s) are created
- Packaging files contain the correct supplier and material data
- You have access to edit the product Technical File
Video instructions
Prefer watching? A short step-by-step guide will follow soon!
Steps:
- Open the product technical file you want to link the packaging technical file(s) to.
- Go to he Bill of Material (BOM) tab.
- Choose if the BOM list should apply for the whole product technical file or for a single article of the product technical file using the dropdown menu.
- Click Add component.
- Click Select existing technical file in order to import an already created packaging technical file.
- In the search field you can search for created packaging technical files.
- Choose the packaging technical file you want to add to the BOM.
- Click Select article.
- Select the check box for This component is a critical component if applicable.
- Click Next.
- To edit or add the supplier data, go to the existing packaging technical file.
- Click Next.
- Choose the applicable Material groups.
- Click Save.
- The packaging technical file is now added to the BOM of the product technical file.
- Further packaging technical files can be added to the BOM in case of multiple articles in the product technical file by starting at step 4 again.
- Click the 3 dot button at the right side of each added component:
to add/delete/specify a subcomponent, specify the materials or view the selected answers.
For each added component there is a direct link to the existing packaging technical file.
For each added component there is shown the File status, the Reorder expiry date and the Supplier name.
What to do next:
- Repeat these steps to add more packaging components
- Open the linked packaging file to review or update compliance data
Tips and best practices
- If you work with separate packaging technical files (packaging materials/types), use Add subcomponent to merge it to a multi-material packaging BOM.
- Use separate Technical Files for each packaging type (for example primary, secondary, transport packaging)
- Reuse packaging Technical Files across multiple products to avoid duplicate work
- Use subcomponents to build multi-material packaging structures (for example plastic + paper)
- Keep supplier and material data up to date to ensure accurate compliance reporting
Troubleshooting
- My packaging Technical File is not listed
- Check if the file is created and saved
- Search using the correct article name or number
- Confirm you have access to the file
FAQ
- Why should I link packaging via the BOM instead of adding data directly?
Because packaging often applies to multiple products. Linking via the BOM allows you to maintain it once and reuse it across Technical Files.
- Can I update packaging data after linking it?
Yes, open the packaging Technical File and update it there. Changes are reflected wherever it is used.
Still having issuse? Contact ProductIP via helpdesk@productip.com.
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