Link the packaging Technical File to the related product Technical File. Together, they form the technical file for the packaged product. The link is created in the Bill of Materials (BoM) tab of the technical file.
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 is created
- The packaging Technical File contains the correct supplier and material data
- You have rights to edit the product Technical File
Video instructions
Steps:
- Open the product technical file you want to link the packaging technical file to.
- Go to the 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 link to an already created packaging technical file.
- In the search field you can search for available 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. This might be the case for packaging with food contact.
- Click Next.
- To edit or add the supplier data, go to the existing packaging technical file.
- Click Next.
- Choose the applicable Material groups.This is optional. You can also add the materials of the packaging in its technical file.
- 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 technical file to review or update compliance data
Tips and best practices
- Use separate Technical Files for each packaging type (for example primary, secondary, transport packaging)
- It is possible to add a packaging Technical File in the BoM of multiple product Technical Files
- Use subcomponents to build multi-material packaging structures (for example plastic + paper) in the packaging Technical File
- 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?
Packaging is considered as a separate article with its own Technical File and Declaration of Conformity. Files are linked via the BoM feature, not by duplicating data. Also, packaging may apply 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.
- Where can I see which product Technical Files are linked via the BoM function to a packaging technical file?
Open the packaging Technical File and go to the Related Files tab. In the section Bill of materials you can find the product Technical Files linked via bill of materials. Click on the product Technical File to go directly to the BoM of the product Technical File.
Still having issues? Contact ProductIP via helpdesk@productip.com.
