Catch up on what's happening with SPMC and its members.

Council and Member News

SPMC is making headlines.

From our collaborative work with other organizations…to our participation in webcasts and other educational forums…to our editorial contributions to trade publications and journals, SPMC and its member companies are actively engaged in the promotion of best practices within the flexible sterilization packaging community.

Sort news items below by Member News or SPMC News.

November 11, 2024

Storage of Preformed Sterile Barrier Systems Examined

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) has released a new white paper titled Preformed Sterile Barrier Systems Storage and Handling. Developed by the SPMC’s Technical Committee, the paper delivers recommendations and best practices for the storage of preformed sterile barrier systems prior to their use by a medical device manufacturer or contract packaging manufacturer.

September 15, 2024

SPMC Expands Its Membership Options

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) recently added an associate member category to its organizational structure. The expansion is a significant and welcome milestone for the council, which was founded and composed of converter members only for nearly 30 years.

July 12, 2024

SPMC Helps Improve Safety for Medical Device Packaging Worldwide

Consistency. Clarity. Reproducibility. In the early 1990s, these three words were in short supply when it came to testing methods for medical device packaging. In June 1994, the founding members of the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) came together to change that.

May 8, 2024

'Opening Possibilities' Hits High Note on Sterile Packaging Day

Sterile Packaging Day’s theme of “Opening Possibilities” struck a positive and unifying chord on February 7, 2024. The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) developed the theme and led the celebration on LinkedIn and at MD&M West in Anaheim, California.

April 15, 2024

SPMC Examines Risks to Sterile Medical Packaging

It’s often said that laws can have unintended consequences. When it comes to certain proposed environmental legislative initiatives, the consequences could severely compromise the safety of sterile medical device packaging.

March 29, 2024

Beacon Welcomes New Technical Director, Nick Packet

Nick brings 20 years of technical experience, market perspective, and sustainability insights to Beacon. As Technical Director, he joins a passionate and innovative team that engages and collaborates and with customers to develop the most efficient and effective packaging solutions for their products.

January 29, 2024

A Nod to Nurses on Sterile Packaging Day

Since its inaugural event in 2021, the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) has marked industry’s ongoing commitment to patient safety with a sterile packaging day celebration. This year’s event takes place on February 7 at IME West in Anaheim, CA, as well as online via LinkedIn.

January 20, 2024

SPMC Releases New White Paper On Rollstock Storage and Handling

Sterile barrier film manufacturers often have little direct input on how their customers will be storing the flexible materials they purchase from them. The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) has released a new white paper titled Rollstock Storage and Handling to provide general guidance and insight into how environment can potentially affect rollstock packaging materials.

January 10, 2024

SPMC Members Receive Industry Awards

Over the past year, several members of the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) have received industry recognition for their contributions to the healthcare packaging industry. These honors are a testament to the talent and dedication of those who voluntarily serve on SPMC. 

December 14, 2023

SPMC to Spearhead Sterile Packaging Day Celebration on February 7, 2024

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) is delighted to convene once again for Sterile Packaging Day 2024 on Wednesday, February 7. The SPMC invites the industry to join the celebration taking place in-person at IME West in Anaheim, CA and online via LinkedIn. 

November 17, 2023

SPMC Members Receive Industry Awards

Over the past year, several members of the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) have received industry recognition for their contributions to the healthcare packaging industry. These honors are a testament to the talent and dedication of those who voluntarily serve on SPMC.

August 28, 2023

SPMC Committees Run by Committed Leaders

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC®) has three committees run by industry leaders dedicated to informing members of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) about issues relevant to the industry. Here is a closer look at the committee chairs.

August 28, 2023

Striving for Safety - SPMC Continues Oversight of Packaging Excellence

Sterile packaging rarely penetrates the public’s consciousness, creating an awareness gap that the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC®) has been striving to close since 1994 and continues with ongoing guidance on issues affecting the industry.

August 28, 2023

SPMC Gears Up for Sterile Packaging Day 2024

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) is eagerly preparing for Sterile Packaging Day 2024, which will be celebrated at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West (MD&M West) conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. 

June 19, 2023

SPMC Holds Sterile Packaging Day for 2023

The industry celebrated Sterile Packaging Day for the third consecutive year on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) founded the event to recognize the collaboration that exists throughout the sterile packaging supply chain in delivering safe and sterilized medical devices and supplies to healthcare professionals. 

April 19, 2023

ASTM Award of Merit – Marie Tkacik is Recognized

Marie Tkacik, Director of Product Development and Optimization at Beacon Converters, has received the ASTM Merit Award, the highest award of one the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world.

April 3, 2023

SPMC White Papers Focus on Top Challenges in Sterilizable Flexible Packaging 

In its 28-year history, the individuals who serve on SPMC’s Technical Committee have contributed thousands of hours to the development of industry guidance documents, standard test methods, FAQs, and most recently, white papers.

February 16, 2023

SPMC Committee Tracks Industry and Regulatory Issues

Thin gauge aluminum foil is used in the manufacture of many pharmaceutical and medical sterile packages. Over the past five years, US sterile packaging manufacturers have experienced a series of challenges in securing converter grade foil from abroad.

November 4, 2022

SPMC Gets the Word Out About Its Mission

Sterilization packaging is a complex segment of the flexible packaging industry that is highly regulated and requires specific technical expertise. Since its founding, the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) has been a trusted source of technical information and guidance for packaging professionals and engineers. 

September 9, 2022

SPMC Forms Sustainability/Regulatory Committee

SPMC has formed a new Sustainability/Regulatory Committee, which will be working on ensuring that legislation around plastics, packaging, and packaging waste considers the unique requirements of medical device packaging.

August 1, 2022

Sterile Packaging Day Celebrated In Person, Online

On April 13, the epicenter of Sterile Packaging Day celebrations was located in Anaheim, California. With thousands in attendance or exhibiting at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West (MD&M) show at the Anaheim Convention Center, SPMC member company representatives relished the opportunity to convene with customers, suppliers and one another for the first time in several years. 

June 1, 2022

'Better Together' Resonates Across Industry

What does ‘Better Together’ mean to you? This was the question the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC®) posed to industry thought leaders during the lead-up to Sterile Packaging Day. Across the supply chain, influencers were eager to share their ideas. 

May 5, 2022

Beacon Unveils New Logo as They Celebrate Their 75th Anniversary

There are pivotal thresholds in the life of every company.  Crossroads where you take a look at where you are and chart the course for future direction.  Beacon committed to a future of growth in 2017 when they moved into a new facility that more than doubled their space.

April 7, 2022

Better Together This Sterile Packaging Day

In honor of Sterile Packaging Day (April 13), the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council will be hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross April 14 at MD&M West.

April 1, 2022

Industry Engagement Gains Momentum

Historically, SPMC’s member companies have voluntarily lent their technical expertise to the development of test methods and guidance documents. This work continues to advance through the development of industry white papers, active participation on national and global regulatory organizations, and an arsenal of 100 FAQs designed to help packaging professionals and engineers solve material challenges.

March 15, 2022

Sterile Packaging Day Celebrates Industry’s Collaborative Spirit

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, SPMC honors its supply chain partners on April 13. Despite the challenges of the last two-plus years, the sterile packaging community remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and serve patients and their caregivers.

March 1, 2022

Sterile Packaging Day 2022 To Be Celebrated on April 13

On the heels of last year's widely-successful inaugural Sterile Packaging Day event, the Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) invites the industry to celebrateSterile Packaging Day 2022on Wednesday, April 13.

January 7, 2022

Experts Discuss New 'Normal'

In this second installment of a two-part series, we continue our conversation with representatives from SPMC’s member companies regarding the pandemic’s impact on their client collaborations and interactions.

November 6, 2021

Experts Reflect On Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and altered countless industries across the United States. Many are still regaining their footing as they continue to adapt. 

October 29, 2021

Navigate Evolving Medical Device Packaging & Sterilization Regulations

Regulations surrounding medical device packaging and sterilization constantly evolve, and making matters more challenging, they vary according to the type of sterilization process the device undergoes.

September 6, 2021

SPMC: A Deep History in Protecting the Public

FPA’s Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) convenes on a regular basis with like-minded companies to develop consensus documents that benefit the entire industry. It’s an effective framework that has not wavered in nearly 30 years. 

July 6, 2021

SPMC Celebrates Inaugural Sterile Packaging Day

FPA’s Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) celebrated its first Sterile Packaging Day on March 10. The online event garnered support from all corners of the supply chain, culminating in dozens of posts, stories and videos on social media throughout the day.

May 26, 2021

Virtual Engineering Days Supported by Key Industry Associations

The Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council, the Society of Plastics Engineers, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, and the Plastics Industry Association are partnering with the online event.

April 5, 2021

Sterile Medical Packaging Earns Praise

On March 10, 2021, dozens and dozens of posts on social media lauded the critical job of sterile medical packaging in helping to keep patients safe. Here are some touching memories.

March 8, 2021

Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC Celebrates Sterile Packaging Day with Video and Donation

This year, Packaging Compliance Labs, LLC is supporting SPMC's Sterile Packaging Day by celebrating sterile packaging and the medical device packaging industry. PCL has created a video asking members of their leadership team what sterile packaging means to them.

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