The basic intent of packaging is to preserve and protect its contents, ensuring that it is delivered to the consumer in the state in which it was packed. The package has many roles to play in this journey, and it is the duty and responsibility of the packaging converter and the brand owner to ensure that this journey is successful.

Award programmes are a means of attaining recognition for achieving excellence in accomplishing this objective, and to promote such success to the marketplace. To judge these awards, a fair and equitable set of rules are needed to give all entries an equal chance of success.

For packs judged in a product category, the true packaging attributes such as fitness for purpose, protection of contents, pack construction, suitability of materials, handling efficiencies, new materials, etc, need to be considered,and it appears to be a better method of comparison.

A further innovation is that ONLY Gold Medals will be awarded in each category rather than the present ranking of gold and silver. Gold Medals will be awarded to entries in each category that, in the opinion of the judges, achieve the appropriate level of excellence.

Although more Gold Medals may be awarded than in the past, the strictly applied judging criteria will have the effect of raising the value of these awards.

To reward exceptional packs, the Sponsored Trophies come into their own. These trophies will be presented for the best entries in technical, material, sustainability and consumer features as detailed in the listing.
Time and again, the South African packaging industry has proved itself to be a world force, able to solve whatever complex challenges arise. The industry is fortunate to have competent, technically-skilled innovators, and these are the people that the Gold Pack Awards identifies and recognises.