Last week, GroentenFruit Huis and Corrugated Benelux Association (CBA) launched the CFQ Standard. This took place at the Fruit Logistica trade show in Berlin, Germany. Common Footprint Quality (CFQ), is a new quality standard for fruit and vegetable boxes. These are boxes made from corrugated and solid cardboard.
Boxes with the CFQ logo are perfect for the distribution and transportation of fruit and vegetables. "Increasing sustainability was paramount in the development of the CFQ standard," says Peter van Ostaijen, Director of the Corrugated Board Association (CBA).
"Using as little cardboard as possible was taken into account. Guaranteeing sturdiness and the most efficient loading grade were also important. As was stackability and the specific fruit and vegetables' sustainability. With this, each link in the chain - from producers to retailers - benefits."
Peter van Ostaijen (CBA) and Wim Rodenburg (GroentenFruit Huis) present the new CFQ Standard for cardboard boxes.
The CBA launched the CFQ Standard. This was, however, done in collaboration with the fruit and vegetable sector. It is now being manufactured by five corrugated cardboard producers in the Benelux.
These boxes are not only sturdy but also protect the products. They are easily stacked, which helps with the logistics process. These boxes are suitable for transporting fruit and vegetables.
An independent auditing firm checked the CFQ Standard. This control guarantees that boxes made under the CFQ logo actually meet the standardisation specifications and quality requirements.
"Standardizing packaging also offers advantages when mix pallets are being put together. Boxes that can be stacked well offer a sturdier pallet structure," says Wim Rodenburg of GroentenFruit Huis. Companied can easily switch between different layouts too. That is thanks tho the boxes' standard dimensions.
Everything about CFQ on the new website
People can read all about the CFQ Standard on the www.cfqbenelux.org website. Here you can see which suppliers you can approach for CFQ certified boxes. These can be corrugated or solid.
Suppliers' portal
A digital environment has also been developed for suppliers. Here, they can look up information about these fruit and vegetable boxes. Information such as their standardized dimensions and specifications. Suppliers can request a log in code for this.
Do you, as a supplier, want to take part in the CFQ Standard? Please make contact via info@cfqbenelux.org for the possibilities. You can read all the terms and conditions on www.cfqbenelux.org.
For more information:
Peter van Ostaijen
Corrugated Benelux Association (CBA)
Tel: +31 (0) 651 533 053
Email: peter.van.ostaijen@golfkarton.org
Denise van Vliet
GroentenFruit Huis
Tel: +31 (0) 793 681 131
Email: vandenoever@groentenfruithuis.nl