Primary packaging, or sales packaging

This is any packaging conceived so as to constitute a sales unit to the final user or consumer at the point of purchase, for example packaging that is in direct contact with the product, such as a bottle or can for soft or fizzy drinks.

Secondary packaging, or grouped packaging

This is packaging conceived so as to constitute at the point of purchase a grouping of a certain number of sales units (primary packages), whether the secondary packaging is sold as such to the final user or consumer or whether it serves only as a means to replenish the shelves at the point of sale. It can be removed from the product without affecting its characteristics. Examples include the plastic packaging around six bottles of soft or fizzy drink.

Tertiary packaging, or transport packaging

This is any packaging conceived so as to facilitate handling and transport of a number of sales units or grouped packages in order to prevent physical handling and transport damage. Transport packaging does not include road, rail, ship and air containers. Examples of this type of packaging include pallets or heavy wooden crates.

Service packaging

Any kind of primary, secondary or tertiary packaging that is used at the point of sale of goods or services to consumers, as well as any kind of packaging that is of the same type and is used in the same way. 

Examples include a bread bag at the baker’s, the paper wrapped around fresh and cooked meats at the butcher’s, etc.