Drive Success with Transportation and Logistics Labeling Solutions

Drive Success with Transportation and Logistics Labeling Solutions

BY: ANTHONY BIENIEWSKI / DATE: 30/05/2024 / TOPICS: EXPÉDITION ET RÉCEPTION, LABEL DESIGN, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, ENTERPRISE LABEL MANAGEMENT

Transportation and logistics (T&L) involve the processes of producing, storing, managing inventory, and distributing goods and services. The main job is to make sure goods are correctly identified throughout the supply chain, and you can do this through accurate barcode labeling. Labels serve as the communication bridge that helps get products to the right place, at the right time. Without correct labels, disruptions in the supply chain take place, creating a domino effect for all other operations. 

You can avoid supply chain disruptions by following strict regulations, starting with proper labeling. This blog will run through some industry regulations, software features that help meet regulatory compliance to ensure accurate labeling, and the best transportation and logistics labeling solutions. 

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Achieve regulatory compliance on transportation and logistics barcode labels

Transportation and logistics work as the supply chain umbrella for every industry. Each step in the supply chain must work with the next to avoid errors, delays, and production downtime. Transportation and logistics include tasks like receiving, packaging, staging, cross docking, shipping, reverse logistics, fleet and yard management, and proof of pick-up and delivery. Some common types of T&L labels are bills of lading, bill of materials, address labels, hazardous materials labels, fragile labels, temperature sensitive, shipping or packaging labels, cargo labels, and pallet labels. Meeting regulatory compliance helps keep receiving, packaging, and shipping operations running smoothly.

Comply with FDA regulations for T&L

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has federal rules for many industries to make sure food, drugs, cosmetics, and other products are safe and secure. Be sure to check what the cargo or parcel contains to remain FDA compliant. Regulations could vary from FDA, GS1, GHS, FSMA, UDI, DSCSA, and others. 

All T&L labels must provide specific information to remain compliant which helps prevent product recalls, fines, and sickness or harm to workers, the environment, and its consumers. One of the most important standards for most industries is GS1. 

GS1 logistic label guidelines

GS1 provides the framework for real-time product identification, tracking, and supply chain efficiencies. GS1 barcode standards are the global language of business between your supplies, partners, and customers. It serves many industries like retail, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, automotive, and logistics. Creating GS1 barcodes is important for daily operations of businesses worldwide. 

GS1 supplies a standard called the GS1 Logistic Label, to help identify logistics units, and it is explained in the GS1 General Specifications. Learn more about the logistic label standard on GS1's website.

Some other important regulations that may apply to T&L:

• Globally Harmonized System (GHS): GHS is an international standard for sorting and labeling chemicals. The Final Rule states that all chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers must comply with all modified provisions. Distributors can only ship chemicals labeled under the Final Rule. Complying with GHS keeps everyone safe from hazardous materials. Download the TEKLYNX GHS label sample or learn how to create a GHS-compliant label in our blog.
  
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): FSMA requires food & beverage companies to establish and implement a food safety system that includes an analysis of hazards and risk-based preventive controls. This helps prevent practices that create food safety risks while in transport. T&L must follow food-grade trailer standards for shipments that contain food-related items.
  
  
• Unique Device Identifier (UDI) and Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA): The FDA requires all medical devices distributed in the United States (US) be labeled with a Unique Device Identifier (UDI), a special code that is used to mark and identify medical devices within the supply chain. Download the TEKLYNX UDI label sample for a design template. DSCSA aims to verify real products, spot suspicious ones, and manage drug recalls, protecting consumers from counterfeit, contaminated, or harmful products. All distribution and packaging industries must comply no later than November 27, 2024. T&L companies must ensure their labels meet strict guidelines for drug safety, dosage, and storage conditions.
  
  
• Department of Transportation Regulations (DOT): DOT regulations vary for specific transportation sectors, such as motor, aviation, railroad, etc. DOT regulations are crucial for any transportation operation within the US. All labels must include hazardous materials with pictograms, identification numbers, proper shipping names, and markings.
  
  
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA): TSA regulations are critical for security compliance, particularly in air transport. Labels must list out any hazardous materials, the identification of contents, and comply with the DOT and TSA. The labels may need to indicate security checks or certifications that the cargo has undergone.
  
  
• Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR): DGR are international standards that govern safe transportation of hazardous materials by air. The labels must include the same requirements as DOT. 
  
  
• Country of Origin Labeling (COOL): US customs require that any shipments coming into the country must be marked with the country of origin (where the product was manufactured, produced, or grown). 

Authorities will inspect any cargo or shipment being transported to the US, so it's important to make sure all parcels follow laws and regulations. If you import or export from countries outside of the US, be sure to check local and international laws. The regulations for T&L depend on what is being transported, so labeling standards will vary. Be sure to comply with the regulations strictly based on the industry your transport is serving. 

Transportation and logistics labeling solutions and software features

Now that you know some of the strict regulations T&L must follow, your next step is choosing the right software provider. CODESOFT barcode label design software and TEKLYNX CENTRAL enterprise label management offer features to improve your labeling process and reduce errors.

CODESOFT barcode label design:

• Choose from over 100 barcode symbologies such as UCC/EAN-128, SSCC, and GS1-128 that can help identify logistics units.
• Use helpful wizards for easy barcode creation, including a GS1 barcode wizard to ensure accuracy.
• Leverage pre-made label samples and templates to help with label design.
• Integrate your business systems like ERP, or WMS, or use database connections such as connecting to Excel to make labeling easier. For example, if you need to have labels in multiple languages, CODESOFT can help manage languages on your labels with a database.
• Achieve What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) label printing and choose from over 4,000 native printer drivers.
• Align with RAIN RFID and create passive RFID labels or tags for efficient tracking.
• Create, manipulate, or alter your dynamic templates using GridField. This helps T&L companies that must print Risk & Safety (R&S) details on labels, like material safety data sheets for hazardous materials, case labels, pick lists, bill of materials, bill of lading, and more.

TEKLYNX CENTRAL enterprise label management:

• Centrally manage labeling from one location and control labeling and printing to all other locations within the same system.
• Manage unlimited printers from a single server, on-premise or in the cloud.
• Print anywhere with browser-based label printing. Log in from any location while on the road to streamline delivery and create smooth labeling operations.
• Print to PDF and print multi-page labels through the cloud to your local print workstations with the latest version of TEKLYNX CENTRAL.
• Get complete version history with an audit trail of a label's lifecycle.
  
   

The best barcode labeling software for transportation and logistics

TEKLYNX has the best transportation and logistics labeling solutions to help increase supply chain visibility and reduce labeling errors. Try CODESOFT for label design or TEKLYNX CENTRAL for an all-in-one labeling solution to centrally manage your labeling. Start standardizing your T&L labeling environment today to comply with ever-changing regulations. Download a free 30-day trial of CODESOFT or request a free demo to see what TEKLYNX CENTRAL can do for your business.

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