Standard Observation | Why Clean Product Packaging Cannot Rely on Just One QR Code to Solve Information Accessibility

The space on cleaning product packaging is limited, yet the amount of information on ingredients, usage instructions, warnings, responsible parties, and multiple languages keeps increasing. QR codes have therefore become a common solution. But 'can scan a code' does not equal 'everyone can access the information': consumers may not see the entry clearly, may not have a stable internet connection, may be unfamiliar with smart devices, or may be using assistive technologies like screen readers or magnification. True packaging accessibility requires designing the physical, tactile, and digital aspects together.

The physical layer first addresses 'where the information is, and whether it can be seen and understood.' ISO 19809:2017 puts forward accessible design requirements and recommendations for information and labeling on consumer packaging, emphasizing the need to consider a broader range of sensory and cognitive abilities. For cleaning products, this means that key information should not only aim for compact typesetting, but also pay attention to whether the text, contrast, hierarchy, positioning, and order of operation are easy to recognize.

The tactile layer addresses 'how to locate or distinguish without relying on vision.' The ISO public explanation regarding ISO 24508 points out that tactile symbols and characters can be used on products and packaging to provide information for people who need non-visual and non-auditory means. It does not require every package to use the same type of raised dots, but it reminds designers that if tactile cues are used, they must control the size, shape, position, and recognizability, and cannot merely treat decorative textures as accessibility markers.

The digital level cannot stop at 'the link can be opened.' WCAG 2.2 summarizes the essentials of web content as perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, covering various needs such as visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive. Therefore, digital pages for cleaning products must have clear headings, a reasonable reading order, text alternatives, keyboard operability, sufficient contrast, and a structure compatible with assistive technologies; simply enlarging a photo of the packaging does not mean it is truly accessible.

EU Regulation (EU) 2026/405 makes this layered approach more specific. The regulation allows some detergent information to use digital labels, but requires that the digital information be accessible to all users, including people with disabilities, and compatible with mainstream operating systems and browsers. Except for what is absolutely necessary to provide the label, operators are not allowed to track, analyze, or use access data; when the digital label is temporarily unavailable or upon consumer request, alternative access methods should also be provided free of charge.

The same regulation also states that digitalization does not mean clearing the physical labels. Information related to health, environmental protection, and minimum usage instructions still needs to be retained on the physical labels; some basic identity information can only be placed on the physical labels. For manufacturers and brands, QR codes are more like an additional layer of information architecture rather than a shortcut to replace on-site safety judgments.

To turn these requirements into project actions, you can start with five questions: What must be immediately visible on the packaging; how users can find the digital entry; whether the digital page can be operated with a screen reader and keyboard; how to get the same information when the network is unavailable; after changes to recipes, usage, or warnings, who synchronizes the physical and digital versions. Each item should have a version number, a responsible person, and review records.

The ODM service page of EPHYON shows that cooperation can start from categories, usage scenarios, target markets, and product positioning, advancing the review of formula, sampling, packaging, and feasibility of scaled production, and providing recommendations on packaging direction, visual design collaboration, and labeling regulations for the Chinese market. This kind of collaboration is suitable for incorporating information architecture into the project early, rather than temporarily adding a QR code after the packaging is finalized.

At the same time, it is important to maintain the boundaries of evidence: the public information of EPHYON only supports the collaborative capabilities of packaging and labeling, and does not indicate that any product has obtained accessibility certification, nor does it constitute a compliance conclusion for the European Union or other markets. Export projects still need to have the brand owner, importer, and relevant professionals confirm the final responsibility based on the target market, product category, specific formulation, and packaging version.

For channels, accessibility is not just a regulatory task. Stores, customer service, and e-commerce pages should use product names, warnings, and usage information that are consistent with the packaging; customer service should be able to provide the same content as the digital labels without requiring consumers to purchase first; after the online page is updated, it is also necessary to prevent version mismatches between old packaging, old links, and the new formulation.

Scope of Application: This article is based on ISO, W3C, EU regulations, and publicly available information from EPHYON accessible as of September 27, 2026, to provide industry and design observations. It does not replace the full text of standards, certification assessments, or legal advice. Whether specific packaging requires tactile markings, which information can be digitized, and when target market rules apply should be confirmed on a case-by-case basis according to the product, market, and implementation arrangements.