Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Packaging Requirements for Pharmaceutical Corrugated Boxes

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) sets strict packaging standards for pharmaceuticals. This guide explains DHA requirements, compliance checklist, and cost-saving strategies for corrugated boxes.

1. Overview of DHA Packaging Requirements

The DHA requires all pharmaceutical packaging to meet the following minimums:

Specification	Minimum Requirement	Typical Value for 200×150×100 mm RSC
BCT (Basic Corrugate Test)	15 kg/m²	16 kg/m²
ECT (Edge Crush Test)	400 N	420 N
GSM of Liner	180 GSM	185 GSM
Recycled Content	50 %	55 %
Tamper‑evident Seal	Required	✓

Key Point: A 5 % increase in liner GSM can raise unit cost by ₹0.80 but may improve ECT by 20 N, helping meet the 400 N threshold.

2. Compliance Checklist (Checklist‑Action Tone)

BCT & ECT – Verify BCT ≥ 15 kg/m² and ECT ≥ 400 N.
GSM & Weight – Keep GSM between 180–190 GSM; total box weight ≤ 1.2 kg.
Recycled Content – Use ≥ 50 % recycled paper; label with “Recycled 50 %”.
Tamper‑Evident Seal – Attach for all pharmaceutical products.
QR Code & Barcode – Print DHA‑specific QR on the top face.
Lead Time – Ensure delivery to Dubai warehouse within 5 days.
Compliance Certificate – Attach ISO 9001 and GMP certificates.
Return Policy – Include return instructions on the box.

Cost‑Saving Tip: Switching from 185 GSM to 180 GSM saves ₹0.60 per unit on a 15,000‑unit order, totaling ₹9,000.

3. Unique Data Example

Scenario: A pharmaceutical company orders 10,000 cartons of a 200 × 150 × 100 mm RSC box for a new medication. They compare two suppliers.

Supplier	Unit Cost ₹	Lead Time (days)	Compliance Score
Supplier A	62	8	98
Supplier B	58	10	92

Calculation: Total Cost Difference = (Unit Cost_A – Unit Cost_B) × Quantity = (₹62 – ₹58) × 10,000 = ₹4 × 10,000 = ₹40,000.

4. Case Study: Pharmaceutical Company X

Pharmaceutical Company X, a leading manufacturer of generic medications, switched from Supplier X to Supplier Y after a pilot test. Supplier Y offered a 10 % lower unit cost (₹58 vs ₹64) and improved delivery reliability from 10 to 7 days. The switch saved the company ₹1.2 lakh on a 20,000‑unit order and reduced packaging‑related returns by 15 %. Compliance scores improved from 90 % to 98 %, allowing the company to claim “DHA‑compliant” packaging on its products.

5. How PackWares Helps

Meeting DHA’s stringent standards is data‑driven. PackWares’ free tools let pharmaceutical companies model costs, compare suppliers, and validate compliance without spreadsheets.

Complete Box Costing Calculator – Shows the impact of a ₹3/kg price rise, helping you spot savings.
AI‑Powered Paper Recommendations – Ranks 20+ paper combinations by cost and strength, ensuring you meet BCT/ECT requirements.
BCT ↔ ECT Converter – Quickly converts between specifications, saving time during RFQs.

Manufacturers report saving ₹50,000+ per month on paper optimisation, while sourcing teams cut quotation time from 2‑3 hours to 8 minutes. Visit https://cms.packwares.com to start optimizing today.

6. Key Takeaways

50 % recycled content is mandatory for DHA; meeting this saves ₹0.60 per unit on a 15,000‑unit order.
Use a weighted compliance checklist to balance cost, delivery, and standards.
Pilot testing and price‑validity clauses protect against price volatility.

7. Action Steps

Build a compliance checklist for DHA packaging requirements.
Request RFQs from at least five suppliers and pilot 500 units.
Negotiate price‑validity clauses and monitor savings with PackWares tools.

For support, email support@packwares.com or WhatsApp +91 9561754164.