• essentially involves protecting the contents from the environment and vice versa
• the inward protection function intended to ensure full retention of the utility value of the packaged goods
• intended to protect the goods from loss, damage and theft
• able to withstand the many different static and dynamic forces to which it is subjected during transport, handling and storage operations
• require protection from climatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, precipitation and solar radiation, which may require "inward packaging measures" in addition to any "outward packaging measures"
• the outward protection provided by the packaging must prevent any environmental degradation by the goods
• this requirement is of particular significance in the transport of hazardous materials, with protection of humans being of primary importance
• must furthermore as far as possible prevent any contamination, damage or other negative impact upon the environment and other goods
• the inward and outward protective function primarily places demands upon the strength, resistance and leakproof properties of transport packaging

Storage Function

• the packaging materials and packaging containers required for producing packages must be stored in many different locations both before packaging of the goods and once the package contents have been used

Loading & Transportation Function

• has a crucial impact on the efficiency of transport, handling and storage of goods
• designed to be easily handled and to permit space-saving storage and stowage
• the shape and strength of packages should be such that they may not only be stowed side by side leaving virtually no voids but may also be stowed safely one above the other
• most efficient method of handling general cargo is to make up cargo units
• always facilitate the formation of cargo units; package dimensions and the masses to be accommodated should where possible be tailored to the dimensions and load-carrying capacity of standard pallets and containers
• where handling is to be entirely or partially manual, packages must be easy to pick up and must be of a suitably low mass.
• heavy goods must be accommodated in packages which are well suited to mechanical handling
• such items of cargo must be forkliftable and be provided with convenient load-bearing lifting points for the lifting gear, with the points being specially marked where necessary (handling marks)
• places requirements upon the external shape of the package, upon the mass of the goods accommodated inside and upon the convenient use of packaging aids
• strength of the package required for stowing goods on top of each other demonstrates the close relationship between the loading and transport function and the protective function