New Zealand Names First Ever Certified Packaging Professionals to its Region

New Zealand has announced its first two Certified Packaging Professionals (CPPs) as the Institute of Packaging Professionals’ signature certification program continues to expand globally through a partnership between IoPP and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

The CPP designation has been conferred to Chris Hartwell MAIP, CPP, Packaging Innovation and Development Manager for Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited and Coster Ngirazi MSc, MAIP, CPP, Packaging Technologist for Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited.

The CPP designation is the leading mark of excellence internationally and a strong recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals. Approximately 2,000 packaging professionals have earned the CPP designation, a trademark of IoPP, since the program was launched in 1972. In addition to the new CPPs in New Zealand, a number of packaging professionals in Australia has attained certification under the IoPP-AIP partnership.

Education Director for Australian Institute of Packaging, Pierre Pienaar (Prof) MSc, FAIP, CPP, stated, “It is exciting to see the IoPP Certified Packaging Professional program reach another milestone on the global packaging stage with two candidates from New Zealand receiving their designation. This is an outstanding achievement for New Zealand, as well as the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) for seeing yet another country attaining CPP designation. The CPP program is an excellent investment in professional development and this credential defines them as proficient as a packaging professional; being recognised globally in no less than 52 countries. The AIP congratulates Coster Ngirazi MAIP, CPP and Chris Hartwell MAIP, CPP for this remarkable and historical achievement.”

Hartwell and Ngirazi both decided it was time become CPPs so that they could stand out as leaders in the industry. CPP is a designation some of the leading packaging companies in the world want their influential team members to have because it demonstrates broad competency in all major areas of packaging. CPPs today typically enjoy more senior, decision-making positions in their companies, and research also suggests that holders of CPP often out-earn their non-certified peers.

“Adding New Zealand to the list of countries recognizing the CPP program is another important development toward IoPP’s goal of internationalizing the CPP mark,” says Jim George, IoPP Director of Education. “We are actively working with other packaging organizations toward recognizing the CPP program in their countries.”

Under the AIP-IoPP partnership, members in good standing of either AIP or IoPP (at the Premium or Elite member levels) are eligible for the certification program. The program foremost requires that the candidate pass a 150-question online multiple-choice exam. They must also complete other qualifications, such as providing a Resume of Activities which enables them to demonstrate their industry expertise in multiple dimensions, subject to a review panel put together by IoPP and AIP.

For complete details and requirements on the CPP program, visit www.iopp.org.


About IoPP
The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) is the leading individual membership organization serving the educational needs of the packaging community. It is committed to providing continuing educational programs of interest and value to all packaging professionals. These programs cover all packaging related areas of business and technology, as well as fundamental principles. The organization, its activities and operations support the development of the best possible packaging programs and events. For more information, please visit www.iopp.org.

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