Screw Cap vs. Child-Resistant Cap: What's the Difference and When to Use Each

Cap you choose is more than just a lid—it's a critical part of product safety, compliance, and user experience. Two of the most common cap types used in the industry are the screw cap and the child-resistant cap (CRC). While they may look similar at first glance, they serve very different purposes.

28mm child resistant cap for liquid

In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between these two types of caps, their advantages, and when each should be used.

What is a Screw Cap?

A screw cap, also known as a threaded cap, is a closure that simply twists on and off a container. It's commonly used in packaging across a wide range of industries including:

Pharmaceuticals

Food & beverages

Cosmetics

Nutritional supplements

Advantages of Screw Caps:

Easy to open and close: Ideal for seniors or individuals with limited hand strength.

Reusable: Can be opened and closed multiple times without damaging the seal.

Cost-effective: Typically cheaper to manufacture and implement.

Good sealing performance: Often combined with liners or gaskets for air-tight sealing.

However, while screw caps are user-friendly, they offer no protection against accidental opening by children, which can be a serious safety concern, especially for medications or toxic substances.

What is a Child-Resistant Cap?

A child-resistant cap (CRC) is designed to prevent children from easily opening containers that hold potentially harmful substances—such as prescription medications, household cleaners, or cannabis products. They often use a “push-down-and-turn” or “squeeze-and-turn” mechanism that requires more dexterity than young children typically have.

child resistant cap

Advantages of Child-Resistant Caps:

Enhanced safety: Helps prevent accidental ingestion by children.

Meets regulatory requirements: In many countries, CRCs are required by law for certain types of products (e.g. U.S. Poison Prevention Packaging Act).

Tamper evidence: Many CRCs come with tamper-evident features, adding another layer of safety.

Common Applications:

Prescription and over-the-counter medications

Cannabis-infused products

Chemicals and pesticides

Vitamins and dietary supplements

While CRCs offer strong safety benefits, they may not be suitable for elderly or disabled individuals unless a senior-friendly CRC version is used.

So Which Cap Should You Choose?

Choosing between a screw cap and a child-resistant cap depends on your product type, target consumer, and legal requirements.

Use a screw cap for non-toxic products, food items, or cosmetics where ease of access is a priority.

Use a child-resistant cap when safety and regulatory compliance are critical—particularly for drugs, supplements, and hazardous materials.

Need help choosing the right cap for your pharmaceutical or supplement packaging? Xinfuda offers a wide range of both screw caps and child-resistant closures designed for safety, quality, and functionality.