148 entries from 17 countries were submitted for this debut installment of the iF packaging awards. A jury of experts selected a total of 53 winners in the general competition, awarding additional iF gold awards for outstanding design quality to five of those winners.

Contestants were able to submit entries in the following eight categories:

1. Sales packaging

2. Display and transport packaging

3. Packaging graphics

4. Packaging materials

5. Packaging machines and equipment

(focus of adjudication on ergonomics, safety, design quality)

6. Packaging design and functionality

7. Cross-category

8. Packaging concepts