The function of Packaging is:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Facilitates use of the product

Option (1) Rising standards of health and sanitation — Incorrect. This is a reason for the importance of packaging. People now prefer packed goods, because the chance of adulteration is less. It is not something the package does.
Option (2) Innovational opportunity — Incorrect. This is also a reason for its importance. New ideas in packaging open new chances in marketing.
Option (3) Facilitates use of the product — Correct. This is a function of packaging. The size and shape of the package should make the product easy to open, handle and use.
Option (4) Product differentiation — Incorrect. This is a reason for its importance. The colour, size and material of a package change how customers see the quality of the product.

NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Functions of Packaging As stated above, packaging performs a number of functions in the marketing of goods. Some of the important functions are as follows:
(i) Product Identification: Packaging greatly helps in identification of the products. For example, Colgate in red colour, or Ponds cream jar can be easily identified by its package.
(ii) Product Protection: Packaging protects the contents of a product from spoilage, breakage, leakage, pilferage, damage, climatic effect, etc. This kind of protection is required during storing, distribution and transportation of the product.
(iii) Facilitating Use of the Product: The size and shape of the package should be such that it should be convenient to open, handle and use for the consumers. Cosmetics, medicines and tubes of toothpastes are good examples of this.”

“Importance of Packaging Packaging has acquired great significance in the marketing of goods and services, because of following reasons:
(i) Rising Standards of Health and Sanitation: Because of the increasing standards of living in the country, more and more people have started purchasing packed goods as the chances of adulteration in such goods are minimised.”

“(iii) Innovational Opportunity: Some of the recent developments in the area of packaging have completely changed the marketing scene in the country. …”

“(iv) Product Differentiation: Packaging is one of the very important means of creating product differentiation. …”