Compared to other active packaging types, gas emitting packaging offers many advantages. Due to its strong antimicrobial properties, gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is an ideal candidate for antimicrobial gas-emitting packaging to prolong the shelf life of food products. Polymers commonly used in the food packaging industry were used in this study to develop a ClO2 emitting system without premature release. Two-layer films made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing citric acid and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) as precursors of ClO2 generation were produced. The generation of ClO2 was triggered by hot pressing the two layers together. The effects of relative humidity, temperature, and concentration of precursors on the release of ClO2 were evaluated. Relative humidity above 90% in the packaging triggered the generation of ClO2 faster and led to significantly higher gaseous ClO2 production. Furthermore, the active films released more ClO2 as the temperature increased. As compared to other labels, the EVA incorporated with citric acid and the LDPE incorporated with NaClO2 provided the longest sustained ClO2 release (93.83 ± 1.67 mgClO2 L-1) in a 28-day period. In conclusion, these two-component systems can be used as active labels on food packaging that release ClO2 over a longer period without premature release.