The first step is getting started…
1. Test the Package
It is recommended that you use a regular laboratory performance test.
2. Know Your Distribution Environment
Find out more about how products move, including the variety of channels used to ship your products. Use this knowledge to reduce exposure to the hazards of distribution.
3. Continuously Review and Improve
Distribution hazards change, as fo packaging materials. Review and re-test often.
4. Stay Up to Date
Technologies and advancements are always happening. Make sure to stay up to date on the requirements for your specific industry, or hire a laboratory to do so for you.
The need for package testing arises from the fact that packages are responsible for protecting and securing the product within during transportation and on the store shelves. Package testing is essential to ensure that the package can withstand various environmental conditions, such as temperature changes, humidity, and mechanical stress, without compromising the integrity of the product. Additionally, package testing helps identify potential issues such as leaks, breakages, or tampering that could impact the quality and safety of the product. Overall, package testing is crucial in ensuring that products reach consumers in good condition and meet regulatory requirements.
Testing Objectives
A screening test would be used to avoid serious problems in shipment, usually damage to the product. Screening tests can give the recipient confidence:
Simple and inexpensive to perform
widely available and accepted
utilize simple equipment
accommodate known and suspected severe hazards
Types of ISTA Tests
ISTA has organized its test protocols into Series, as follows:
ISTA 1A, ISTA 1B, ISTA 1C, and more...
This series challenges the strength and robustness of the packaged product. These tests are useful in accordance to the screening tests. Many companies use these tests as a benchmark over time to determine progress or lacktherof in testing, design, and the engineering or the packaged product.
ISTA 2A, ISTA 2B, ISTA 2C, and more...
This series considers tests with at least one element of 3 Series type General Simulation performance tests, such as atmospheric conditioning or mode-shaped random vibration, in addition to basic elements of a 1 Series type Non-Simulation Integrity test.
ISTA 3A, ISTA 3B, ISTA 3E, ISTA 3F, ISTA 3H, ISTA 3K...
This series is designed to provide a laboratory simulation of the general damage-producing motions, forces, conditions, and sequences of environments of transit. These are applicable across a broad set of circumstances, such as a variety of vehicle types, handling exposures, temperature, etc.
ISTA 4AB
This series is a general simulation test with at least one element of Focused Simulation, such as test sequence or test conditions linked to actual known distribution.
ISTA 6
This series are Member Performance Tests. The tests are tests created by ISTA members or by ISTA in cooperation with a member company.
ISTA 6-Amazon.com SIOC
ISTA 6-Amazon.com Over Boxing
ISTA 6-Amazon.com Mixed Case Simulation
ISTA 6-Amazon.com Parcel Delivery System
ISTA 6-Amazon.com Tier 3
ISTA 6-Amazon.com Tier 6
ISTA 6-SAMS Club
ISTA 6-Amazon.com 6-SIOC
ISTA 6-Amazon.com 6-Over Boxing
ISTA 6-Amazon.com 6-Mixed Case Simulation
ISTA 7
This series of tests are used in the development of transport packages They can be used to compare relative performance or two container designers, but are not intended to evaluate the protection afforded packaged-products.
