Comprehensive Package Testing
A correctly designed and validated comprehensive package testing system is critical to ensuring that your packaged product is safe, reliable, and in compliance with industry standards. Above all the packaging used to transport your product to its end user must be able to function properly under a range of conditions, while protecting your product and performing as promised. Furthermore, well designed and executed packaging can mitigate risks, minimize material waste, and ultimately can result in significant cost savings.
What Is Comprehensive Package Testing?
Comprehensive Package Testing evaluates the package design performance of a packaged product prior to shipment. This includes packaging materials, packaging components, primary packaging, shipping containers, unit loads, and other key packaging characteristics. During transit and prior to reaching the end user, packaging materials must be able to withstand a variety of stressors experienced during the shipping process. Package testing is utilized to determine how well the package system used will be able to protect the contained packaged products during this process, by simulating the conditions experienced in the distribution environment.
How We Test Your Packaged Products Package System
Cold Chain Validation
Cold Chain Validation is achieved under thoroughly controlled conditions and ultimately confirms that a process delivers results that meet a predetermined set of acceptance criteria. There are two key critical variables involved in heat transfer that should be considered when designing cold chain packaging: time and temperature differential. In any particular distribution process, if there is exercised control over both the length of transit and the external temperature of the distribution environment, cold chain validation would be dependent upon the specific product requirements and the thermal technology used.
Distribution Package Testing
Distribution Testing is the evaluation of stressors on the physical product, materials, and containers that secure them during transit. A series of tests may be used to emulate the distribution environment of any given product. Distribution simulation replicates the common hazards encountered during the shipping and transportation of any given product, as those goods are distributed from production and ultimately are delivered to the end user. Deploying a variety of tests such as vibration, compression, impact, and drop testing with controlled, repeatable settings ensures an accurate depiction of how any given product will be able to withstand the distribution environment.
E-Commerce Package Testing
E-Commerce has evolved and risen significantly, presenting online retailers with new challenges as their packaged products are transported to their end destination. Package testing and validation protocols are critical to identifying weaknesses, addressing supply chain issues, and reducing damages incurred through transit. Whether products are sold directly to the consumer or through a third party platform or vendor, identifying and simulating the shipping environment hazards products face en route to the customer can ensure that the appropriate packaging is in place to withstand the demands faced in distribution.
Hazardous Goods Package Testing
Any packaged hazardous material requires compliance with regulatory standards to ensure containment of the material through the entire distribution cycle. Packaging safety requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) govern the transportation of hazardous goods by ground and air. Shipments containing hazardous goods must be packaged in performance packaging consisting of inner and outer packaging designed, tested, and certified for the containment of hazardous materials. These packaging systems can then be identified by United Nations (UN) markings specifying the certification for containment of specific hazardous material classes and packing groups.
ISTA Package Testing
The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a members led organization committed to creating a world-class data repository to better model distribution locally, nationally, and internationally. Developing procedures and protocols, according to which packaged products are tested and validated, ISTA is revered as the certification standard for package testing for distribution. ISTA’s Testing Protocol remains a series of testing methodologies well recognized within the packaging community, including prominent e-commerce retailers such as Amazon.com and club stores like Sam’s Club.
Package Integrity Testing
Package Integrity Testing is the evaluation of packaging to meet the desired amount of protection or containment of the packaging components. The physical capability of the packaging is evaluated to measure the protection of the package’s contents. This is performed by measuring: microbiological, chemical, product, and barrier attributes. Testing for package integrity provides assurance that a package is sealed properly, the product within is contained, and foreign contaminants remain outside the packaging system.
Why Purple Diamond for Comprehensive Package Testing?
Comprehensive Package Testing is completed on site at Purple Diamond and can be tailored to your specific testing needs. By testing for your packaged product’s specific packaging needs, we can simulate the conditions that your packaged goods will be exposed to during distribution. Purple Diamond is able to test packaged products as a single unit or as part of a full pallet load. Our engineers work with you throughout the entire testing process to address any concerns, consult alongside you to offer recommendations, and ultimately help you create the best packaging for your product.
Purple Diamond follows the testing standards and protocols set forth by organizations such as ASTM, ISTA, and TAPPI. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific package testing needs.
As always, Purple Diamond offers you the ability to either schedule an initial consultation, complimentary, OR you can book a facility tour and come on in and visit. Definitely feel free to stop in to the lab if you are close to the Lehigh Valley. The packaging and whole Purple Diamond team is here to assist you anyway that we can. The initial consultation can be either a phone call or a zoom call, whatever is more convenient for you. Reach out via the Contact Us page by either filling out the contact us form OR booking some time on the calendar below the contact form. Either way we will get back to you! Thank you so much for reading down this far and thank you for considering Purple Diamond as your dedicated testing, engineering, and design facility for all of your packaging needs.
Related Testing Standards
- ASTM D642
- ASTM D685
- ASTM D880
- ASTM D951
- ASTM D999
- ASTM D3078
- ASTM D3103
- ASTM D3285
- ASTM D4169
- ASTM D4332
- ASTM D4728
- ASTM D5265
- ASTM D5276
- ASTM D5277
- ASTM D5487
- ASTM D6055
- ASTM D6179
- ASTM D6344
- ASTM D6653
- ASTM D7386
- ASTM F88
- ASTM F1140
- ASTM F1886
- ASTM F1929
- ASTM F1980
- ASTM F2096
- ASTM F2250
- ASTM F3039
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Accreditations
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 The APASS program was designed by Amazon to help support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in obtaining certification of their products as Frustration Free Packaging (FFP), Ships in Own Container (SIOC), or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP).
