ISTA Package Testing
Conditions during transit can be challenging and global transportation hazards are always evolving. The ISTA package testing procedures set forth by ISTA are critical to controlling potential costs, damage, and resources during distribution. Package testing conducted according to these standards supplies invaluable pre-shipment performance testing data. These insights in turn can be used to predict what will happen in large-scale operations and assess just how well contents will be protected during distribution.
What is ISTA Package Testing?
The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a member 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 evaluated and confirmed, ISTA is revered as the certification standard for package testing for distribution. ISTA’s Testing Protocol holds 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.
How To Test Your Packaged Product By ISTA Protocol
ISTA 1 SERIES: Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests - This testing protocol challenges product and package hazard durability.
- Procedure ISTA 1A - Integrity Testing for Packaged-Products Weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products, which evaluates product and package performance in comparison to alternative designs for products weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or less.
- Procedure ISTA 1B - Integrity Testing for Packaged-Products Weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg) – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products, which evaluates product and package performance in comparison to alternative designs for products weighing over one hundred and fifty pounds.
- Procedure ISTA 1C - Extended Integrity Testing for Individual Packaged-Products Weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less – Extended test procedures for packaged-products weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or less.
- Procedure ISTA 1D - Extended Integrity Testing for Individual Packaged-Products Weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg) – Extended test procedures for packaged-products weighing over one hundred and fifty pounds.
- Procedure ISTA 1E - Integrity Testing for Unitized Loads – Integrity testing for unitized loads made up of skids or pallets of secured products or packages of the same products shipping as a single load.
- Procedure ISTA 1G - Packaged-Products Weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less Utilizing Random Vibration – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or less using random vibration tests.
- Procedure ISTA 1H - Integrity Testing for Packaged-Products Weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg) Utilizing Random Vibration – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products, weighing over one hundred and fifty pounds using random vibration tests.
ISTA 2 SERIES: Partial Simulation Performance Tests – This testing protocol combines basic test elements of ISTA 1 (Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests) and ISTA 3 (General Simulation Performance Tests).
- Procedure ISTA 2A - Packaged-Products Weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products, evaluating packaged-products weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or less with considerations for international distribution.
- Procedure ISTA 2B - Packaged-Products Weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg) – Integrity testing for individual packaged-products, evaluating packaged-products weighing over one hundred and fifty pounds with considerations for international distribution.
- Procedure ISTA 2C - Furniture Packages – Partial stimulation test used for individual furniture packages.
ISTA 3 SERIES: General Simulation Performance Tests – This testing protocol accounts for a broad range of vehicle and transportation variations.
- Procedure ISTA 3A - Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment 150 lb (70 kg) or Less (Standard, Small, Flat, and Elongated Packages) – Packaged-product testing for distribution through the parcel delivery system weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or less with four specific package types: standard, small, flat, and elongated.
- Procedure ISTA 3B - Packaged-Products for Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipment (Standard, Cylindrical, and Palletized or Skidded) – Packaged-product testing for distribution through a motor carrier delivery system, where products are mixed in the same load, often from various shippers and intended for different destinations. Labeled as Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and appropriate for four different package types: standard two hundred pounds or less, standard over two hundred pounds, cylindrical, and palletized.
- Procedure ISTA 3E - Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment – Simulation tests for similar packaged-products in unitized loads for truckload distribution.
- Procedure ISTA 3F - Packaged-Products for Distribution Center to Retail Outlet Shipment 100 lb (45 kg) or Less (Mixed Pallet Configuration) – Simulation tests for packaged-products weighing one hundred pounds or less shipped as individual packages from distribution to a retail outlet.
- Procedure ISTA 3H - Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers – Simulation tests for mechanically handled bulk transport containers.
- Procedure ISTA 3K - Fast Moving Consumer Goods for the European Retail Supply Chain – Simulation tests for fast moving packaged-products shipped through the multiple-retail supply chain environment in Europe, both shelf ready and non-shelf ready packages including shipment of store-specific mixed loads in roll cages or mixed pallets.
ISTA 4 SERIES: Enhanced Simulation Performance Tests - This testing protocol covers twelve different package types.
ISTA 6 SERIES: Member Performance Tests - This testing protocol, performed by members to meet specific purpose and application, works in compliance with other published and accepted test methods.
- 6-FEDEX-A - FedEx Procedures for Testing Packaged Products Weighing Up to 150 lbs – FedEx procedures for testing packaged-products weighing up to one hundred and fifty pounds (domestic and international).
- 6-FEDEX-B - FedEx Procedures for Testing Packaged Products Weighing Over 150 lbs – FedEx procedures for testing packaged-products weighing more than one hundred and fifty pounds (domestic and international).
- Project 6 AMAZON.COM SIOC - Ships in Own Container (SIOC) for Amazon.com Distribution System Shipment (A-H) – General simulation test for packaged-products shipped through Amazon.com distribution system by vendors to Amazon fulfillment centers to final customer destinations via parcel or less-than-truckload.
- Type A - Parcel delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, less than 50 lbs, and girth equal or less than 165”
- Type B - Parcel delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, 50 lbs to less than 100 lbs, and girth equal to or less than 165”
- Type C - Parcel delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, 100 lbs or greater, and girth equal to or less than 165”
- Type D - Less-than-truckload (LTL) delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, less than 100 lbs, or girth greater than 165”
- Type E - Less-than-truckload (LTL) delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, 100 lbs or greater, or girth greater than 165”
- Type F - Less-than-truckload (LTL) delivery of individual packaged-products, pallet handling method
- Type G - TV/Monitor, parcel delivery of individual packaged-products, standard handling method, less than 150 lbs, and girth equal to or less than 165”
- Type H - TV/Monitor, less-than-truckload (LTL) delivery or individual packaged-products, standard-handling method, 150 lbs or greater, or girth greater than 165”
- Project 6 AMAZON.COM Over Boxing - e-Commerce Fulfillment for Parcel Delivery Shipment (Over Box) – General simulation test for packaged-products shipped through Amazon.com distribution system weighing seventy pounds or less placed into an Amazon-applied over box.
- Project 6 SAMSCLUB - Packaged-Products for Sam’s Club Distribution System Shipment – General simulation test for packaged-products shipped through the Sam’s Club distribution system in the United States typically shipped from a domestic or international manufacturer through one or more distribution centers to the club store.
ISTA 7 SERIES: Development Tests - This testing protocol is used in the development of transport packages.
- Procedure 7D - Temperature Test for Transport Packaging – Temperature testing for transport packaging evaluating the external temperature exposures of individual packaged-products.
- Standard 7E - Thermal Transport Packaging Used in Parcel Delivery System – Standard testing for thermal transport packaging used in parcel delivery system shipment.
Why Purple Diamond?
At Purple Diamond, our goal is to supply the guidance needed to ensure the proper ISTA test protocol selection is made when assessing your packaged products’ potential distribution hazards. The engineers at Purple Diamond understand your testing needs may be mandated or driven by regulatory application, where testing requirements can seem overwhelming or unclear. Whatever your testing rationale, we’re here to guide you in making the best test plan for your packaged products specific distribution environment.
Purple Diamond works in compliance with ISTA standards to evaluate your packaged products. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific package testing needs.
At Purple Diamond, we offer a free consultation or a guided tour of our facilities. Consultations can be done over the phone or on zoom, so choose what suits you best. To get in touch, go to our Contact Us page and fill out the form or book an appointment using the calendar below. Our goal is to assist you in any way possible, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 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
- ASTM D1596
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Accreditations
Affiliations
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).
At Purple Diamond, we offer a free consultation or a guided tour of our facilities. If you’re nearby, feel free to drop by and see our packaging and team. Consultations can be done over the phone or on zoom, so choose what suits you best. To get in touch, go to our Contact Us page and fill out the form or book an appointment using the calendar below. Our goal is to assist you in any way possible, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our website contact form is located at www.purple-diamond.com/contact-us, but we promise to get back to you soon, no matter which method of communication you choose.
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