International Safe Transit Association
ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) is a member-based nonprofit that empowers organizations, and their people, to minimize product damage throughout distribution and optimize resource usage through effective package design. – ista.org. The association also develops packaging testing standards that are recognized globally and used to ensure the safe transport of products across various modes of transport, including air, sea, and ground. ISTA works with industry stakeholders, regulators, and trade organizations to promote packaging and logistics innovation, and to improve the efficiency and safety of supply chains. The association’s mission is to advance transport packaging technology and to facilitate the global movement of goods.
ISTA Package Testing – International Safe Transit Association
Conditions during transit can be challenging and global transportation hazards are always evolving. The testing procedures set forth by International Safe Transit Association 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.
The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1948. Its mission is to develop and provide standards and resources for the safe and efficient transport of goods.
ISTA is made up of members from packaging manufacturers, logistics companies, retailers, and testing labs. Its standards are recognized globally and used by thousands of companies to test and certify their packaging.
Some of the most common ISTA standards include:
– ISTA 1A: General Simulation Performance Test for Individual Packaged-Products
– ISTA 2A: Partial Simulation Performance Test for Individual Packaged-Products
– ISTA 3A: Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipments 70 kg (150 lb) or Less
– ISTA 6: Amazon.com Over Boxing
– ISTA 7E: Advanced Simulation Performance Tests
ISTA also provides education and training on packaging, shipping, and testing procedures. Its goal is to ensure that goods are transported safely and efficiently, reducing damage and waste.
What is International Safe Transit Association 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.
How To Test Your Packaged Product By ISTA Testing Protocol
ISTA 1 SERIES: Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests – This testing protocol challenges product and package hazard durability.
- Procedure 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 3E – Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment – Simulation tests for similar packaged-products in unitized loads for truckload distribution.
- Procedure 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 3H – Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers – Simulation tests for mechanically handled bulk transport containers.
- Procedure 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.
- Procedure 3L – Generalized eCommerce Retailer Fulfillment Test – Simulation tests for products purchased through online and e-commerce channels.
ISTA 4 SERIES: Enhanced Simulation Performance Tests – This testing protocol covers twelve different package types.
- Procedure 4AB – Enhanced Simulation Performance Test Plans (Web-Based Software Application) – Packaged-products for shipment in known distribution channels.
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 for Your International Safe Transit Association?
At Purple Diamond, our goal is to provide the guidance needed to ensure the appropriate 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 test your packaged products. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific package testing needs.
