Testing Standard:
ISTA 3E Similar Packaged Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment or ISTA 3E Similar Packaged Products
Standard Number
ISTA 3E
Standard Title
Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment
Overview for ISTA 3E Similar Packaged Products:
ISTA 3E is a general simulation test for unitized loads shipped from a manufacturing location to a distribution center through a motor carrier delivery system. This procedure uses general simulation of actual transport hazards by full truckloads that include unitized loads made up of either single or multiple packaged products. Purple Diamond Testing offers ISTA 3E Testing as part of our packaging distribution testing services. If done properly, these ISTA procedures will shorten package development time, increase customer satisfaction, and optimize distribution costs. Related ISTA 3E Test Procedure: ISTA 3E, shipping testing, packaging testing, distribution testing, package validation, package performance, package integrity, package design, transit testing, vibration testing, compression testing, drop testing, temperature testing, humidity testing, shock testing, ISTA certification, package testing laboratory
Overview for ISTA 3E Procedure:
| Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | For ISTA Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Preconditioning | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| Atmospheric Preconditioning | Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Chosen From Chart | Optional |
| Shock | Incline Impact - Horizontal Impact | 48 in per second (1.2m per second) - 48 in per second (1.2m per second) | Required |
| Shock | Rotational Edge Drop | Height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| Compression | Machine Apply and Release - Machine Apply and Hold - Weight and Load Spreader | Calculated Test Force x 1.4 - Calculated Test Force - Calculated Test Load | Required |
| Vibration | Random | Overall Grms level of .54 | Required |
| Shock | Rotational Edge Drop | Height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
Rationale for ISTA 3E Similar Packaged Products:
ISTA 3E Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment. Can be used to evaluate the protective performance of a unitized load related to thermal conditions, shocks, compression, random vibration, and other stressors normally met in a Full-Truckload (FTL) delivery system. The procedure is used to create general simulation hazards in a laboratory environment that is 100% repeatable. Club Stores, such as Costco Wholesale and BJ’s Wholesale Club, require a passing ISTA 3E test report and need to be compliant to packaging requirements to become a vendor.
Key Points:
- ISTA 3E evaluates the performance of unitized loads in a Full-Truckload (FTL) ecosystem
- ISTA 3E provides a guide to evaluate packaging systems in a regulated laboratory environment
- ISTA 3E challenges the package and products capability to withstand general transport hazards
- Consider ISTA 3B if the unitized load is for a Less-Than-Truckload shipment
Related Standards:
- ASTM D642 – Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- ASTM D880 – Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
- ASTM D4332 – Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
- ASTM D4728 – Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
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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).
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