ISTA Procedure 1E Unitized Loads

ISTA 1E is a basic procedure of non-simulation integrity performance testing. According to the ISTA 2014 Booklet Edition, “Test Procedure 1E is an integrity test for unitized loads of the same institutional packaged-products. A unitized load is defined as one or more products or packaged-products usually on a skid or pallet, but always secured together or restrained for distribution as a single load. Examples would be a stretch wrapped pallet load of individual containers, a single non-packaged machine banded to a pallet and a pallet with a corrugated tray, tube, and a cap.” Test 1E essentially has the same overview requirements as the other procedures in the series. It is known that this test of course can be used to evaluate the performance of a packaged-product. It is also known that the analysis of final data of this procedure could possibly compare or lead to new design alternatives. The inside product and the exterior packaged should be tested as one unit, throughout the entirety of the procedure. 

Throughout the ISTA Series Procedures, the shipper (the company and/or persons who owns the packaged product must mention what is seen as too much damage to the product. The damage tolerance level that is allowed must also be mentioned. And lastly, the original shipper must also examine the correct methodology in determining the correct product condition at the end of the test as well as acceptable package condition at the end of the test. 

In particular, this procedure may also be closely related to the ISTA General Simulation Performance Test Procedure 3E. This procedure could be used as a starting point for comparing various package design types. Purple Diamond Testing offers ISTA 1E Testing as part of our packaging distribution testing services. It is recommend that at least one sample is used per new test. If double testing is required to ensure one hundred percent accuracy, it is recommend that the test is performed one time, but also recommends performing the procedure five or more times using a new sample for each test performed. 

By the end of this test, packages that have already gone through this kind of testing must not be used for assuming the standard conditionings. One can find perfect testing conditioning by making sure that before the shipper sends the package, or sample, to us that the sample is “overpacked” for shipment. If it determined that the original packaging does not work and is not good, the packaging experts at Purple Diamond may recommend a new design or engineering outlook to get your product to market as fast and efficiently as we possibly can.