Testing Standard:
ISTA 3E Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment
Standard Number
ISTA 3E
Standard Title
Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment
Overview:
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 utilizes 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.
Rationale:
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 encountered 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:
- Evaluates the performance of unitized loads in a Full-Truckload (FTL) ecosystem
- Provides a guide to evaluate packaging systems in a regulated laboratory environment
- 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
Related Testing Standards
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