Testing Standard:
ISTA 3H Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers
Standard Number
ISTA 3H
Standard Title
Products or Packaged-Products in Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers
Overview:
ISTA 3H is a general simulation test for mechanically handled bulk loads of the same product or mixed loads. 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 3H Testing as part of our packaging distribution testing services.
Rationale:
ISTA 3H – Products or Packaged-Products in Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers. Can be used to evaluate the protective performance of a mechanically handled transport container of the same product or mixed loads related to thermal conditions, shocks, compression, random vibration, and other stressors normally encountered during its distribution cycle. The procedure is used to create general simulation hazards in a regulated laboratory environment that is repeatable.
Key Points:
- Evaluates the performance of mechanically handled bulk transport containers
- Provides a guide to evaluate packaging systems in a regulated laboratory environment
- Challenges the product or packaged-products capability to withstand general transport hazards
Related Standards:
- ASTM D642 – Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- ASTM D4332 – Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
- ASTM D4728 – Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
- ASTM D6179 – Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
Related Testing Standards
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Achieving ISO 17025 Accreditation is the pinnacle in third-party laboratory testing accreditation. It confirms that the facility has management, quality, and technical systems in place to ensure accurate and reliable analyses.
ISTA is revered as the certification standard for package testing for distribution. ISTA’s Testing Protocol remains a series of testing methodologies and standards well recognized within the packaging community.
A select few companies are authorized by PHMSA as an approved third-party packaging testing laboratory in accordance with Hazardous Materials Regulations, critical to ensuring safe transport of dangerous goods.
Affiliations
With over 12,000 standards globally, ASTM International’s fully transparent standards development enhances performance and confidence in consumer choices.
The Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry’s peer-reviewed standards improve production through operational methods and industry recognized best practices.
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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).
