In a world where products are shipped across continents and climates, the need for robust packaging that can withstand transit hazards is paramount, no matter your industry. This is where ISTA can help. ISTA, or the International Safe Transit Association, is a global organization dedicated to establishing standards and testing protocols to ensure the safe and reliable transport of these products. By setting comprehensive guidelines and testing procedures that simulate real-world distribution environments and set an industry-wide standard of quality, ISTA empowers companies to protect their products from damage during transit, reduce waste, and deliver quality goods to their customers.
Understanding ISTA Standards
The International Safe Transit Association has developed seven series of package testing standards that are used to evaluate the performance and integrity of packaged products during shipping and handling. (There is currently no active Series 5 recommended by ISTA.) These comprehensive standards cover everything from integrity testing to enhanced simulation to member performance for companies like FedEx and Amazon.
ISTA Series 1
Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests
ISTA Series 1 testing challenges product and package hazard durability, without simulating actual transport conditions. This series of International Safe Transit Association testing is best for manufacturers looking for a cost-effective testing method. This may include testing for new product launches, package design comparisons, and quick tests that can assess existing damage issues.
Testing standards in Series 1 include:
- 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 Series 2
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). These tests are slightly more thorough than those in Series 1 by incorporating some simulation. Series 2 testing may be used for refining preliminary package designs and evaluating the durability of medium-to-heavy boxes.
Testing standards in Series 2 include:
- 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 Series 3
General Simulation Performance Tests
This International Safe Transit Association testing protocol accounts for a broad range of vehicle and transportation variations. This series of tests is much more comprehensive, and thus more predictive of tests in Series 1 or 2.
Packages that benefit from ISTA Series 3 testing include packages that ship through parcel delivery systems, LTL shipments, full truckload shipments, or products moving through retail supply chains. Packages being shipped internationally also benefit from this testing.
Testing standards in Series 3 include:
- 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.
ISTA Series 4
Enhanced Simulation Performance Tests
This testing protocol covers twelve different package types; however, it only includes one testing protocol: Procedure 4AB – Enhanced Simulation Performance Test Plans (Web-Based Software Application).
ISTA Series 4 testing mainly applies to packages that require complex distribution channels, or products that are considered “high-value” or “sensitive.” These products may include laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, sensitive medical machinery, etc.
ISTA Series 6
Member Performance Tests
The tests in this series are designed to meet the specific requirements of certain retailers or carriers, such as FedEx, Amazon, or Sam’s Club.
Testing standards in Series 6 include:
- 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.
- 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 Series 7
Development Tests
The final series of International Safe Transit Association testing protocol is for packages that require temperature validation performance testing. This may include food and beverages, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals.
Testing standards in Series 7 include:
- 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.
ISTA Testing with Purple Diamond
From Series 1’s basic integrity checks to the advanced, high-value product testing of Series 6, International Safe Transit Association standards empower industries to protect their goods, meet rigorous retail requirements, and support sustainable practices by reducing packaging waste. For companies looking to improve their shipping protocols, maintain product quality, and stay competitive, aligning with ISTA standards is a crucial step.
If you’re interested in exploring how ISTA compliance can enhance your business’s packaging and shipping processes, reach out to Purple Diamond. Our team is ready to help you navigate ISTA standards and tailor testing solutions that suit your unique needs. Contact us today to ensure your products are protected and your customers receive the quality they expect!
