ISTA Packaging Testing

Intertek is certified by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) to conduct packaging testing to many requirements for its “Transit Tested” certification program, allowing member organizations to label their packaging and allowing non-members to obtain test reports verifying compliance.

ISTA Packaging Testing Overview

The only thing protecting your product from structural or environmental damage is the packaging in which it ships. Whether it ships in a cardboard box, a crate or a custom-designed case – either domestically or internationally -- you need to ensure the packaging meets requirements to avoid damage during transit. Our experts know the requirements and steps you need to take to ensure product integrity during shipment.

We test to a number of requirements, procedures and standards including:

• ISTA Series 1
  • ISTA 1A: Integrity Testing for Packaged-Products weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
  • ISTA 1B: Integrity Testing Packaged-Products weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg)
  • ISTA 1C: Extended Integrity Testing for Individual Packaged-Products weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
  • ISTA 1D: Testing of Individual Packages over 150 lb (68 kg)
  • ISTA 1E: Integrity Testing for Unitized Loads
  • ISTA 1G: Packaged-Products weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less utilizing Random Vibration
  • ISTA 1H: Integrity Testing for Packaged-Products weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg) utilizing Random Vibration
• ISTA Series 2
  • ISTA 2A: Packaged-Products weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
  • ISTA 2B: Packaged-Products weighing over 150 lb (68 kg)
  • ISTA 2C: Furniture Packages
• ISTA Series 3
  • ISTA 3A: Parcel Delivery System Shipments 150 lb (70kg) or Less
  • ISTA 3B: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Shipment
  • ISTA 3E: Similar Packaged-Products in Unitized Loads for Truckload Shipment
  • ISTA 3K: Fast Moving Consumer Goods for the European Retail Supply Chain
• ISTA 6: SAMSCLUB
• ISTA 6: FedEx A Packages Under 150 lbs

Advantages of Packaging Testing

Protect the Product

• Save Money. Each Time Your Product is Damaged During Shipping, You Lose Money
• Increase Brand Loyalty
• Reduce the Need for Trial Shipments
• Reduce Product Claim Headaches

Packaging testing can be done at many stages of the product cycle: prior to new product launch, with new packaging redesigns, when product damage is an issue in your company, or when your clients require testing. The best way to prepare is to include testing as early in the packaging design as possible.

Intertek’s packaging testing equipment includes rotary vibration, random vibration, incline impact ramp, mechanical shock, and free fall drop tester. Plus, our environmental chambers allow us to conduct a number of tests such as:

• Compression testing to assess warehousing stacking and load;
• Shock testing to assess handling, drop and impact;
• Vibration testing to assess transportation vibration;
• Atmosphere testing to assess environmental effects (temperature, humidity, and pressure).