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Getting Started 2
Testing Rationale 2
Testing as a Demonstration of
Minimum Use of Packaging 3 Guidelines for Selecting and
Laboratory Tests and Distribution Hazards 3 Using ISTA® Test Procedures
Types of ISTA Tests 4 and Projects
Use of the ISTA Certification Mark
after Testing: Packaged-Products & ISTA 7E 5 PREFACE
The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a global
Specialized Test Protocols
Developed by ISTA 6 alliance of shippers, carriers, suppliers, testing laboratories,
and educational and research institutions focused on the
Member Performance Tests 6 specific concerns of transport packaging. We help our
members control costs, damage, and resources during the
Special Considerations for ISTA
Procedures and Projects 6-7 distribution of packaged-products by:
Know Your Distribution Environment 7 1.Creating and publishing laboratory preshipment Testing
Product Damage Tolerance and Package
Procedures
Degradation Allowance 7
2.Certifying Packaging Laboratories
Face, Edge and Corner
Identification 7
3.Certifying Packaging Laboratory Professionals
Samples and Replicate Testing 8
4.Certifying packaged-products
Retesting 8
Identification of Product and The ISTA Vision is All Packaging Systems are Designed and
Package Tested 9
Certified To ISTA Performance and Environmental
Test Parameter Tolerances 9 Standards.
Documentation of Tests 12
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GETTING STARTED application (testing of packaging for hazardous materials and
Following are four straightforward suggestions to improve dangerous goods, for example), or by customer
protective packaging effectiveness and move toward the requirements (purchase specification, for example). While
ISTA Vision. these situations usually have little flexibility in test selection,
they are still in the broad category of supporting decisions on
1. Test the Package. packaging suitability.
If you are not regularly using a laboratory package
performance test, start now. Even a simple lab test used Other types of tests are available but a detailed treatment is
wisely is preferable to trial and error or total reliance on field outside of the scope of this document. Material tests seek to
experience. characterize material performance for the use in design and
development, such as cushion curves. Engineering tests
2. Know Your Distribution Environment. seek to find a specific performance quantity, such as the
Find out more about how products move, including the deceleration experienced by a product in a package when
variety of channels used to move your goods. If you are a dropped from some height, as in an instrumented drop test.
supplier to shippers, help them explore this information. Use
this knowledge to identify sources of distribution hazards and TESTING EXPECTATIONS AND OBJECTIVES
observe or measure them. Use this knowledge to reduce An important consideration in the selection of a test protocol
exposure to hazards of distribution, to help specify the is the objective of running the test, i.e., what information is
performance of packages, and to select an appropriate needed to make the decision associated with this test.
laboratory test protocol. Broadly put, these specific objectives for each test might be
categorized simply as screening or prediction.
3. Continuously Review and Improve.
Distribution hazards change, as do packaging materials. A screening test would be used to avoid serious problems in
Review and retest even the most successful designs shipment, usually damage to the product. This test objective
periodically. Rapid situation changes, such as new markets category is a common one, and can adequately fill the needs
or distribution strategies, require immediate attention. of many users. Screening tests give the user confidence that
the chances of serious transport damage have been
4. Stay Up to Date. minimized and have the following general characteristics:
Take every opportunity to learn more about your products
and distribution, learn about new technologies and • simple and inexpensive to perform
procedures, and exchange knowledge with others who have
similar concerns. Educational opportunities, such as ISTA's • widely available and accepted
annual International Transport Packaging Forum™, are a
good source of update. The ISTA® Certified Packaging • utilize simple equipment
Laboratory Professional (CPLP) program is another
excellent educational and recognition tool. Find out more • accommodate known and suspected severe hazards
from ISTA Headquarters or visit www.ista.org.
• are not necessarily a simulation of the hazards of
TESTING RATIONALE distribution
The need for testing comes from the difficulty of predicting
what will happen in large-scale operations, coupled with the • achieve damage resistance by challenging the strength
requirement to make decisions prior to implementation. and robustness of the product and package (a strong
Essentially, every test comes from the need to make a product/package resists damage).
decision. The test results provide the decision-maker with
information to help maximize correct decisions. The Prediction is a more difficult expectation for a preshipment
decisions supported by preshipment performance testing of performance test. While screening seeks to avoid serious
transport packaging are typically about how well the package problems, prediction must allow the user to foresee more
will protect the contents during distribution. subtle effects, such as minor damage, occasional damage,
or non-functional problems with the package. In an ideal
Testing can also be a mandated activity as part of a package prediction situation, the tested samples and representative
development, new product release, or engineering samples of distributed products would be indistinguishable.
modification. This testing may be driven by organizational This is not always entirely possible given the technology mix
policy (corporate specification, for example), by regulatory available today, but it is approachable.
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Prediction allows the user to fine-tune cost and LABORATORY TESTS AND DISTRIBUTION
environmental impact as well as helping to avoid damage of HAZARDS
all types. By testing incrementally reduced cost and Four basic categories of hazards exist in distribution: Shock,
material-content designs, the near-optimum configuration Vibration, Compression, and Atmospheric. Each hazard
could be achieved. Prediction might also allow the user to category is reflected in a laboratory test method, although
design a package for a repeatable low level of damage, not all ISTA® Procedures and Projects include all test
consistent with an objective of lowest overall system cost. methods. Within each test method are more specific tests
Without a good prediction test to represent field that are used to simulate specific hazards in distribution. The
performance, this trade-off of package cost and damage cost following table summarizes these relationships.
would be largely guesswork.
Distribution Major Test Associated
Hazard Category Test Types
TESTING AS A DEMONSTRATION OF
MINIMUM USE OF PACKAGING Handling Drop Shock Drop
ISTA tests establish lower limits for packaged-product and Impact • free-fall
• rotational
performance, but in general do not set upper limits.
• on hazard
Therefore, used in their most straightforward pass/fail • hazard impact
fashion, ISTA tests do little to detect over-packaging Incline Impact
situations. However, with the addition of a "reduce to Horizontal Impact
Vertical Impact
damage" or "pass with minimum margin" approach, ISTA
testing can be used for the demonstration of minimum use of Transportation Vibration Fixed Displacement
Vibration • rotary
packaging. "Reduce to damage" means that if a packaged-
• vertical linear
product passes the test it must be redesigned with less Variable Displacement
packaging and tested again until an optimum level is • vertical
reached. "Pass with minimum margin" might involve • horizontal
Random
subjecting a packaged-product which has passed the test to • vertical
increased severity levels, determining when damage does • horizontal
occur, and then verifying that those levels are not overly • multi-axis
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TYPES OF ISTA TESTS
ISTA test protocols are approved by Test Series Groups and by the ISTA Testing Council. New protocols are initially given the
designation "Project" during their implementation phase. After a minimum one-year period, a "Project" is evaluated and will either
be adopted as an established "Procedure", revised and kept as a "Project" for another period of time, or be dropped.
1 Series protocols can reasonably be expected to be screening tests, with an increasing expectation of predictability through
Series 5. Whether this is true in any specific case needs to be evaluated by comparing lab and distribution results. This important
validation process should be a part of each user's normal operations.
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USE OF THE ISTA® CERTIFICATION MARK Displaying the ISTA® Transit Tested Certification Mark on a
AFTER TESTING distribution package indicates that the packaged-product has
For Packaged-Product Shippers: passed a particular ISTA protocol. It does not necessarily
(this section does not apply to the Thermal Certification Mark used for have a connection to damage claim payments, but shippers
ISTA 7E insulated shipping containers, see the section that follows) that display the Mark are certainly in a better negotiating
The ISTA Transit Tested Certification Mark on a package is position.
visible proof that the packaged-product has passed a valid
ISTA preshipment test. It gives the highest level of credibility ISTA 7E PROGRAM AND USING THE ISTA®
to the design, test, and packaged-product performance THERMAL CERTIFICATION MARK
verification process. The Transit Tested Certification Mark for Insulated shipping
Container’s (ISC’s) is visible proof that the container has
For legal and management reasons, ISTA only offers this been designed and tested in accordance to ISTA Standard
service when the lab which has done the testing is ISTA 20 by an ISTA Certified Thermal Testing Laboratory; the
Certified, the shipper/product manufacturer is an ISTA results have been submitted to ISTA for independent review
Shipper member, and all other requirements set forth below and performance certification by an ISTA auditor. If the
are met. ISTA cannot stand behind use of the Mark unless it documentation and results are approved, a certification mark
has appropriate control and oversight of all portions of the for that ISC will be issued for display on the ISC.
process.
In order for a package to be printed or labeled with the
Due to the nature of ISTA Procedures and Projects, which Transit Tested Certification Mark for ISC's, or to make claims
take into account both the package and the product, ISTA of ISTA thermal certification, all points in the following policy
does NOT certify packages for a packaging or services must be met:
Supplier. The ISTA Certification Mark is a benefit for the
Shipper member only. • The ISC must be design following ISTA Standard 20 by
a licensed owner of ISTA Standard 20 and tested in an
In order for a package to be printed or labeled with the ISTA ISTA Certified Thermal Lab (current with their lab
Transit Tested Certification Mark, or to make claims of ISTA certification).
packaged-product certification, all points in the following
• The testing must comply fully with all minimum
policy must be met:
requirements of ISTA 7E.
• The packaged-product must be tested in an ISTA • All samples must pass the test(s).
Certified Lab (current with their lab certification).
• The thermal data package results must be submitted to
• The testing must comply fully with all minimum ISTA.
requirements of a current ISTA testing procedure or
• The report must pass review and be approved by an
project.
ISTA Auditor. Certification comes from ISTA, not the
• All samples must pass the test(s). testing laboratory.
• The results must be submitted to ISTA Headquarters • The Mark, with package license number, may then be
(ISTA members can download our test report forms placed on the ISC.
from the Member Center).
Displaying the Transit Tested Certification Mark for ISC's
• The report must pass review and be approved by ISTA
indicates that the container has been designed and tested in
Headquarters. Certification comes from ISTA, not
accordance with ISTA Standard 20. It does not necessarily
the laboratory.
have a connection to damage claim payments.
• The shipper must be an ISTA member in good-
standing.
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vibration, top load, and other tests and
Package Type
Distribution
conditions. 3A overlaps with Procedures
Type Individual Packages 2D (Flat Packaged-Products for Parcel
Unitized Bulk Reusable
up to 150 lbs. (68 kg) over 150 lbs. (68 kg) Delivery System Shipment) and 2E
(Elongated Packaged-Products for
1A, 1C, 1G 1B, 1D, 1H 1E 3H 7A
Any
2A 2B 3E 7C 7B
Parcel Delivery System Shipment),
2C (Furniture) 2C (Furniture) although the 3A requirements reflect
4AB 4AB
General Simulation rather than the 2-
Specialized 2C 2C Not Not Not Series Partial Simulation approaches
Furniture Applicable Applicable Applicable and 3A is strongly recommended over
the use of 2D or 2E for small parcel.
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Catching or Restraining Packaged-Products after Free- PRODUCT DAMAGE TOLERANCE AND
Fall Drop Testing PACKAGE DEGRADATION ALLOWANCE
When performing a free-fall drop test sequence, package Before testing begins, a determination must be made as to
tipover resulting in secondary impacts should be avoided the definition of damage to products and packages. This
when possible as they can directly affect pass/fail test determination must include any allowable damage to the
results. This especially applies to tip/tipover-prone package product and any allowable change in package condition.
types such as tall, top-heavy, elongated, or flat. Since These determinations are made to allow the evaluation of
catching could create a safety hazard, care must be taken to packaged-product specimens after performance of all tests,
ensure personnel safety under all conditions. Clearly and assignment of pass or fail results. When possible, these
document on the Test Report whether or not secondary determinations should be quantitative in nature to minimize
tipover impacts were prevented, and any possible effects on results interpretation. Use of product quality standards, user
the test results. acceptability information, and other data is encouraged.
Equipment and Instrument Calibration ISTA intentionally does not specify what constitutes product
Equipment and instrumentation used to control laboratory damage and package degradation. These determinations
testing equipment or to record data from tests must be are dependent upon the particular product, package,
properly calibrated, traceable to national or international distribution system, market, customers, and other factors
standards, to ensure accuracy. Calibration intervals should and can vary widely. Therefore product damage and
be established with consideration of: allowable package degradation must be defined by the
shipper, manufacturer, damage claim group, and/or other
• Manufacturer’s recommendations stakeholders and interested parties. In most cases, the
• The laboratory’s overall Quality Program shipper/manufacturer is in the best position to define product
• Customer requirements. damage due to detailed familiarity with the product.
Sometimes others may contribute to these determinations,
ISTA requires equipment and instrument calibration on including carriers and test lab personnel. But in any case,
an annual basis. If there is the possibility that an definition and agreement should be reached cooperatively
instrumentation component has been damaged (e.g. if an among all entities concerned with safe arrival of the
accelerometer is accidentally dropped or impacted), it should shipment, low damage rates, cost effective packaging, etc.
be checked and/or re-calibrated before being put back into
use. FACE, EDGE AND CORNER
IDENTIFICATION
KNOW YOUR DISTRIBUTION ISTA® Procedures and Projects use a system of
ENVIRONMENT identification for parts of a test specimen package in order to
An important step in the selection and use of ISTA® simplify the test sequence and documentation process.
Procedures and Projects is the user's familiarity with the Occasionally, users may face the challenge of testing a
actual distribution environment for the packaged products packaged product that does not fit an identification scheme
under test. Understanding the flow of packages, how they easily. For example, a package with a hexagonal cross
are shipped and handled and stored, is critical to test section could have six vertical faces, a top and a bottom. In
selection and results interpretation. Users should regularly these situations, the user is advised to develop a logical
observe package distribution, both in the manufacturer's identification system that fits the test specimen in question,
facility and in warehouses, transportation facilities, vehicles and to document both the identification system and the
and customer locations. In some cases, users may use orientations for all tests conducted. The specified number of
measurement instruments and techniques to determine drops and drop heights shall be maintained as well as other
vibration, drop, compression, and temperature/humidity test levels, and how these tests were applied to the test
levels during distribution. This detailed knowledge, specimen shall be documented on the Test Report.
observation, or measurement may be very useful in test
selection, for example, the use of an individual package test
protocol instead of or in addition to a unitized load test
protocol when loads are broken down during distribution.
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SAMPLES AND REPLICATE TESTING RETESTING
Most ISTA® Procedures and Projects require a minimum of ISTA test protocols should be repeated periodically or as
one packaged-product to be tested. A single "pass", necessary to maintain the quality characteristics of the
however, does not provide high confidence that other packaged product on arrival. In addition, tests must be
seemingly identical packaged-products will also pass the repeated whenever there is a change in the product, the
same test. This is due to inherent variation in packaging package, or the process. Some changes are not included in
materials, package components, and the package contents this requirement, but only if the change is not associated with
as well as other statistical considerations. ISTA generally potential performance in any way.
recommends replicate testing, using new samples each
time. Having three successful tests of identical packaged Changes in the product can include changes in:
products helps improve the assurance; five or more are • Design (configuration, components, accessories, etc.)
recommended when possible. Even ten successful replicate • Size / weight (dimensions, shape, mass, center of gravity,
tests, however, do not guarantee that all future tests will also etc.)
be successful. • Materials (type, construction, fabrication, gage, etc.)
There is no definite rule about appropriate sample size; it Changes in the package can include changes in:
may depend on the purposes of testing, the desired • Configuration (individual package or unit load, container
confidence level, and the availability of samples. ISTA® type and sub-type, style, design, interior packaging, etc.)
Procedures and Projects specify a minimum number of • Size / weight (dimensions, shape, mass, caliper, gage etc.)
samples required to run the test and achieve package • Materials (corrugated, plastic, metal, glass, etc.)
Certification. In addition, a recommendation for replicate • Components (closures, labels, straps, pallets, skids,
testing is generally made. ISTA's policy is that if any sample wraps, etc.)
fails any of the tests, then the entire test is considered failed.
Changes in the process can include changes in:
The additional testing time for larger sample sizes need not • Manufacturing / assembly (vendor, location, automation,
be a barrier to better test technique. For example, most etc.)
vibration test systems will allow the user to test many • Filling (equipment, speed, automation, etc.)
packages simultaneously, thus saving considerable time. In • Distribution system (parcel delivery, LTL, intermodal, etc.)
this way, a sample size of five would have essentially the
same elapsed time for vibration testing as a sample size of When there is any doubt as to whether a change will
one. potentially affect performance, retesting should be done.
Determining when retesting is required may involve knowing
Occasionally, proper samples are not available to meet and tracking specification details of both the package and the
minimum requirements for a test protocol. The use of non- product, such as new or changed components, materials,
functional dummy products is not allowed in most cases, but interior packaging, closure methods, etc.
samples with minor, identifiable damage, such as minor
surface scratches, may be acceptable. The key is: when the RETESTING BASED ON CHANGES IN
test is complete, can we determine if the product was CORRUGATED BOARD
damaged according to the Product Damage Allowance Changing the grade of the corrugated board in the box
statement developed before testing began? definitely requires retest, even in those situations where
carrier regulations imply the "equivalence" of two grades of
corrugated (such as 200 psi burst and 32 lb/in ECT grades).
Another technique is to re-use a product for several test
In many instances, corrugated from these two grading
sequences with appropriate inspection to insure that the
systems will be different in construction and performance
product has not been damaged. The user must be cautious
and thus must be retested on a grade change. Basis
to not re-use a product that has become more susceptible to
weights (weight per unit area) of corrugated board
damage due to prior testing. In this way, one product and
constituents have been shown to be good indicators of box
three packages could be used to achieve a sample size of
equivalence or change. If the basis weights change, even if
three. The test would be run three times, re-packaging the
the board is rated for the same performance, a retest is
single available product each time.
appropriate. It is therefore strongly recommended that the
measurement and documentation of basis weights in
accordance with TAPPI (Technical Association for the Pulp
and Paper Industry) T410 and TIP 0308-01, FEFCO
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(European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers) IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCT AND
Testing Method No. 10, ISO (International Organization for PACKAGE TESTED
Standardization) EN 536, ASTM D646, or other accepted Whether reporting test results to ISTA for Certification or
industry standards accompany every packaged-product test approval, or documenting the test for future reference or a
where corrugated packaging is involved. customer report, identifying the test sample is vitally
important. Product description should include product name,
Retesting is also strongly recommended when distribution brand, model number, serial number, place and date of
channels change, as this may mean a different test protocol. manufacture, and similar information. It is strongly
An example is the opening of an e-commerce business (to recommended that photographs, detailed drawings, and/or
replace or supplement traditional retail distribution) that complete specifications of the product and any included
involves significant shipments direct to customer by small accessories accompany the report.
parcel carriers.
Package description must also be detailed and specific and
RETURN DISTRIBUTION TESTING should include type, style and material of packaging;
The issue of product returns, especially in specialized corrugated board composition; cushion details including
channels such as e-commerce, catalog sales, TV sales and performance; film gage and composition; application or
similar distribution, is an important one. Return rates for non- package forming details; mold numbers; any pallet or skid;
traditional retailing have been shown to often be much higher unitization method for unit loads; methods of closure, etc. It
than traditional retailing distribution. Returns happen for is strongly recommended that photographs, detailed
many reasons and are not all damage related. Accordingly, drawings, and/or complete specifications of both exterior and
a package must be capable of both initial distribution (source interior packaging accompany the report.
to customer) and return distribution (customer to source) in
these cases. Consider requiring a sample product and TEST PARAMETER TOLERANCES
package to be subjected to additional testing when expected ISTA test protocols generally do not include tolerances on
return rates are high or other marketing and distribution test parameters such as drop height, impact velocity,
factors indicate increasing significance of returns. compression force, weight, top load, vibration time and
intensity, etc. In such cases the requirements given are
LINE EXTENSION POLICY considered minimums; i.e., no variation or tolerance below
In some cases, and for ISTA members only, ISTA approves the stated values is allowed. If any particular test in a test
a limited amount of testing to represent more extensive sequence is below the required minimum, that test does not
testing. For example, a line of products with 30 models may count and must be repeated.
be able to be certified by testing less than 30 packaged-
products. This technique applies when the models and Where parameter tolerances are given (e.g., temperature
packages are very similar. Use of this technique for and humidity conditioning, etc.), they are required for
certification requires prior approval by ISTA staff, and is compliance.
considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact ISTA
Headquarters for additional information and to discuss your ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
specific needs. The following items are specific to certain Procedures,
Projects, or tests:
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Conditioning. If controlled temperature and humidity corrugated containers under high humidity, plastic containers
conditions are required or are to be used in any test under high temperature), these Compensating Factors can
Procedure, the best approach is to perform all tests directly be reduced. If ISTA recommendations for Compensating
in the conditioned atmosphere. If this is not possible, then Factors and/or Compensating Factor ranges are not
tests should be performed quickly after removal of test items followed, sufficient justification must be included in the Test
from the conditioned atmosphere, and test items should be Report.
returned periodically to conditioning as necessary to
maintain the required control. For Procedure 3A, the vibration top loads were determined
by empirical testing that resulted in correlation between
The temperature and humidity conditioning times specified in damage in the test lab and damage in the field. It was found
the Procedures are dwell times at the specified conditions, that top loads representing average load densities of
and do not include any time which may be required to nominally 200 kg/m3 (12 lb/ft3) caused unrealistic failures
transition from one condition to another. Some Procedures during lab testing. By experiment, proper correlation was
specify the transition times (ramp times), and those should found at 100 kg/m3 (6 lb/ft3).
be followed.
Non-Equivalent Alternatives. In many ISTA Procedures,
In certain situations longer temperature and humidity alternative methods are permitted for performance of some
conditioning dwell times may be required. There are tests. Examples: Drop, Incline Impact, and Horizontal
packaged-product configurations which may equilibrate Impact for Shock tests; Fixed Displacement and Random for
extremely slowly with their surrounding atmospheres. For Vibration tests. It must be recognized that in many cases
example, hot-filled containers in the interior of dense unitized these alternative methods are not equivalent; i.e., they will
loads may require a week or more to reach room not necessarily produce the same results. The alternatives
temperature. If necessary, make measurements or chosen for a particular Procedure should be carefully
calculations and extend the conditioning times accordingly. documented in the Test Report.
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SUGGESTED STEPS FOR SELECTING A • Check lab status. If the package is to be Certified by
TEST PROTOCOL ISTA, the performing lab must have a current
ISTA suggests consideration of the following items when laboratory certification, renewable every two years.
selecting a test protocol.
• Perform all tests, at the correct levels and
• Test rationale: required, experimental, decision in the correct order. ISTA® Procedures and
supported. Projects do not allow test levels, times, etc. below the
stated values, flexibility in the order of performance,
• Test objective and expectation: screening, prediction, nor the elimination of any tests. For packaged-
cost and environmental reduction, comparison to an product certification, deviations from test requirements
alternative, or demonstration of a minimum use of are not permitted unless pre-authorized by ISTA in
packaging. writing, and with the concurrence of all interested
• Test Series: Non-Simulation Integrity, General parties and stakeholders. Any such deviations, with
Simulation, Focused Simulation, Developmental, or ISTA authorization, must be thoroughly documented
combinations. on the Test Report.
• Resources: equipment, budget, time frame, Overtests are permitted if desired. For example,
expertise, experience, past history. certification to an ISTA test may be obtained if all
• Package type: weight, configuration, application. requirements of that test were met and in addition,
more or higher drops were conducted, the vibration
• Distribution type: unspecified or varied, special. test was run longer or at a higher level, the
Know your distribution environment. compression force used was greater, etc.
REMINDERS FOR USE OF ISTA TEST If the purpose of a test does not include ISTA
PROTOCOLS Certification of the packaged-product, then ISTA has
• Use care in selecting the right test for the situation. In no official involvement or responsibility and therefore
some cases, more than one test should be run and the test can be modified at the user's discretion. In
results compared. Field testing (trial shipments) may such situations it is not necessary or desirable to send
be used as an adjunct to lab testing. a Test Report to ISTA.
• Use the current test. ISTA® Projects and • Document results as tests are performed.
Procedures are continuously being reviewed, Record intermediate results, options selected,
updated and expanded. New and revised tests calculations made and any deviations. Photo,
are available on the ISTA website at www.ista.org and video and drawings are good documentation tools.
may supersede those in the Resource Book.
• Do not alter package condition.
• Use representative samples. Both products Interior inspection of the product or package (by
and packages should be as close as possible to opening the package) is not allowed during the
actual production items. In some cases this may conduct of an ISTA Test Procedure where packaged-
mean testing a product and package early in the product certification is desired. Doing so may alter the
development cycle and then later when production package condition and thereby invalidate the test
products are available. Samples should not have results. If intermediate inspection is desired, the
been previously tested, or shipped to a test lab recommended approach is to perform separate tests
without over-packaging or other consideration. for investigation and certification. First test one or
more packaged-products, inspecting them as desired
• Review the test before performing it. to determine intermediate damage. When any issues
Check for new sections, order of tests, or problems have been corrected, separately subject
documentation requirements. one or more new packaged-products to the complete
test, without intermediate inspections, to determine
• Damage/Degradation determination. Most pass/fail or for certification.
ISTA protocols call for determining the Product
Damage Tolerance and Package Degradation
Allowance before the test begins.
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• Determine results. Most procedures require a Product Description
pass/fail determination. This determination must be • Product name, brand, model number, and serial
made in light of the package and product number as appropriate
damage/degradation criteria determined before the
• Place and date of manufacture
test began. Details on how the evaluation was made
should be included in the test documentation. • Photographs, detailed drawings, and/or complete
specifications as appropriate
• Review the test. Was it the right test? Was it
done correctly? Is the documentation complete? Package Description
Would you understand it and be able to reproduce it
• Description of entire shipping unit
two years from now?
• Type or style of package
• Finalize. Distribute documentation. Send report to • List and details of packaging materials used
ISTA for Certification or approval. Make decisions. • Pallet or skid and unitization method, if applicable
• Method(s) of closure, if applicable
• Monitor Actual Shipments. If possible, obtain
information on performance in actual distribution of the • Photographs, detailed drawings, and/or complete
packaged-product tested. This performance, when specifications as appropriate
compared to results from the laboratory tests, can be
used to evaluate the effectiveness of tests and guide Packaged-Product Tested
future testing decisions.
• Gross weight of packaged-product
• External container size in inches (mm or m)
DOCUMENTATION OF TESTS
The following general information, in addition to specific
testing details, is required when completing a Certified Length x Width x Depth (L x W x D)
Laboratory Test Report:
• A picture or pictures should be included
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Conducts an ISTA Procedure The results of the test (pass or The results of the test (pass Examines the report to ensure
or Project. fail) are submitted to ISTA or fail) are submitted to ISTA that the test was conducted in
Headquarters using an Headquarters using an accordance with the test
accepted Test report Form accepted Test report Form procedure and for
(templates available for (templates available for completeness. Upon
Members at Members at acceptance of the report, ISTA
www.ista.org/members/) www.ista.org/members/) processes the report by
performing the appropriate
action.
Shipper IS an ISTA Member: Shipper is NOT an ISTA Shipper IS an ISTA Member: Shipper is NOT an ISTA
Member: Member:
Certifies the packaged-product; Assigns a database reference Retains a copy of the report Retains a copy of the report
assigns a database reference number to the report form; form on file for a minimum form on file for a minimum
number to the report form; retains a copy of the report amount of time. amount of time.
retains a copy of the report form on file for a minimum
form and certification details on
amount of time.
file.
Receives a Certification Notice. May NOT use the ISTA® Receives no correspondence. Receives no correspondence.
Transit Tested Certification
May use the ISTA® Transit Mark on the packaged-product. May NOT use the ISTA®
Tested Certification Mark on the Transit Tested Certification
packaged-product according to
No correspondence is received Mark on a failed packaged-
the license agreement and
ISTA policy. from ISTA. product.
Version 2011 13
ISTA® TESTS QUICK REFERENCE
1C Extended Testing for Individual Packaged-Products weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
1D Extended Testing for Individual Packaged-Products weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg)
1E Unitized Loads
2C Furniture Packages
2F Performance Testing of Shipping Containers for LTL Shipment National Motor Freight Classification Item
180 NCC/LTL
3A Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment weighing 70kg (150 lb) or Less
3F Packaged Products for Distribution Center to Retail Outlet Shipment, 100 lb (45 kg) or Less
3H Performance Test for Products or Packaged-Products in Mechanically Handled Bulk Transport Containers
14 Version 2011
ISTA® TESTS QUICK REFERENCE
6-FEDEX-A FedEx Procedures for Testing Packaged Products Weighing Up to 150 lb (domestic and international)
6-FEDEX-B FedEx Procedures for Testing Packaged Products Weighing More Than 150 lb (domestic and
international)
7A Project: Open Reusable Transport Containers for Loads of 60 lbs (27 kg) or Less and Unitized for Shipment on a
Pallet
7B Closed Reusable Transport Containers for Loads of 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
7E Testing Standard for Thermal Transport Packaging Used in Parcel Delivery System Shipment
Version 2011 15
ISTA® TESTS ORGANIZED BY DISTRIBUTION MODE OR TYPE
QUICK REFERENCE
3A 70 kg (150 lb) or Less Small, atmospheric conditioning, shock, and random vibration testing (with & without top
Standard, Flat, Elongated loads)
2D Flat fixed displacement vibration and shock testing
2E Elongated fixed displacement vibration and shock testing
3B Standard, 200 lb (91 kg) or less atmospheric conditioning, shock, impact, random vibration with top load,
tip/tipover
3B Standard, over 200 lb (91 kg) atmospheric conditioning, shock, impact, random vibration with top load,
tip/tipover
3B Cylindrical atmospheric conditioning, shock, impact, random vibration with & without top loads
3B Palletized or Skidded atmospheric conditioning, shock, impact, random vibration with top load,
tip/tipover, fork lift handling
3H Mechanically Handled Bulk atmospheric conditioning, random vibration & shock testing (optional compression
testing)
Other
Test Package Type Basic Requirements
2C Furniture Packages atmospheric conditioning, top load vibration, and shock testing
2F LTL Shipments atomspheric conditioning, compression/vibration, vibration, shock testing
(NMFC Item Rule 180)
3F Non Unitized DC to Retail atmospheric conditioning, compression, random vibration, and shock testing
100 lb (45 kg) or Less
4AB Varies Web-based Enhanced Simulation Performance Test
6 Series-Member Performance Test Varies Requirements set by member. See 6 series section.
Development Tests
Test Package Type Basic Requirements
7A Open Container 60 lb (27 kg) or compression and shock (optional atmospheric conditioning)
Less
7B Closed Container 150 lb (68 kg) fixed displacement and random vibration, shock, compression, atmospheric
or Less conditioning
7C Intermediate Bulk Container atmospheric conditioning, compression, random vibration, and shock testing
16 Version 2011