General
I need to have my packages tested. What do I do?
You need to contact an ISTA certified testing lab capable of performing the testing you require. To find an ISTA certified testing lab that can conduct testing requirements, see the following steps. The process begins with the Find A Lab tool on ...
How would you label the faces, corners and edges of an irregularly shaped package such as a hexagon?
For test procedures ISTA 3A or ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC, the instructions state that you should "Develop a method to identify each face, edge and corner and document with a diagram." A common method for determining faces and edges of non-six-sided ...
What test should I select for ocean shipments?
ISTA Procedures, and other industry-standard packaging test protocols, don’t contain vibration (PSD) profiles for ocean shipment. Several studies have shown that vertical vibration during sea transport is so small that it’s negligible. This is not ...
Budgets and/or timelines won't allow for me to test all of my products, what should I do?
Best practice is to test all products but if budgets and/or timelines won't allow for that then some testing is better than no testing. Please keep in mind that this method of extending some testing knowledge to other non-tested items is intended to ...
How can I access the most current ISTA Test Procedures and Projects?
ISTA Members are granted exclusive access to the most updated versions of ISTA Procedures and Projects through the online ISTA Member Center. Non-member may purchase ISTA Procedures and Projects through the ISTA Store.
What does “replicate testing” mean?
Most ISTA Procedures and Projects require that only one sample be tested. Exceptions to this are ISTA Procedure 3F and Project 3K, both of which require multiple samples. In all cases, however, ISTA recommends that the tests be repeated multiple ...
What are Rule 41 and Item 222 in comparison to ISTA procedures?
These are different requirements, serving different purposes. Uniform Freight Classification (UFC) Rule 41 sets requirements for corrugated boxes used in rail shipment. The similar (but not identical) National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) Item ...
In order to pass an ISTA test procedure do all test methods need to be passed?
When performing an ISTA test procedure or project that will be submitted for ISTA recognition or certification, all required test methods, at the required minimum test levels, must have passed. If there is a method performed during the testing that ...
What are the test parameter tolerances/variances in ISTA procedures?
ISTA test procedures generally do not include tolerances on test parameters such as drop height, compression force, vibration time and intensity, etc. In such cases the requirements given in ISTA test procedures and projects are considered minimums; ...
How many samples are required for ISTA testing?
Most ISTA® Procedures and Projects require a minimum of one packaged-product to be tested. A single "pass", however, does not provide high confidence that other seemingly identical packaged-products will also pass the same test. This is due to ...