The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is a non-profit organization that develops effective packaging, methods, and logistics systems to prevent or reduce transit and handling damage to a shipment.
Many commercial shipping and transit companies such as United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express, and others require package testing such as certified ISTA package testing to hold manufacturers and supply chain partners accountable for providing structurally sound packaging in an effort to reduce product damage or loss.
ISTA testing standards are widely adopted geographically and promote economically balanced distribution costs. Our knowledgeable design engineers at the Quincy Resource Group will evaluate packaging strength and integrity for various handling and transportation conditions and assist you with securing the proper ISTA compliance certification for your product.
Our Testing Capabilities Include:
- Edge-crush compression testing
- Flat-crush strength testing
- Mullen testing
- STFI testing
- Slide-angle testing
ISTA Certification Protocols Supported:
- Series 1 - 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1H
- Series 2 - 2A, 2B,2C, 2d, 2E
- Series 3 - 3A, 3E, 3F
Note: UPS has stated in their tariff that packages moving in their system must be capable of passing ISTA Test Procedure 3A. ISTA 3A is now the MINIMUM acceptable testing standard whereas in the past ISTA 1A was the minimum acceptable standard.
ISTA Certification Protocols Defined:
ISTA 1 Series: Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests
This test series challenges the strength and robustness of the product and package combination. This test series is NOT designed to simulate environmental occurrences. It is useful as a screening test, particularly when used as a consistent benchmark over time
1A - Packaged Products 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less. Basic Requirements: fixed displacement vibration and shock testing.
1B - Packaged Products Over 150 lbs (68 kg). Basic Requirements: fixed displacement vibration and shock testing.
1C - Extended Testing for Individual Packaged-Products Weighing 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less. Basic Requirements: fixed displacement or random vibration, shock testing and compression.
1D - Extended Testing for Individual Packaged-Products Over 150 lbs (68 kg). Basic Requirements: fixed displacement or random vibration, shock testing and compression.
1E - Unitized Loads. Basic Requirements: vertical linear or random vibration and shock testing.
1G - Packaged Products 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less (Random Vibration). Basic Requirements: random vibration and shock testing.
1H - Packaged Products over 150 lbs (68 kg) (Random Vibration). Basic Requirements: random vibration and shock testing.
ISTA 2 Series: Simulation Performance Test Procedures
Tests with at least one element of a Series 3 type general simulation performance test, such as atmospheric conditioning or mode-shaped random vibration and at least one element of a Series 1 type non-simulation integrity test
2A - Packaged Products Weighing 150 lbs (68kg) or Less. Basic Requirements: atmospheric conditioning, compression, fixed displacement or random vibration and shock testing.
2B - Packaged Products Over 150 lbs (68 kg). Basic Requirements: atmospheric conditioning, compression, fixed displacement or random vibration and shock testing.
2C - Furniture Packages. Basic Requirements: atmospheric conditioning, compression and shock testing.
2D - Packaged Products Considered Flat. Basic Requirements: fixed displacement vibration and shock testing.
2E - Packaged Products Considered Elongated. Basic Requirements: fixed displacement vibration and shock testing.
ISTA Series 3: Simulation Performance Test Procedures
This test series provides a laboratory simulation of the damage-producing forces and conditions of transport environments. This test series is applicable across broad sets of circumstances, such as a variety of vehicle types and routes, or a varying number of handling exposures. Characteristics will include simple shaped random vibration, different drop heights applied to the same package, and/or atmospheric conditioning such as tropical wet or winter/frozen.
3A - Packaged Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment Test Project 3A is a general simulation test for individual packaged-products shipped through a parcel delivery system. The test is appropriate for four different package types commonly distributed as individual packages, either by air or ground. The types include standard, small, flat and elongated packages. Basic Requirements: atmospheric pre-conditioning, random vibration with and without top load, and shock testing.
3E - Unitized Loads of Same Product. Basic Requirements: atmospheric conditioning, compression, random vibration and shock testing.
3F - Packaged Products for Distribution Center to Retail Outlet Shipment 100 lbs (45 kg). Basic Requirements: atmospheric conditioning, compression, random vibration and shock testing.