What is ISTA?

International Safe Transit Association Standards. International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is the author of test procedures that define how packages should perform to ensure protection of their contents. ISTA is already becoming one of, if not the most creditable standard to hold when it comes to Package Testing. You are now being asked to prove compliance to such standards, and distributing brands such as Amazon are demanding companies need to comply in order to sell through them. It’s more imperative than ever that companies, no matter their size, are on board with the standards before it’s too late.

Where does Amazon come into it?

Amazon worked alongside ISTA to create standards that involve testing and procedures required within the ISTA specifications. In short, anyone who can comply to ISTA 3, can comply to Amazon standards. Amazon are noting your companies ISTA compliance to deem your company compliant to them.

So, how can you do this?

Package Testing takes a variety of different forms. Depending on your businesses products, current methods of packaging and how and where you ship, your testing may vary. However there are 4 main areas of Package Testing that need addressing in order to comply to most specifications. These are Drop Testing, Vibration Testing, Shock Testing and Incline Testing. L.A.B provide systems that match these three areas and allow for testing of these areas, with the key being design that is user friendly and intuitive, with software that is accessible by all.

Drop Testing:

• Determine the ruggedness of packages and the effectiveness of interior cushioning when exposed to impact during material handling.
• Effects of dropping easily duplicated in controlled environment.
• Repeatable measurements and testing.
• Tests to match standards required for global packaging requirements.
• Most popular system for this is the AccuDrop™.

Vibration Testing:

• HV Systems accurately measure sensitivity to vibration.
• Specifically designed to meet wide range of ISTA federal standards.
• Ideal for wide spectrum of testing ranging from sine to sweep tests.
• Real data time simulation and random reproduction applications.

Incline Testing:

• Incline Impact Testers are used to simulate handling of palliated loads and rail car carriers.
• Variety of sizes available for varying loads and testing requirements.
• Complete line of impact recording instrumentation performance of your product or packaged system.
• L.A.B. offers standard models of 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000 and 8,000 pounds. Extended payloads up to 12,000 pounds available.

Shock Testing:

• Fully automated series of shock systems to measure product fragility levels.
• Simulation of real world shock pulses and impact energy levels.
• Manufacturers can test and optimise product design and packaging.
• Automated computer controlled shock and data analysis test system.
• Popular product for testing with Shock, is the AutoShock-II ™.