[ES] What is ISTA certification and what tests does it use to measure packaging strength?

Sending a parcel can involve risks such as drops, shocks, pressure or climatic inconveniences. To prevent these from damaging the contents, the ISTA has a series of standardised tests to ensure the quality of the packaging when sending a parcel, so that the transported goods can arrive intact at their destination.

What is ISTA certification?

The International Safe Transit Association ( ISTA) is a global alliance of organisations focused on the specific concerns of transport packaging. It is made up of carriers, suppliers, testing laboratories, and educational and research institutions. Its mission is to provide companies with the means to minimise damage to shipped packages through the design of optimised packaging.

The ISTA certification therefore compiles a series of packaging standards used in the logistics industry to control different aspects of packaging in order to prevent potential defects.

These tests are important because the packaging must meet the most stringent requirements in order to prevent possible damage such as:

• Mechanical disadvantages
• Climatic disadvantages

Mechanical disadvantages

These are related to the preparation and movement of consignments:

• Strength. Packages tend to pile up either in containers, trucks or during the loading process in the warehouse. Therefore, they should be able to withstand the pressure.
• Energy. During handling, packages are susceptible to falling, tipping or being knocked over.

Climatic disadvantages

Weather can alter the quality, efficiency and strength of packaging materials. Care should be taken:

• Humidity
• Temperature variations

Tests and trials covered by ISTA certification

The first technical tests concern the design of the packaging (phase 1) up to the damage tests during shipment (phase 3). If these tests are not passed, design or manufacture does not proceed, so phases 4 to 7 are complementary to the first three.

Testing without simulation

These are used to test the strength and robustness of the packaging and are useful as a preventive test. However, they do not simulate environmental damage to the package.

These tests are numbered 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G and 1H.

Tests with partial simulation

These tests allow the pre-design of the packaging to be sketched. However, they are not tests which evaluate the delivery conditions.

They are numbered 2A, 2B and 2C.

General simulation tests

They assess damage during transport and provide a simulation with real potential drawbacks such as:

• Movements
• Pressure on the package
• Transport environment conditions

These tests count the numbers 3A, 3B, 3E, 3F, 3H, 3K.

Enhanced simulation tests

ISTA Project 4AB is a software application that generates enhanced simulation tests. Each company can request a customised test plan taking into account its own needs.

Performance testing by ISTA members

These are performance tests created by the association’s members, so they reflect the reality of transport as closely as possible. They can be either original or inspired by existing tests.

In this category are the 6-AMAZON.com, 6-SAMSCLUB or 6-FEDEX tests.

Development tests

These tests are used in packaging development by comparing the performance of two or more designs. The procedures are:

• 7D. Consists of a temperature test for packaging during transport.
• 7E. Test for thermal transport packaging used in the shipment.

Advantages of choosing ISTA-certified packaging

ISTA tests are very useful for:

• The development of new packaging
• Launching a new product
• Modification of existing packaging

ISTAtests should be carried out for the following reasons:

• To comply with the company’s own internal quality standards.
• To apply national and international regulations, such as those for foodstuffs or dangerous goods.
• To ensure that the customer’s requirements for choosing a supplier are met, which may be captured in a satisfaction survey.

In addition, ISTA testing offers multiple benefits:

• They ensure better product protection by predicting possible damage.
• They save money by reducing returns of damaged packages.
• Forge a loyal customer loyalty which contributes to customer loyalty, as they can be sure that they are receiving their orders in high quality packaging.

As you can see, thanks to ISTA testing, you can offer your customers approved packaging. Testing packaging design will prevent financial losses and also improve customer satisfaction.