ISTA testing

The 6NAPSE Group carries out ISTA tests to validate the transport of products and packaging.

ISTA testing (International Safe Transit Association)

6NAPSE Group is certified as an “ISTA Testing Laboratory”. Our testing laboratory offers a testing service based on ASTM methods to simulate shipping conditions. The ISTA procedure consists of conducting tests on packaging to validate its compliance for international transport and loading on pallets. Our ISTA tests ensure the integrity of the products.

Several tests are required to validate the packaged product before transport: climatic preconditioning, compression, fixed displacement vibration or random vibration and drop/shock test.

• Drop Test: assessment of impact resistance during drops.
• Vibration testing: simulation of transport conditions to verify the durability of the packaging.
• Compression Test: capacity of the packaging to resist crushing and stacking of cartons during palletization
• Climatic Test: resistance to temperature and humidity variations.

6NAPSE Group ISTA Test Procedures

Series 1 – Integrity Performance Testing Without Simulation

• ISTA 1A – Packaged Products Weighing 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less
• ISTA 1B – Packaged Products Weighing More Than 150 lbs (68 kg)
• ISTA 1G – Packaged Products Weighing 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less (Random Vibration)
• ISTA 1H – Packaged Products Weighing More Than 150 lbs (68 kg) (Random Vibration)

Series 2 – Performance Testing with Partial Simulation

• ISTA 2C – Furniture Packaging

Series 3 – Performance Testing with General Simulation

• ISTA 3A – Packaged Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipments Weighing 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less
• ISTA 3B – Packaged Products for Shipments Less Than a Truckload (LTL)
• ISTA 3L-Small – E-Commerce Packaged Products
• ISTA 3L-A – E-Commerce Packaged Products 150 lbs (68 kg) or Less

Series 4 – Performance Testing with Enhanced Simulation

• ISTA 4AB – Products Packaged for Shipment in Known Distribution Channels

Series 6 – Member Performance Testing

• ISTA 6-AMAZON.com-Over Boxing
• ISTA 6-AMAZON.com-SIOC Type A

Series 7 – Developmental Testing

• ISTA 7D Test Procedure – A developmental test method designed to evaluate the effects of external temperature exposures on individually packaged products

In addition to ISTA certification, the 6NAPSE Group can also carry out standardized tests such as ASTM, NF EN 868 and ISO 11607 or according to specifications to qualify products and packaging.

The other laboratories of the 6NAPSE Group are also able to support manufacturers and transporters in identifying the origin of a defect on the packaging or to virtually simulate a fall.