ISTA Testing

Micom offers ISTA testing services to a wide range of industries.  ISTA, which stands for International Safe Transit Association, offers a group of test specifications based on ASTM test methods to simulate different distribution environments as well as screening tests.

Micom is accredited by ISTA as a test laboratory. Furthermore, our experts sit on the ISTA Testing Technical Council, the group in charge of reviewing the standards.

ISTA Testing Uses and Factors

Why Use ISTA Standards?

ISTA testing allows you to test your package under controlled conditions, therefore, giving you reproducible data that can be used to either support your design work and/or establish package performance. ISTA testing allows you to break down complex distribution dynamics into individual test parameters while using a limited number of test samples. It also allows for real-time observation of packaging failure which provides a better understanding of how the packaging reacts to the applied stress. This way, you get a more accurate assessment of your packaging design which can prevent over packaging.

Which ISTA Test Method Should I Be Using?

The following factors should be considered when deciding which ISTA test protocol should be used:

• Series tests are to be looked at as “screening” tests and do not represent any distribution environment in particular.
• Series tests are “partial simulations”.
• Series are general simulations and represent different distribution environments that are also modulated, in each distribution environment, per package shape and weight, distance and ambient conditions. When asked, our experts will most of the time recommend series 3 tests.