What Is a Packaging Test?

Packaging tests are used to simulate your distribution channels under controlled and accelerated conditions. Distribution stresses are varied: falls, impacts, vibrations… Depending on the distribution method, these stresses will always be present but at varying frequencies and intensities. The packaging test often includes several series of tests to evaluate the quality of the packaging materials.

Why Test on Packaging Materials?

There are several reasons why you should test your packaging materials:

1. To avoid financial losses
2. To ensure client satisfaction
3. To identify and rectify weaknesses in your product packaging
4. To protect your brand
5. To minimize losses in the various distribution channels used
6. To make your product greener
7. To ensure some peace of mind

To find out more about these reasons, see our full article on packaging: 5 Reasons You Should Do Packaging Transport Tests.

Micom’s Promise

Micom Laboratories offers packaging tests on individual boxes or on single and stacked pallet loads as well as additional material testing on packaging components. We are ISTA accredited and are also part of the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS). Our experts will be happy to discuss your requirements and help you decide which tests are most suitable for your needs.

We work according to specific test protocols as well as design custom testing programs that produce data for advanced analysis. As a follow-up to packaging testing, we review package damages and help our customers find cost-effective solutions. Our experts are members of the ISTA Technical Council and as such are well in tune with the new testing trends and prevalent test procedures.

Customers using our services are from different industries: Military, Aerospace, Electronics, Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Food, Industrial, Furniture, large Retailers and many others.

Main Package Testing Services

Conformance to US and Canadian Standards

Our tests are carried out with the highest regard for quality, control and accuracy, in conformance to all US and Canadian test methods, including:

• ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) – for all test methods
• ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) – D4169 and many others
• HAZMAT/UN
• CGSB (Canadian General Standards Board)
• SCC (Standard Council of Canada)
• MIL-STD (Military Standards)
• CCSB (Commodity Classification Standards Board)

ISTA Transport Packaging Test

ISTA has created testing protocols specifically for transportation that are categorized into 5 main series:

• Serie 1: Non-Simulation Integrity Tests (7 protocols)
• Serie 2: Partial Simulation Tests (3 protocols)
• Serie 3: General Simulation Tests (6 protocols)
• Serie 4: Enhanced Simulation Tests (1 protocol)
• Serie 5: Member Performance Tests (3 protocols)

Learn more about these tests by visiting our page about ISTA testing.

State-Of-The-Art Equipment – 10 Tests We Offer

Micom Laboratory allows for holistic testing of packaging products. Our equipment includes:

• Random vibration tester
• Incline impact tester (Conbur)
• Drop tester
• Mechanical shaker
• Compression testers
• Climatic chambers
• Clamp tester
• Altitude chamber
• Data loggers
• Fork lifts

Package Testing Services

If you have any questions about package testing, we invite you to contact us today. It will be our pleasure to help you answer your custom package testing questions.

We also invite you to learn more about our package testing services by consulting our brochure below:

DOWNLOAD

Additional Links of Interest

We also recommend you explore Accelerated Aging as well as Material Testing resources.

Helping Others in Need

We are community-focused. With the client’s permission, when we finish with a client’s packaging test, we give the remaining undamaged goods to charity in order to help those in need.