Package testing

Military shipping container being drop tested

Testing modified atmosphere in a plastic bag of
carrots

Package testing or packaging testing

involves the measurement of a
characteristic or property involved with
packaging. This includes packaging
materials, packaging components,[1]
primary packages, shipping containers,
and unit loads, as well as the associated
processes.

Testing measures the effects and

interactions of the levels of packaging,
the package contents, external forces,
and end-use.

It can involve controlled laboratory

experiments, subjective evaluations by
people, or field testing. Documentation is
important: formal test method, test
report, photographs, video, etc.

Testing can be a qualitative or

quantitative procedure. Package testing
is often a physical test. With some types
of packaging such as food and
pharmaceuticals, chemical tests are
conducted to determine suitability of
food contact materials. Testing
programs range from simple tests with
little replication to more thorough
experimental designs.

Package testing can extend for the full

life cycle. Packages can be tested for
their ability to be recycled and their ability
to degrade as surface litter, in a sealed
landfill or under composting
conditions.[2]

Purposes
Packaging testing might have a variety of
purposes, such as:
Determine if, or verify that, the
requirements of a specification,
regulation, or contract are met
Decide if a new product development
program is on track: Demonstrate
proof of concept
Provide standard data for other
scientific, engineering, and quality
assurance functions
Validate suitability for end-use
Provide a basis for technical
communication
Provide a technical means of
comparison of several options
Provide evidence in legal proceedings:
product liability, patents, product
 claims, etc.
Help solve problems with current
packaging
Help identify potential cost savings in
packaging

Packaging tests can be used for:

Subjecting packages (and contents) to

stresses and dynamics found in the
field
Reproducing the types of damage to
packages and contents found in actual
shipments
Controlling the uniformity of
production of packages or
components
Importance of testing

Testing the ability of packages to resist insect

infestation[3]

For some types of products, package

testing is mandated by regulations: food.
pharmaceuticals, medical devices,
dangerous goods, etc. This may cover
both the design qualification, periodic
retesting, and control of the packaging
processes. Processes may be controlled
by a variety of quality management
systems such as HACCP, statistical
process control, validation protocols, ISO
9000, etc.

For unregulated products, testing can be

required by a contract or governing
specification. The degree of package
testing can often be a business decision.
Risk management may involve factors
such as

costs of packaging
costs of package testing
value of contents being shipped
value of customer’s good will
product liability exposure
other potential costs of inadequate
packaging
 etc.

With distribution packaging, one vital

packaging development consideration is
to determine if a packaged-product is
likely to be damaged in the process of
getting to the final customer. A primary
purpose of a package is to ensure the
safety of a product during transportation
and storage. If a product is damaged
during this process, then the package
has failed to accomplish a primary
objective and the customer will either
return the product or be unlikely to
purchase the product altogether.[4]

Package testing is often a formal part of

Project management programs.
Packages are usually tested when there
is a new packaging design, a revision to a
current design, a change in packaging
material, and various other reasons.
Testing a new packaging design before
full scale manufacturing can save time
and money.[5]

Laboratory affiliation
Many suppliers or vendors offer limited
material and package testing as a free
service to customers. It is common for
packagers to partner with reputable
suppliers: Many suppliers have certified
quality management systems such as
ISO 9000 or allow customers to conduct
technical and quality audits. Data from
testing is commonly shared. There is
sometimes a risk that supplier testing
may tend to be self-serving and not
completely impartial.

Large companies often have their own

packaging staff and a package testing
and development laboratory. Corporate
engineers know their products,
manufacturing capabilities, logistics
system, and their customers best. Cost
reduction of existing products and cost
avoidance for new products have been
documented.[6]

Another option is to use a paid

consultant, Independent contractor, and
third-party independent testing
laboratory. They are commonly chosen
for specialized expertise, for access to
certain test equipment, for surge
projects, or where independent testing is
otherwise required. Many have
certifications and accreditations: ISO
9000, ISO/IEC 17025, and various
governing agencies.

Procedures
Several standards organizations publish
test methods for package testing.
Included are:

International Organization for

Standardization, ISO
 ASTM International
European Committee for
Standardization. CEN
TAPPI
Military Standards[7]
ISTA (International Safe Transit
Association)
etc.

Governments and regulators publish

some packaging test methods. There are
also many corporate test standards in
use. A review of technical literature and
patents provides good options to
consider for test procedures.
Researchers are not restricted to the use
of published standards but can modify
existing test methods or develop
procedures specific to their particular
needs. If a test is conducted with a
deviation from a published test method
or if a new method is employed, the test
report must fully disclose the procedure.

Materials testing

Materials and components are often evaluated on a

universal testing machine
universal testing machine

The basis of packaging design and

performance is the component materials.
The physical properties, and sometimes
chemical properties, of the materials
need to be communicated to packaging
engineers to aid in the design process.
Suppliers publish data sheets and other
technical communications that include
the typical or average relevant physical
properties and the test method these are
based upon. Sometimes these are
adequate. Other times, additional
material and component testing is
required by the packager or supplier to
better define certain characteristics.
When a final package design is complete,
the specifications for the component
materials needs to be communicated to
suppliers. Packaging materials testing is
often needed to identify the critical
material characteristics and engineering
tolerances. These are used to prepare
and enforce specifications.

For example, shrink film data might

include: tensile strength (MD and CD),
elongation, Elastic modulus, surface
energy, thickness, Moisture vapor
transmission rate, Oxygen transmission
rate, heat seal strength, heat sealing
conditions, heat shrinking conditions, etc.
Average and process capability are often
provided. The chemical properties
related for use as Food contact materials
may be necessary.

Testing with people

Some types of package testing do not
use scientific instruments but use people
for the evaluation.

The regulations for child-resistant

packaging require a test protocol that
involves children. Samples of the test
packages are given to a prescribed
population of children. With specified 50-
child panels, a high percentage must be
unable to open a test package within 5
minutes.[8] Adults are also tested for their
ability to open a child-resistant package.

Consumer packages are often evaluated

by focus groups. People evaluate the
package features in a room monitored by
video cameras. The consumer responses
are treated qualitatively for feedback into
the new packaging process.

Some food packagers use organoleptic

evaluations. People use their senses
(taste, smell, etc.) to determine if a
package component has tainted the food
in the package.

A new package may be evaluated in a

test market that uses people to try the
packages at home. Consumers have the
opportunity to buy a product, perhaps
with a coupon or discount. Return
postcards or Internet sites provide
feedback to package developers.
Perhaps the most critical feedback is
repeated sales items in the new package.
Packaging evaluations are an important
part of marketing research.

Legibility of text on packaging and labels

is always subjective due to the inherent
variations of people. Efforts have been
made to help better quantify this by
people in a laboratory: still using people
for the evaluation but also employing a
test apparatus to help reduce
variability.[9][10]

Some laboratory tests are conducted but

still result in an observation by people.
Some test procedures call for a judgment
by test engineers whether or not pre-
established acceptance criteria have
been met.

Relevant standards

ASTM D7298 Test Method for

Measurement of Comparative
Legibility by Means of Polarizing Filter
Instrumentation.
ASTM E460 Practice for Determining
Effect of Packaging on Food and
Beverage Products During Storage
ASTM E619 Practice for Evaluating
Foreign Odors in Paper Packaging
ASTM E1870 Test Method for Odor
and Taste Transfer from Polymeric
Packaging Film
ASTM 2609 Test Method for Odor and
Flavor Transfer from Rigid Polymeric
Packaging
ISO 16820 Sensory Analysis –
Methodology – Sequential Analysis
ISO 5495 Sensory Analysis –
Methodology – Paired Comparisons
ISO 13302 Sensory Analysis –
Methods for assessing modifications
 to the flavour of foodstuffs due to
packaging

Conditioning, testing
atmosphere

Environmental chamber to simulate temperatures

and humidities encountered by packages

The environmental conditions of testing

are critical. The measured performance
of many packages is affected by the
conditioning and testing atmospheres.
For example, paper based products are
strongly affected by their moisture
content: Relative humidity needs to be
controlled. Plastic products are often
strongly affected by temperature.[11]

Conditions of 23 °C (73.4 °F) and 50%

relative humidity are common but other
standard testing conditions are also
published in material and package test
standards. Engineering tolerances for the
conditions are also specified. Often the
package is conditioned to the specified
environment and tested under those
conditions. This can be in a conditioned
room or in a chamber enclosing the test.
With some testing, the package is
conditioned to a specified environment,
then is removed to ambient conditions
and quickly tested. The test report needs
to state the actual conditions used.

Engineers have found it important to

know the effects of the full range of
expected conditions on package
performance. This can be through
investigating published technical
literature, obtaining supplier
documentation, or by conducting
controlled tests at diverse conditions.

Relevant Standards

ASTM D4332- Standard Practice for

Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
 Packaging Components for Testing
ASTM E171- Standard Specification for
Standard Atmospheres for
Conditioning and Testing Flexible
Barrier Materials
ASTM F2825 Standard Practice for
Climate Stressing of Packaging
Systems for Single Parcel Delivery

Degradation of product

Heat sealer used to prepare bag of lettuce for shelf

life testing
Laboratory tests can help determine the
shelf life of a package and its contents
under a variety of conditions. This is
particularly important for foods,
pharmaceuticals, some chemicals, and a
variety of products. The testing is usually
product specific: the mechanisms of
degradation are often different.
Exposures to expected and elevated
temperatures and humidities are
commonly used for shelf life testing. The
ability of packaging to control product
degradation is frequently a subject of
laboratory and field evaluations.

Relevant tests
 ASTM E2454 Standard Guide for
Sensory Evaluation Methods to
Determine the Sensory Shelf -life of
Consumer Products
DoD 4140.27M Shelf Life Management
Manual, 2000
ISO 11987 Ophthalmic Optics, Contact
Lenses, Determination of Shelf Life

Barrier Properties

Many products degrade with exposure to

the atmosphere: foods, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, etc. The ability of a package
to control the permeation and
penetration of gasses is vital for many
types of products. Tests are often
conducted on the packaging materials
but also on the completed packages,
sometimes after being subjected to
flexing, handling, vibration, or
temperature.

Degradation of Packages
Packages can degrade with exposure to
temperature, humidity, time, sterlization
(steam, radiation, gas, etc.), sunlight, and
other environmental factors. For some
types of packaging, it is common to test
for possible corrosion of metals, polymer
degradation, and weather testing of
polymers. Several types of accelerated
aging of packaging and materials can be
accomplished in a laboratory.
Exposure to elevated temperatures
accelerates some degradation
mechanisms. An Arrhenius equation is
often used to correlate certain chemical
reactions at different temperatures,
based on the proper choice of Q10
coefficients.

As with any laboratory testing, validating

field trials are important.

Relevant tests

ASTM D3045 Standard Practice for

Heat Aging of Plastics without Load
ASTM F1640 Standard Guide for
Packaging Materials for Foods to be
 Irradiated
ASTM F1980– Standard Guide for
Accelerated Aging of Sterile Medical
Device Packages
ASTM G151 Standard Practice for
Exposing Non-metallic Materials in
Accelerated Test Devices that are
Laboratory Light Sources

Vacuum testing

Vacuum chamber for testing leaks in packaging

component
Vacuum chambers are used to test the
ability of a package to withstand low
pressures. This can be to:

1. Determine the ability of packages to

withstand low pressures that might be
encountered. this could be in an air
shipment or high altitude truck
shipment.[12]
2. A laboratory vacuum places controlled
stress on a sealed package to test the
strength of seals, the tendency for
leakage, and the ability to retain sterility.

Relevant tests
ASTM D3078- Standard Test Method
for Determination of Leaks in Flexible
Packaging by Bubble Emission
ASTM D4991- Standard Test Method
for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid
Containers by Vacuum Method
ASTM D6653- Standard Test Methods
for Determining the Effects of High
Altitude on Packaging Systems by
Vacuum Method
ASTM D6834- Standard Test Method
for Determining Product Leakage from
a Package with a Mechanical Pump
Dispenser
ASTM E493- Standard Test Methods
for Leaks Using the Mass
 Spectrometer Leak Detector in the
Inside-Out Testing Mode
ASTM F2338- Standard Test Method
for Nondestructive Detection of Leaks
in Packages by Vacuum Decay Method
ASTM F2391- Standard Test Method
for Measuring Package and Seal
Integrity Using Helium as the Tracer
Gas

Shock and impact

Instrumented drop test of cushioned package to

measure the transmitted shock
Both primary (consumer) packages and
shipping containers have a risk of being
dropped or being impacted by other
items. Package integrity and product
protection are important packaging
functions. Tests are conducted to
measure the resistance of packages and
products to controlled laboratory shock
and impact.

Testing also determines the

effectiveness of package cushioning to
isolate fragile products from shock.
Instrumentation is used to measure the
shock transmitted to a cushioned
product.
Relevant tests

ASTM D880- Standard Test Method for

Impact Testing for Shipping Containers
and Systems
ASTM D1596- Standard Test Method
for Dynamic Shock Cushioning
Characteristics of Packaging Materials
ASTM D3332- Standard Test Methods
for Mechanical-Shock Fragility of
Products, Using Shock Machines
ASTM D4003- Standard Test Methods
for Programmable Horizontal Impact
Test for Shipping Containers and
Systems
ASTM D5265- Standard Test Method
for Bridge Impact Testing
ASTM D5276- Standard Test Method
for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
Free Fall
ASTM D5277- Standard Test Method
for Performing Programmed
Horizontal Impacts Using an Inclined
Impact Tester
ASTM D5487- Standard Test Method
for Simulated Drop of Loaded
Containers by Shock Machines
ASTM D6344- Standard Test Method
for Concentrated Impacts to Transport
Packages
ASTM D6537- Standard Practice for
Instrumented Package Shock Testing
For Determination of Package
Performance
Package Insulation
Many packages are used for products
that are sensitive to temperature. The
ability of insulated shipping containers to
protect their contents from exposure to
temperature fluctuations can be
measured in a laboratory. The testing can
be of empty containers or of full
containers with appropriate jell or ice
packs, contents, etc. Ovens, freezers, and
environmental chambers are commonly
used for this and other types of
packaging.

Digital temperature data loggers are used

to measure temperatures experienced in
different distribution systems. This data
is sometimes used to develop unique
laboratory test methods for that
distribution system.

Relevant tests

ASTM D3103-Standard Test Method

for Thermal Insulation Performance of
Distribution Packages
ISTA 7E – Testing Standard for
Thermal Transport Packaging Used in
Parcel Delivery System Shipment

Thermal shock
Some packages, particularly glass, can
be sensitive to sudden changes in
temperature: Thermal shock. One
method of testing involves rapid
movement from cold to hot water baths,
and back.

Relevant tests

ASTM C149 -Standard Test Method for

Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass
Containers
MIL-STD-810G METHOD 503.5

Handles
Package handles (and hand holes in
packages) assist carrying and handling
packages. Objective laboratory
procedures are frequently used to help
determine performance. Fixtured ‘’hands’’
of various designs are used to hold a
handle (sometimes two handles for a
box). Most common are “jerk testing’’ by
modified drop test procedures or use of
the constant pull rates of a universal
testing machine. Other procedures use a
static force by hanging a heavily loaded
package for an extended time or even
using a centrifuge.

Relevant tests

ASTM D6804, Standard Guide for Hand

Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes,
Appendix

Vibration
Vibration tester to simulate vibration frequencies at
which packaged products are subjected during
shipments

Vibration is encountered during shipping

(vehicle vibration, rough roads, etc.) and
movement on conveyors. Potential
vibration damage may include:

fractures and fatigue damage

loose wires, screw caps, etc.
bruises on soft products (fruit, etc.)
surface abrasion
 etc.

The ability of a package to withstand

these vibrations and to protect the
contents can be measured by several
laboratory test procedures. Some allow
searching for the particular frequencies
of vibration that have potential for
damage. Modal testing methodologies
are sometimes employed. Others use
specified bands of random vibration to
better represent complex vibrations
measured in field studies of distribution
environments.

Relevant tests
ASTM D999- Standard Test Methods
for Vibration Testing of Shipping
Containers
ASTM D3580-Standard Test Methods
for Vibration (Vertical Linear Motion)
Test of Products
ASTM D4728- Standard Test Method
for Random Vibration Testing of
Shipping Containers
ASTM D5112- Standard Test Method
for Vibration (Horizontal Linear
Sinusoidal Motion) Test of Products
ASTM D7387- Standard Test Method
for Vibration Testing of Intermediate
Bulk Containers (IBCs) Used for
Shipping Liquid Hazardous Materials
(Dangerous Goods)
Compression

Compression test for steel drum

Compression testing relates to stacking

or crushing of packages, particularly
shipping containers. It usually measures
of the force required to crush a package,
stack of packages, or a unit load.
Packages can be empty or filled as for
shipment. A force-deflection curve used
to obtain the peak load or other desired
points. Other tests use a constant load
and measure the time to failure or to a
critical deflection.

Dynamic compression is sometimes

tested by shock or impact testing with an
additional load to crush the test package.
Dynamic compression also takes place
in stacked vibration testing.

Relevant Tests

ASTM Standard D642 Test Method for

Determining Compressive Resistance
of Shipping Containers, Components,
and Unit Loads.
ASTM Standard D4577 Test Method
for Compression Resistance of a
 Container Under Constant Load
ASTM Standard D7030 Test Method
for Short Term Creep Performance of
Corrugated Fiberboard Containers
Under Constant Load Using a
Compression Test Machine
German Standard DIN 55440-1
Packaging Test; compression test; test
with a constant conveyance-speed
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, filled
transport packages—Compression and
stacking tests using a compression
tester

Large loads
Rotational corner drop test of wooden box

Large pallet loads, bulk boxes, wooden

boxes, and crates can be evaluated by
many of the other test procedures
previously listed. In addition, some
special test methods are available for
these larger loads.

Relevant tests

ASTM D5331- Standard Test Method

for Evaluation of Mechanical Handling
of Unitized Loads Secured with Stretch
Wrap Films
ASTM D5414- Standard Test Method
for Evaluation of Horizontal Impact
Performance of Load Unitizing Stretch
Wrap Films
ASTM D5415- Standard Test Method
for Evaluating Load Containment
Performance of Stretch Wrap Films by
Vibration Testing
ASTM D5416- Standard Test Method
for Evaluating Abrasion Resistance of
Stretch Wrap Films by Vibration
Testing
ASTM D6055- Standard Test Methods
for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
 Loads and Large Shipping Cases and
Crates
ASTM D6179- Standard Test Methods
for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads
and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
ISO 10531- Stability testing of unit
loads

Test Protocols for Shipping

Containers
Shipping containers are often subjected
to sequential tests involving a
combination of individual test methods.
A variety of standard test schedules or
protocols are available for evaluating
transport packaging. They are used to
help determine the ability of complete
and filled shipping containers to various
types of logistics systems. Some test the
general ruggedness of the shipping
container while others have been shown
to reproduce the types of damage
encountered in distribution. Some base
the type and severity of testing on formal
studies of the distribution environment:
instrumentation, data loggers, and
observation. Test cycles with these
documented elements better simulate
parts of certain logistics shipping
environments.

ASTM International
ASTM D4169- Standard Practice for
Performance Testing of Shipping
 Containers and Systems
ASTM D7386- Standard Practice for
Performance Testing of Packages
for Single Parcel Delivery Systems.
ISO
ISO 4180:2009 Packaging –
Complete filled transport packages
– General rules for the compilation
of performance test schedules
International Safe Transit Association
Procedure 1A: Packaged-Products
weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
Procedure 1B: Packaged-Products
weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg)
Procedure 1C: Extended Testing for
Individual Packaged-Products
weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
Procedure 1D: Extended Testing for
Individual Packaged-Products
weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg)
Procedure 1E: Unitized Loads
Procedure 1G: Packaged-Products
weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
(Random Vibration)
Procedure 1H: Packaged-Products
weighing Over 150 lb (68 kg)
(Random Vibration)
Procedure 2A: Packaged-Products
weighing 150 lb (68 kg) or Less
Procedure 2B: Packaged-Products
weighing over 150 lb (68 kg)
Procedure 2C: Furniture Packages
Procedure 3A: Packaged-Products
for Parcel Delivery System
Shipments 70 kg (150 lb) or Less
(standard, small, flat or elongated)
Procedure 3B: Packaged-Products
for Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
Shipment
Procedure 3E: Unitized Loads of
Same Product
Procedure 3F: Packaged Products
for Distribution Center to Retail
Outlet Shipment 100 lb (45 kg)
Procedure 3H: Performance Test for
Products or Packaged-Products in
Mechanically Handled Bulk
Transport Containers
Project 3K: Fast Moving Consumer
Goods for the European Retail
Supply Chain
Project 4AB: Enhanced Simulation
Performance Tests (online test
planner)
6-FEDEX-A: FedEx Procedures for
Testing Packaged Products
Weighing Up to 150 lbs
6-FEDEX-B: FedEx Procedures for
Testing Packaged Products
Weighing Over 150 lbs
6-SAMSCLUB, Packaged-Products
for Sam’s Club® Distribution System
Shipment
Procedure 7D: Thermal Controlled
Transport Packaging for Parcel
Delivery System Shipment
ISTA 7E: Testing Standard for
Thermal Transport Packaging Used
 in Parcel Delivery System

Field trials

Laboratory testing can often help

identify shipping container
constructions that, in general, should
perform well in the field. Of course,
laboratory tests cannot fully reproduce
the full range of field hazards, their
magnitudes, nor their frequency. Field
experiments are often conducted to
help validate the laboratory testing.
The advantage of laboratory testing is
that it subjects replicate packages to
identical sets of test sequences: a
relatively small number of samples
often can suffice. Field hazards, by
their nature, are highly variable: thus
repeated shipments do not receive the
same types or magnitudes of drops,
vibrations, kicks, impacts, abrasion,
etc. Because of this uncontrolled
variability, more replicate sample
shipments are often necessary.
Larger scale test markets are used to
give additional assurance of
performance and acceptability for a
new or revised packaged-product.
Feedback is carefully obtained and
evaluated. Feedback on package
performance continues when full
production and distribution have been
achieved.
Product requirements
In addition, package testing often relates
to the specific product inside the
package. Some broad categories of
products and special package testing
considerations follow:

Food packaging

Foods categories such as fresh produce,

frozen foods, irradiated foods, fresh fish,
canned foods, etc. have regulatory
requirements and special packaging
needs. Package testing often relates to:

Food safety
 Compatibility of the package with
the food
Migration of material from the
packaging to the food
Shelf life
Barrier properties, porosity,
package atmosphere, etc
Special quality assurance needs,
good manufacturing practices,
HACCP, validation protocols, etc

Pharmaceutical packaging

Packaging for drugs and

pharmaceuticals is highly regulated.
Special testing needs include:
 Safety of drugs and
pharmaceuticals
Barrier properties
Shelf life
Compatibility of package with the
drugs
Sterility
Tamper resistance, child
resistance, etc
Special quality assurance needs,
good manufacturing practices,
validation protocols, etc

Medical Packaging

Packaging for medical materials, medical

devices, health care supplies, etc., have
special user requirements and is highly
regulated. Barrier properties, durability,
visibility, sterility and strength need to be
controlled; usually with documented test
results for initial designs and for
production.

Assurance of sterility and suitability for

use are critical. For example, medical
devices and products are often sterilized
in the package. The sterility must be
maintained throughout distribution to
allow immediate use by physicians. A
series of special packaging tests is used
to measure the ability of the package to
maintain sterility. Verification and
validation protocols are rigidly
maintained.
Relevant standards
ASTM F1585 – Guide for Integrity
Testing of Porous Medical
Packages
ASTM D3078 – Standard Test
Method for Detection of Leaks in
Flexible Packaging (Bubble)
ASTM F1140 – Standard Test
Methods for Internal
Pressurization Failure Resistance
of Unrestrained Packages
ASTM F1608 – Standard Test
Method for Microbial Ranking of
Packaging Materials
ASTM F1929 – Standard Test
Method for Detecting Seal
Strength in Porous Medical
Packaging by Dye Penetration
ASTM F2054 – Standard Test
Method for Burst Testing of
Flexible Package Seals Using
Internal Air Pressurization Within
Restraining Plates
ASTM F2095 – Standard Test
Methods for Pressure Decay Leak
Test for Flexible Packages With
and Without Restraining Plates
ASTM F2096 – Standard Test
Method for Detecting Gross Leaks
in Medical Packaging by Internal
Pressurization
ASTM F2097 – Standard Guide for
Design and Evaluation of Primary
Flexible Packaging for Medical
Products
ASTM F2228 – Standard Test
Method for Non-Destructive
Detection of Leaks in Medical
Packaging Which Incorporates
Pourous Barrier Material by CO2
Tracer Gas
ASTM F2391 – Standard Test
Method for Measuring Package
and Seal Integrity using Helium as
the Tracer Gas
ASTM F3039 - Standard Test
Method for Detecting Leaks in
Nonporous Packaging or Flexible
Barrier Materials by Dye
Penetration
 EN 868-1 – Packaging materials
and systems for medical devices
which are to be sterilized. General
requirements and test methods
(superseded by ISO 11607-1)
ISO 11607-1 – Packaging for
terminally sterilized medical
devices -- Part 1: Requirements for
materials, sterile barrier systems
and packaging systems
ISO 11607-2 – Packaging for
terminally sterilized medical
devices -- Part 2: Validation for
Forming, Sealing, and Assembly
Processes

Dangerous Goods
Packaging of hazardous materials, or
dangerous goods, are highly regulated.
There are some material and
construction requirements but also
performance testing is required. The
testing is based on the packing group
(hazard level) of the contents, the
quantity of material, and the type of
container.[13]

Relevant standards
ASTM D4919- Standard
Specification for Testing of
Hazardous Materials Packaging
ASTM D7387- Standard Test
Method for Vibration Testing of
Intermediate Bulk Containers
(IBCs) Used for Shipping Liquid
Hazardous Materials (Dangerous
Goods)
ASTM D7760 Standard Guide for
Conducting Internal Pressure
Tests on United Nations (UN)
Packagings
ASTM D7887 Standard Guide for
Selection of Substitute, Non-
hazardous, Liquid Filling
Substances for Packagings
Subjected to the United Nations
Performance Tests
ASTM D7790: Standard Guide for
Preparation of Plastic Packagings
Containing Liquids for United
Nations (UN) Drop Testing
 UN Recommendations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods
ISO 16104 – 2003 Packaging –
Transport packaging for
dangerous goods – Test methods

See also
Data analysis
Nondestructive testing
Verification and validation

References
1. Urbanek, T; Lee, Johnson. "Column
Compression Strength of Tubular
Packaging Forms Made of Paper" (PDF).
34, 6. Journal of Testing and Evaluation:
31–40. Retrieved 12 December 2011
2. ASTM D6954 Standard Guide for
Exposing and Testing Plastics that
Degrade in the Environment by a
Combination of Oxidation and
Biodegradation
3. Cooke, Linda (March 1998). "Pest-
Proofing Food Packaging" (PDF).
Agricultural Research
4. Kiyohide, Hasegawa (2004). "Recent
Trend of Transport Packaging Test" . JPI
Journal. 42 (9): 716–722. Retrieved
16 Feb 2010.
5. Dvorak, Paul (June 1, 2008). "Package
Testing as Risk Management" . Retrieved
2010-02-16.
6. Johnson, C (1995). "In-House Testing
of Computer Packaging". In Fiedler, R M
(ed.). Distribution Packaging Technology.
IoPP
7. Maloney, J. C. (July 2003). "The History
and Significance of Military Packaging"
(PDF). Defence Packaging Policy Group.
Defence Logistics Agency. Retrieved
7 June 2011.
8. "CPSC Requirements under the Poison
Prevention Packaging Act" (PDF). CPSC.
9. ASTM D7298
10. Bix, L; Kosugi; Wartaru; Sundar; Becker
(2010). "The use of change detection as a
method of objectively evaluating labels".
Packaging Technology and Science. 23
(7): 393–401. doi:10.1002/pts.904 .
11. Marcondes, Jorge; Hatton; Graham;
Schueueman (July 2003). "Effect of
temperature on the cushioning properties
of some foamed plastic materials".
Packaging Technology and Science. 16
(2): 69–76. doi:10.1002/pts.614 .
12. Singh, P., Burgess, G., Kremer, M. and
Lockhart, H. Effect of Reduced Pressure,
Vibration and Orientation to Simulate High
Altitude Testing of Liquid Pharmaceutical
Glass and Plastic Bottles. Packaging
Technology and Science, vol. 20. 2007.
13. "How to Comply with Federal
Hazardous Materials Regulations" . US
DoT.

Books, General References

ASTM STP 1294 Durability Testing of

Nonmetallic Materials, 1996
Lockhart, H., and Paine, F.A.,
"Packaging of Pharmaceuticals and
Healthcare Products", 2006, Blackie,
ISBN 0-7514-0167-6
Meisner, "Transport Packaging", Third
Edition, IoPP, 2016
Pilchik, R., "Validating Medical
Packaging" 2002, ISBN 1-56676-807-1
Robertson, G. L., "Food Packaging",
2005, ISBN 0-8493-3775-5
Russel, P G, and Daum, M P, "Product
Protection Test Book", IoPP
Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of
Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002,
ISBN 1-930268-25-4
Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging
Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009,
ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
Guidelines for Selecting and Using
ISTA Procedures and Projects , ISTA,
 2013

External links
Institute of Packaging Professionals
International Safe Transit Association
(ISTA)
American Society for Testing and
Materials
Safe Load Testing Technologies, 'All
you need to know about Amazon ISTA
Test' , 2018

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