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ISTA 3B Package Testing

ISTA 3B determines the integrity of less-than-truckload packages in transit. As an ISTA and ISO 17025 certified lab, we realize the importance of ISTA 3B transit testing. Meeting the ISTA 3B requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.

Keystone Compliance’s accurate test reports are delivered quickly. We are in constant communication throughout the test process. When packages do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions. Lastly, our pricing is competitive and we offer volume discounts.

Request a quote to see why so many companies partner with Keystone Compliance. Have a question about ISTA 3B integrity testing? Contact us and we will determine the best course of action.

Summary of ISTA 3B Integrity Testing

ISTA 3B testing is a general simulation test for packaged-products shipped through a motor carrier (truck) delivery system. Different types of packaged-products, often from different shippers and intended for different ultimate destinations, are mixed in the same load.  This type of shipment is called LTL (Less-Than-Truckload).  Procedure 3B is appropriate for four different types of packages commonly distributed in LTL shipments as described below.

Package Types:

  • Standard, 200lb (91 kg) or less, including elongated and flat packages.
  • Standard, over 200lb (91 kg), including elongated and flat packages.
  • Cylindrical, including elongated cylinders.
  • Palletized or Skidded-Individual container, bulk container, or unitized load on or incorporating a base or platform which allows the entry or life truck forks.

Definitions:

Elongated Package or Cylinder

  • A standard or Cylinder package where the longest dimension is 36 in (910 mm) or greater and
  • Both of the packages’ other dimensions (or the cylinders diameter) are each 20 percent or less of the longest dimension.
  • Volume is 800 in3 (13,000 cm3) or greater.

Non-Rigid Container

  • Any Standard (regardless of weight) or Palletized or Skidded container where the outer package may offer insufficient protection from concentrated low-level impacts or
  • The design has large unsupported spans of outer packaging material or
  • The outer package utilizes a stretch-or shrink-wrap design, uses a think-flute or light grade corrugated board, uses a paper wrap or similar lightweight material only, etc. or
  • The outer package wall is in direct contact with the product.

The chart below is an ISTA 3B test overview that provides the standard and more guidance on the testing procedure and requirements for package validation:

STANDARD 200lb (91 kg) or less

Sequence #

Test Category

Test Type

Test Level

For ISTA Certification

1

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Temperature and Humidity

Ambient

Required

2

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Controlled Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart

Optional

3

Shock TEST BLOCK 2

Tip/Tip Over

Uses a 22 degree tip angle

Required

4

Shock TEST BLOCK 3

Free-Fall Drop

6 drops-height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

5

Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 7

Random with Top Load

Overall G level of 0.54

Required

6

Shock TEST BLOCK 10

Concentrated Impact

Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380mm)

Required only for Non-Rigid Containers

7

Shock TEST BLOCK 11

Free-Fall Drop

6 drops-height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

8

Shock TEST BLOCK 16

Full Rotational Drop

1 Drop

Required only for Elongated packages

9

Shock TEST BLOCK 17

Bridged Impact

Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm)

Required only for Elongated packages

10

Shock TEST BLOCK 16

Full Rotational Drop

2 Drops

Required only for Flat packages

11

Shock TEST BLOCK 18

Concentrated Edge Impact

Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm)

Required only for Flat packages

 

TEST SEQUENCE STANDARD Over 200lb (91 kg)

Sequence #

Test Category

Test Type

Test Level

For ISTA Certification

1

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Temperature and Humidity

Ambient

Required

2

Atmospheric conditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Controlled Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart

Optional

3

Shock TEST BLOCK 2

Tip/Tip Over

Use a 22 degree tip angle

Required

4

Shock TEST BLOCK 5

Rotational Drop

9 in (230 mm) Rotational edge and corner drops

Required

5

Shock TEST BLOCK 6

Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop

48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops

Required

6

Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 7

Random with Top Load

Overall G level of 0.54

Required

7

Shock TEST BLOCK 10

Concentrated Impact

Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380 mm)

Required only for Non-Rigid Containers

8

Shock TEST BLOCK 13

Rotational Drop

9 in (230 mm) Rotational edge and corner drops

Required

9

Shock TEST BLOCK 14

Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop

48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops

Required

10

Shock TEST BLOCK 16

Full Rotational Drop

1 Drop

Required only for Elongated packages

11

Shock TEST BLOCK 17

Bridged Impact

Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm)

Required only for Elongated packages

12

Shock TEST BLOCK 16

Full Rotational Drop

2 Drops

Required only for Flat packages

13

Shock TEST BLOCK 18

Concentrated Edge Impact

Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm)

Required only for Flat packages

 

TEST Sequence CYLINDRICAL

Sequence #

Test Category

Test Type

Test Level

For ISTA Certification

1

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Temperature and Humidity

Ambient

Required

2

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Controlled Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart

Optional

3

Shock TEST BLOCK 4

Free-Fall Drop

6 Drops=height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

4

Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 8

Random with and without Top Load

Overall G level of 0.54

Required

5

Shock TEST BLOCK 12

Free-Fall Drop

5 Drops-height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

6

Shock TEST BLOCK 12

Drop on Hazard

1 Drop-height varies with packaged-product weight

 

7

Shock TEST BLOCK 17

Bridged Impact

Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm)

Required only for Elongated cylinders

 

TEST Sequence PALLETIZED or SKIDDED

Sequence #

Test Category

Test Type

Test Level

For ISTA Certification

1

Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Temperature and Humidity

Ambient

Required

2

Atmospheric Conditioning TEST BLOCK 1

Controlled Temperature and Humidity

Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart

Optional

3

Shock TEST BLOCK 2

Tip/Tip Over

Uses  a 22 degree tip angle

Required

4

Shock TEST BLOCK 5

Rotational Drop

Rotational edge and corner drops Height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

5

Shock TEST BLOCK 6

Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop

48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops

Required

6

Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 9

Random with Top Load

Overall G level of 0.54

Required

7

Shock TEST BLOCK 10

Concentrated Impact

Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380 mm)

Required only for Non-Rigid containers

8

Shock TEST BLOCK 15

Fork Lift Handling

Flat Push and Rotate tests

Required

9

Shock TEST BLOCK 15

Fork Lift Handling

Elevated Push and Pull tests

Required

10

Shock TEST BLOCK 15

Fork Lift Handling

Elevated Rotate tests

Required

11

Shock TEST BLOCK 15

Fork Lift Handling

Load Stability Test over a handling course

Required

12

Shock TEST BLOCK 13

Rotational Drop

Rotational edge and corner drops Height varies with packaged-product weight

Required

13

Shock TEST BLOCK 14

Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop

48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops

Required

Expert ISTA 3B Integrity Testing

Keystone Compliance strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. In addition to ISTA 3B integrity testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including sterile barrier, cold chain, and high impact shock. We can accommodate flexible and rigid packages of all sizes, including large pallets.

Contact us to learn first hand why so many companies partner with Keystone to achieve their ISTA 3B transit package testing certification needs.

For more ISTA Series 3 testing standards, please follow the links below:

ISTA Series 3: General Simulation Performance Testing
ISTA 3A Package Testing
ISTA 3B Package Testing
ISTA 3E Package Testing
ISTA 3F Package Testing
ISTA 3K Package Testing