The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is an organization that has developed testing protocols and design standards for packages to ensure the content arrives safely at its destination.
One ISTA procedure to evaluate the performance of a packaged product includes the ISTA 1A test. In this article, we’ll go through the key information you need to know about the ISTA 1A test and procedures
What is ISTA?
Packaging is the principal element for protecting products from damage during transportation. Packaging companies and manufacturers must be able to reassure their clients that their packaging solutions are safe and reliable to meet all required packaging standards.
The ISTA is an organization that writes test procedures on how packages should perform to protect the content inside the package. There are many different testing groups and ISTA 1 Series (Non-Simulation Integrity Performance Tests) is one of the types of tests included.
You can check here a full list of ISTA Procedures:
What Does ISTA 1a Certified Mean?
There are two types of ISTA certifications, namely: ISTA Certified Laboratory and ISTA Certified Thermal Transport Laboratory. These certifications vary depending on whether it is for a certified testing laboratory or a certified thermal transport laboratory. To become an ISTA Certified Laboratory, organizations have to first be an ISTA member by completing several equipment verification forms and producing a short video.
What is ISTA 1A?
The ISTA 1A is a test procedure designed to evaluate packaging products weighing 68kg (150lb) or less. It provides a standard set of tests to understand how individual packages are performed under multiple handling conditions. It can also be used to compare the performance of alternative packages and product designs.
All in all, it ensures the package and product are considered together and not as separate items.
The ISTA 1a standard covers certain conditions such as transit, moisture pressure, and unusual handling. It is important to note that packages must have been unaffected during shipment through the supply chain before testing to ensure accurate data.
Before the A1 test, the shipper will determine:
- What constitutes damage to the product
- What damage tolerance level is permissible
- The acceptable product conditions
- The acceptable package conditions at the end of the test.
All in all, the ISTA 1 series challenges the capability of the package and its ability to withstand transportation hazards. TheA1 packaging testing can be completed at many different stages of the product cycle. For example, before a new product launch, after product damage has already been noticed by the company, or when the client requests testing.
What Is the Purpose of ISTA 1?
The main purpose of an ISTA 1 test is to evaluate the strength of the product packaging system and challenge the strength and robustness of the product and package combination.
What Are the Types of ISTA 1 Procedures?
There are several ISTA 1 procedures, in this article, we’ll focus on the ISTA 1A standard that targets packaged products weighing 68kg or less. You can find a list of more ISTA procedures below:
- Procedure ISTA 1A: is targeted at individually packaged products weighing 150lb (68 kg) or less
- Procedure ISTA 1B: includes products weighing over 150lb (68kg)
- Procedure ISTA 1C: extends testing for individually packaged products weighing 150lb (68kg) or less.
- Procedure ISTA 1D: extends testing for individually packaged products weighing over 150 lb (68kg)
- Procedure ISTA 1E: unitized loads
- Procedure ISTA 1G: packaged products weighing 150lb (68kg) or less (random vibration)
- Procedure ISTA 1H: packaged products weighing over 150 (68kg) (random vibration)
What Are The ISTA 1A Test Procedures and Requirements?
The packages will be subject to several handling conditions under the ISTA 1A test, including; atmospheric conditions at ambient temperature/humidity, ISTA 1A vibration testing, and shock testing including an ISTA 1A drop test.
The ISTA 1A procedure is completed five or more times using new samples each time. To ensure the testing takes place under perfect conditions, the products and packages need to be shipped to certified laboratories and must be over-packaged for shipment or repackaged at the laboratory. Learn more about the test procedure in our ISTA testing guide.
The ISTA 1A Standard For Packaging Chart
| Sequence | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | ISTA Certification |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| 2 | Vibration | Fixed Displacement | 1 in (25mm) peak-to-peak at a frequency to be determined. | Required |
| 3 | Shock (Alternative methods allowed–select one test type) | Drop | Height varies with packaged-product weight. | Required |
| Incline-Impact (Conbur) | Impact Velocity varies with packaged-product weight. | Required | ||
| Horizontal Impact | Impact Velocity varies with packaged-product weight. | Required |
What is the ISTA 1a drop test height?
What Are the Benefits of ISTA 1A?
The ISTA comes with a wide range of benefits. For example, the ISTA standards for packaging testing ensure customer satisfaction, as it helps to prevent any damage to the content inside the carton. Naturally, it can reduce the returns and refunds caused by damaged goods. Using a third-party inspection service will help companies to identify any potential problems before they become a serious issues.
The results of an ISTA 1A package test can provide clients with an overall performance review of the packaged products and it can be used to compare alternative package designs.
Conclusion: All You Need to Know About ISTA 1A Package Testing
The ISTA 1A is a standardized set of tests procedure designed to evaluate packaging products weighing 68kg (150lb) or less. In this test, the condition of a carton or packaging is assessed while it undergoes multiple handling conditions. These tests are performed in an ISTA Certified Laboratory.
At HQTS, our HQTS-QAI lab is equipped with cutting-edge testing facilities and accredited by domestic and international leading authorities, including ISTA and the American Society for Testing and Materials for packaging and transportation testing. We offer a range of packaging transportation testing services according to ISTA, ATEM D4169, GB/T4857, and more. to help you improve your packaging solutions and meet market requirements in terms of product compliance and safety during transportation. Book your ISTA packaging test today.
