A cornerstone standard in this area is ASTM D4169, Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems. ASTM D4169 defines a series of tests and hazard levels to evaluate how a packaged product will endure a typical distribution cycle. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers use ASTM standards to verify packaging durability. ASTM's paper and packaging standards are instrumental in the evaluation and testing of the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of various pulp, paper, and paperboard materials that are processed primarily to make containers, shipping boxes and parcels, and other packaging and labeling. ASTM D4169, ISTA 2 Series and ISTA 3 Series are the primary test standards that are used for distribution simulation. As members of ASTM and ISTA, DDL's engineers are well versed in these sometimes difficult to understand test standards. When they fail, everything goes dark. That. This guide simplifies the landscape of distribution testing standards (primarily ASTM and ISTA), explains the machines you see in a lab, and clarifies who technically “owns” the requirements.
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