iNews December 2005

Happy Holidays to All!
From everyone at ISTA, our best wishes for the most joyous of Holiday Seasons, and for a healthy and happy 2006.

In observance of the holidays, the ISTA Headquarters offices will be closed Friday afternoon December 23, all day Monday and Tuesday December 26 & 27, Friday afternoon December 30, and Monday January 2. There may also be somewhat limited staff and hours at other times, but if you send an e-mail or leave a message we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

Effective 2006, Procedure 3A Supersedes 3C and 3D

First released as a “Project” in late 2003, ISTA Procedure 3A (Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment) encompassed and improved upon several existing Procedures, but the older tests were kept on the books for people who were currently using them. Now, after two years, it’s time to make the transition to 3A, a more complete and up-to-date protocol.

With approval of the latest revision of Procedure 3A (see below) by the ISTA Testing & Certification Council, it has been decided to discontinue publication of Procedures 3C (Packaged-Products for Parcel Delivery System Shipment) and 3D (Small Packaged-Products Bagged in Parcel Delivery System Shipments) effective January 1, 2006. 3C and 3D will not be printed in the 2006 Resource Book and will no longer be available on-line.

A summary of the latest revisions to Procedure 3A (referred to above) is in the 4th Quarter 2005 issue of ISTA’s PreShipment Testing Newsletter (PST). It’s in the mail now, so look for it soon – or check the on-line PST Archive in a few days.

Procedure 3A is appropriate for four different package types distributed via parcel delivery systems, either by air or ground: standard, small, flat, and elongated. It incorporates latest information and data to configure the drop, impact, random vibration, top load, optional vibration-under-vacuum (altitude), and other requirements, allowing the user to simulate in a laboratory what typically happens to packaged-products during small parcel shipment.

In January of this year, UPS adopted Procedure 3A – Click Here to read the complete UPS statement.

To some extent, Procedure 3A also overlaps the requirements of Procedures 2D (for Flat Packaged-Products) and 2E (for Elongated Packaged-Products). However, because of the different approaches of 2-Series vs. 3-Series tests, 2D and 2E will continue to be published at this time.

All users of Procedures 3C and 3D should begin using 3A now to obtain benefits of the latest testing technology.
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You know you don’t want to miss Dimensions.06 (April 18-21, 2006 in San Antonio)… so why not register now, get the early-bird discount, and use funds that still might be in your 2005 budget?

This world-class educational event, presented by ISTA and IoPP, provides the latest techniques, ideas, and innovations for the transport packaging industry. It’s the only conference dedicated solely to packaging professionals involved in all areas of testing, shipping, and distribution of products, and is unsurpassed for learning, sharing, networking, food, and fun! Come join us!

The early-bird registration deadline is February 17, 2006, and you can register on-line or by phone (517-333-3437). Further discounts apply if your organization sends more than one person, so get your group together!

Check out the program, speakers, events, hotel, and sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities at www.dimensions-info.com. Back to top

Project 3B Survey Out to NCC Members

Project 3B will be a new ISTA test to simulate the Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) environment. As part of the development effort, a survey to gather information on LTL hazards has now been sent to all members of the NMFTA’s National Classification Committee (NCC).

Erin Drouillard, Packaging Engineer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) reports that the NCC members have been asked to respond by January 15, 2006.

The survey asks about the hazards and sequences unique and/or common to LTL shipments, including differences based on package size, weight, type, and shape; handling and loading equipment; transportation equipment; dock conditions; etc. Based on this and other information, Project 3B will be developed into a reasonable and practical testing protocol.

Robert Meisner of UPS Supply Chain Solutions is heading up the 3B development task group. If you’d like to help, and/or would like to participate in the survey, contact Meredith Young at ISTA Headquarters or contact Robert Meisner directly.

Goodbye A. J., Hello Chantel

The ISTA student/employee program is truly a win-win situation – ISTA gets some terrific employees and the students gain valuable packaging-related experience. We’ve recently had to say goodbye to A. J. Gruber, but are pleased to welcome Chantel Grewal.

A. J. was our Testing & Certification Assistant for more than 2 years, and definitely became a member of the “ISTA family”. But he graduated from Michigan State University’s School of Packaging, and has now taken a position with UPS Professional Services in Addison, IL. It’s good to know that we’ll still be working with A. J., as he’ll be heavily involved with ISTA testing at the UPS lab. His new e-mail address is ajgruber@ups.com.

Chantel Grewal, a sophomore at the School of Packaging, has taken over A. J.’s Testing & Certification duties and is assisting Meredith Young. Chantel’s parents are both packaging professionals in the automotive industry, so she has a natural interest in and aptitude for the field. We’re delighted to have Chantel join us, and are looking forward to being a part of her packaging career. You can e-mail Chantel at cgrewal@ista.org.

Packaging Summit Europe 2006
Packaging Summit Europe, to be held June 5-6, 2006, in Amsterdam, will bring together the skills of packaging service providers in a dedicated conference program and tabletop exhibition.

With ISTA’s participation as an Association Sponsor, this 2-day event will cover the latest in packaging technology services across a wide range of industry sectors. It will attract not only large brand owners and blue chip product manufacturers, but also smaller companies looking to find the right packaging services for their non-core activities.

Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are still available, Click Here for complete information.