| January
2005
UPS
Now Using ISTA Procedure 3A
From information
just released by UPS:
"Effective January 3, 2005, UPS will begin using the International
Safe Transit Association (ISTA) Test Procedure 3A package testing standard.
"The ISTA 3A test procedure is an industry developed and approved
test standard designed specifically to provide laboratory simulation
of the handling conditions of the small parcel shipping environment,
such as UPS. The test procedure takes into consideration the package
size and shape (smalls, large and flat, long and narrow, etc.) as it
relates to handling. This is the most current and effective test procedure
that accurately measures the ability of a package to travel safely through
the UPS shipping system.
"By adopting the new ISTA 3A test procedure:
• The UPS Professional Services
package engineering team will be able to evaluate and validate
the performance of your packaging
more effectively and accurately. In addition, our packaging
engineers will be able to design
more effective and efficient packaging solutions that will provide
the appropriate level of protection
for your products.
• You will benefit by reducing the
risk of under-packaging (higher risk of in-transit damages) or
over-packaging (higher than necessary
packaging costs) your shipments.
• It will help reduce damages and
damage claims, and facilitate the approval of damage claims in
the event damage does occur."
For more information about the new ISTA 3A test procedure, please contact
ISTA.
Dimensions.05
Update
Dimensions is less than two months away (March 8-11), and our room block
is filling up fast! Make your reservations NOW to take advantage
of the ISTA room block. Also, check the outstanding group of exhibitors
at this year’s forum.
Registrations to date indicate that this might be the biggest Dimensions
ever, and it’s possible that our hotel room block could be fully
taken even before the deadline. In addition, Coronado Springs Resort
tells us that they are likely to be fully booked that week with us,
several other conferences, and individual families. So don’t miss
out and have to do that last-minute scramble for a room somewhere else
– make your Coronado Springs reservation NOW. Click
Here for complete information. And if you haven’t yet registered
for Dimensions itself, Click
Here to do that too!
Meet an outstanding group of organizations, including a number of first-time
Dimensions exhibitors, at the Exhibitor Reception during Dimensions.05.
The hors d'oeuvres, snacks, and refreshments are always excellent, and
with more displays this year there will be even greater opportunities
for networking and information-gathering. Check out all the exhibitors,
and link directly to their websites, by Clicking
Here. If your company is interested in exhibiting, Click
Here.
Great
Slate of Speakers for Packaging Services Expo
The ISTA-produced conference track at Packaging Services Expo (May 10-12
in Chicago) now includes an exceptional line-up of presenters. This
show and technical conference promises to be an excellent opportunity
for ISTA and our members.
Packaging
Services Expo is a new event focusing on service providers in contract
packaging, package design, package testing, and related areas. It includes
an extensive exhibit floor and a technical conference with four concurrent
tracks. Click
Here for complete information on the Expo, registration, and exhibit
space information.
ISTA’s track is entitled “Testing,
Distribution, and Quality Control”. We are fortunate
to have arranged an outstanding slate of presenters, including:
• Lejo Brana of
Packaging Technology Center
• Paul Singh of
Michigan State University
• Jay Singh of
Cal Poly State University
• Bob Fiedler of
Adalis Corporation
• Dick Sheehan
of 3M
• Eric Joneson
of Lansmont
• Pat Nolan of
DDL, Inc.
• Ed Church and
Bill Kipp of ISTA
There are still two openings for presentations. If you’re interested
in being a speaker, contact
Bill
Kipp immediately.
ISTA
Labs in Tsunami Regions
The world has watched in
horror the last few weeks as news agencies reported one of the worst
natural disasters in modern history – an earthquake with a magnitude
of 9.0 struck off the coast of India and caused a tsunami which devastated
an enormous region. At the time of this writing, there are reports that
the death toll has reached 212,000, and millions have been left homeless.
ISTA certifies several labs in areas where the tsunami hit, and we waited
with cautious anticipation to hear from them on their status. So far,
we’ve heard of no loss of life, although several people that work
for the labs have lost friends and family members. We’ve also
not heard of any structural damage at this point. Our thoughts are with
everyone that has been affected by this massive disaster.
Organizations and people from all over the world are now getting involved
with donations to the agencies providing relief and aid to the countries
and victims. If you would like to do something to help, please Click
Here for a listing of agencies that are accepting donations.
Miller
and Kipp Among Presenters at MD&M West
 
ISTA was well represented at last week’s Medical Design and Manufacturing
conference in Anaheim. Hal Miller, VP-Membership Development (representing
his company Pace Solutions) and Bill Kipp, ISTA’s Director of
Education, were among several ISTA members on the program.
Medical device packaging is a complex field, combining a number of disparate
technologies, stringent regulatory requirements, and a need for the
highest quality and process control. Hal spoke on Packaging for Drug-Device
Combinations, and also on Risk Assessment Programs for Sterile Packaging.
Hal is a widely acknowledged and respected expert in this field, and
his presentations were extremely well received.
When it comes to distribution packaging performance testing, companies
have a number of decisions to make and options from which to choose.
Bill presented a discussion of the various existing test approaches,
including comparisons between simple tests and the more sophisticated
simulations. Attendees were interested in the application of ISTA tests
to medical device packaging, and particularly in our new Procedure 3A.
China
Symposium Set for April 7-9: Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers Wanted
  ISTA
has been working for over a year to organize an educational event
in Asia. Thanks to recent efforts by Bill Noonan, ISTA President,
we now have a location and dates, and detailed arrangements are being
made.
A key element in producing a conference so far away from home is a
strong organization in the remote area to make arrangements and do
promotion. Bill Noonan found such an organization, IVY Management,
in China. They are not only adept at organizing technical conferences,
they have ties to the Chinese packaging community and government organizations.
We have been in contact and communication with them for some time,
and have worked out essential details of the Symposium.
The 2005 International Transit Packaging Symposium
in Asia will be held April 7-8, 2005 in Chengdu, China.
It will be presented by ISTA and IVY Management, in cooperation with
the China Packaging Technology Association, and will consist of a
technical conference with both U.S. and Chinese speakers, and commercial
(table-top) exhibits. Following the conference, ISTA will hold a CPLP
Technician Workshop.
Sponsorships Are Available. Sponsors are invited to support
this important event, in exchange for both tangible and promotional
benefits.
Table-Top Exhibitors will receive full publicity in Symposium
information and materials, in addition
to the opportunity for meeting
directly with prospective Chinese
customers and organizations.
Speakers Wanted. We’ve contacted a number of potential
speakers, but if you are interested in
making a presentation at this
Symposium, please let us know
immediately.
Contact Bill
Kipp, ISTA Director of Education, regarding Sponsorships, Exhibiting,
or Speaking.
Payment
Deadline Nearing for Dues Invoices
Just a quick reminder to all ISTA members that the dues invoices which
were mailed in November of 2004 are due no later than January 31, 2005.
Those that haven’t paid by that date risk the loss of membership
benefits, including member discounts, full access to Procedures, and
online access privileges.
If you need an additional copy of your dues invoice, or to make arrangements
for payment, please contact Meredith
Young. ISTA accepts checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and
wire transfers. Dues can also be paid online, just go to the Member
Login page and click the Pay Dues option!
Advertise
with ISTA! 2005 Contract Deadline is February 11th!
Generate more business
and increase sales by making ISTA a part of your marketing plan! Ads
can be placed in print and/or electronic media to fit your needs and
budget.
 Advertising
space is available in the quarterly printed PreShipment Testing
newsletter, in this monthly e-mail and web-based iNews,
or continuously as a banner ad on the ISTA website.
The deadline for placing these ads is February 11. Contact Kathy Joneson,
ISTA's Marketing Manager by Clicking
Here to request your 2005 advertising contract or to learn more
about special advertising packages and promotions.
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