iNews November 2006

USPS References ISTA Procedure 3A
The United States Postal Service publishes a “Domestic Mail Manual”, telling its customers the standards and requirements for mailing. In a recently-revised section of this manual, ISTA Procedure 3A is referenced as a performance test.

Section 600 of the Manual covers “Basic Standards for All Mailing Services”, sub-section 601.2 is concerned with “Packaging”, and 601.2.3c deals with the packaging of liquids in breakable containers. The basic requirement covers cushioning, leakproof bags, and the outer container, but as an alternate states “mailers may use containers certified by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) that passed ISTA's Test Procedure 3A. Mailers must provide their ISTA 3A Package-Product Certification Notice at the time of mailing as verification that the mailpieces they are submitting passed the required performance test”.

The notice accompanying this change states “(this) allow(s) mailers of nonhazardous liquids in breakable containers to use packaging certified by the International Safe Transit Association. The revised standards provide mailers with more packaging choices while ensuring the safety of the mail”.

Thanks to Bert Olsen of the USPS in Washington, DC for alerting us to this revision, which was effective November 9th. Click Here to see a related article in the March 2006 iNews.

For an overview of Procedure 3A, Click Here.

Ed Church Enters the Packaging Hall of Fame
ISTA Executive Director Ed Church was inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Chicago during the recent Pack Expo trade show. This is a great honor – the Hall, established 35 years ago, has only 136 total members from throughout the entire packaging industry.

Ed Church (left) receiving the
Packaging Hall of Fame award
from Ben Miyares of PMMI

Hall of Fame inductees are chosen by a commission of twelve representatives from all sectors of packaging, based on the candidate’s significant involvement, leadership, and contributions to the field. Following are a few highlights from Ed’s many accomplishments in these areas:
     • He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Packaging from Michigan State University. While a graduate
       student, he participated in testing which corroborated the original “Damage Boundary” theory for
       product fragility assessment. His Master’s thesis later became the basis for ASTM D4168,
       “Transmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials”.
     • Three of his professors at MSU are now also in the Packaging Hall of Fame: Drs. Goff,
       Raphael, and Olsson. The University President during that time, Dr. John Hannah, is also a
       member of the Hall.
     • Ed was a co-founder and past President/CEO (1988-1992) of Lansmont Corporation.
     • He is an IoPP Certified Packaging Professional, a member of the College of Fellows, was
       National IoPP President (1994-5) and Chairman of the Board (1995-6), and was named IoPP
       Member of the year in 1998.
     • He’s in the Michigan State University Packaging Hall of Fame.
     • He’s on Advisory Boards for the packaging programs at Michigan State, R.I.T., and Cal-Poly.
     • He was Executive Director of the MSU Packaging Alumni Board of Directors from
       2000 to 2004.
     • And he’s also a former Planning Commission member for the city of East Lansing.

In his acceptance speech, Ed thanked his wife Barbara and their four sons for their love and support, and also very graciously thanked his long-time friends and “packaging brothers” – Dennis Young, Steve Pierce, Bill Armstrong, and Bill Kipp. Special thanks went to Eric Joneson, Paul Singh, the co-founders and employees of Lansmont, and the staff at ISTA.

Congratulations, Ed – we’re all very proud of you!

Click Here to read the October 2006 Packaging Digest article.
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Member Promotions, Project 4AB Demo a Hit at Pack Expo
Activity was high at ISTA’s Pack Expo exhibit early this month. A larger booth, member-sponsor promotions, and a “live” demonstration of the Project 4AB web application created interest and drew many favorable comments.

Ed Church in the ISTA booth

Thanks to our Booth Sponsors!

Fifteen companies arranged to place their promotional materials in the expanded ISTA booth. Individual signs with logos were on display, and literature was available. Our sincere thanks to the following organizations for their support (click on the logos at right for links to each sponsor’s website):

Project 4AB Demo

The recently-released version 1.0.0 of Project 4AB, ISTA’s web-based Enhanced Simulation test plan generator, was available for demonstrations and test-drives. We had an internet connection and a big viewing screen so that multiple people could see it at once. Many booth visitors viewed the program, and a number of them ran it completely “on their own” using only the prompts and occasionally the Help file. It was gratifying to see how well the intuitive nature of the concept and user interface performed.

Click Here for background and information on Project 4AB. The program is available free to all ISTA members through the end of 2007. Back to top

CPLP Workshop in San Francisco Successful, Enjoyable
The recent two-day Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional Workshop in San Francisco resulted in six people earning CPLP certificates, and also enjoying a little of the “City” experience.

Four people earned both Technician and Technologist certificates: Ondrea Kassarjian and Steve Dely of Lansmont Corporation, Alan Conley of FedEx, and Sean Wolfe of Grundfos. Arvin Uy of SCA Packaging passed Technician level, and Dave Filson of Clorox advanced to Technologist.

Steve Alan Ondrea Sean Arvin Dave

The Workshop was held at San Francisco’s Kensington Park Hotel, just a block from the Union Square dining, shopping, and theater area. Holiday decorations were going up, and the City seemed in a festive mood. We ate at some local landmarks – Sear’s Fine Foods on Powell, Lefty O’Doul’s on Geary (Giants baseball fans take note), and also took an evening tour of the Titanic Artifacts Exhibition at the Metreon. It’s enjoyable to mix business and pleasure… especially when the business is successful and all objectives are met.

For information on the CPLP program and a list of recipients, Click Here.

Dimensions.07 Website Updated – Information, Registration
Dimensions, the International Forum on Transport Packaging presented annually by ISTA and IoPP, is scheduled for March 27-30, 2007 at Disney World in Florida. The Dimensions.07 website has now been updated, with information on the program and convenient on-line registration.

Dimensions has become the premier event of its type, with an attendance of over 330 people in 2006. The 2007 event will feature 24 presentations covering such topics as laboratory testing, packaging design and case studies, cargo loading practices, material properties, distribution environment measuring, thermal and medical packaging, packaging management and economics, and much more. There will also be a special session on packaging sustainability, including a roundtable discussion. This core program is surrounded with social, networking, and business activities that make Dimensions a must-attend world-class event!

The updated Dimensions website has information on the program, speakers, auxiliary events, exhibitors, sponsors, and the conference hotel. You can register on-line from a secure section of the website; for assistance or further information e-mail Lisa Bonsignore or call 517-333-3437.

There are openings for both sponsors and exhibitors at Dimensions. The visibility of sponsoring or exhibiting can significantly leverage your organization’s attendance at Dimensions, and bring your message to a focused, interested audience. Contact Lisa (above) to take advantage of these opportunities.
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Still Time to Advertise in the 2007 ISTA Resource Book

The 2007 ISTA Resource Book will go to the printer soon. This annual reference is a wealth of information for ISTA members and for all packaging professionals. Limited advertising and lab listing enhancement space is still available if you ACT NOW!

The Resource Book includes complete information on ISTA, all the Test Procedures, the Guidelines for Selecting & Using ISTA Test Procedures & Projects, and an enhanced Directory of ISTA Certified Laboratories. It is on the bookshelves and desks of all ISTA members and many others who work in distribution, package design, testing, and damage prevention.

Advertising in the Resource Book will put your message in front of this select and focused audience. Third-party testing laboratories can enhance their free listings with color, logos, and additional descriptions. Click Here for advertising information and rates, or contact Kathy Joneson at ISTA Headquarters, 517-333-3437.