ISTA 6 FEDEX-A/B Procedures

Developed by the International Safe Transport Association (ISTA) in collaboration with FedEx,

• ISTA 6 FEDEX-A FedEx procedures for testing packaged products weighing up to 68 Kg
• ISTA 6 FEDEX-B FedEx procedures for testing packaged goods over 68 Kg

Its standards describe pre-shipment testing methods used to simulate FedEx air and ground cargo shipping environments.

The ISTA 6 FEDEX-A standard defines procedures for testing packaged products weighing up to 68 kg. Under this test, a full sample is dropped ten times, focusing on each corner and edge of the package. Significant leakage in any of these tests results in failure, making it very difficult to pass the ISTA test due to the number of drops. Additionally, flat and long packages must undergo a bridge or concentrated impact test procedure. This procedure consists of dropping a dense wooden box, approximately 30 x 30 x 30 cm in size, weighing approximately 10 kg, onto the midpoint of the package.

In standard tests, the stacking test is usually used. It is a 24-hour test in which the boxes must be subjected to a force applied to the top surface equivalent to the total weight of the same packages stacked during transport. The ISTA 6 FEDEX-A test specifically requires a dynamic compression test. This consists of a computerized control system that applies a certain amount of force to the boxes to determine if there is any damage to the side walls.

The ISTA 6 FEDEX-A test does not require the Cobb moisture test, but does require a vibration test similar to the standard test. Both tests are completed using a rotating vibration table designed to simulate the motion of motor vehicles. However, certain items in the ISTA 6 FEDEX-A test require vibration testing from a random vibration tester. This vibration test reproduces three consecutive sequences of 15 minutes each of random vibration profiles simulating air vibration and truck vibration.

The ISTA 6 FEDEX-B standard defines procedures for testing packaged products weighing more than 68 kg. ISTA 6 FEDEX-B is a generic simulation test for individually packaged products shipped via FedEx’s delivery system. This procedure uses a generic simulation of real-world hazards of ground or air transportation with various types of packages. The method also includes hazards for international shipments.

The ISTA 6 FEDEX-B test is used to evaluate the protective performance of a product packaged over 68 Kg with respect to shocks, compression, vibrations and other stress factors typically encountered in a delivery system. This method is used to create general simulation hazards in a 100 percent repeatable laboratory environment. This method also processes claims in the event of damage in the field using FedEx’s delivery system.

In short, ISTA 6 FEDEX-B is a test protocol developed by FedEx for packaging products weighing more than 68 Kg. This protocol outlines testing procedures to ensure that such packaged products can withstand the rigors of shipping and handling. This test procedure involves subjecting the packaged product to a variety of simulated shipping and handling hazards, such as vibration, shock, and compression. The packaging must be able to withstand these hazards without causing any damage to the product inside.

This testing method is carried out in four stages:

• Conditioning: The packaged product is conditioned to a specific temperature and humidity for a specific period of time prior to testing. This is to ensure that the package is tested under conditions that represent real-world transportation and storage scenarios.
• Random vibration: The packaged product is subjected to random vibrations about three mutually perpendicular axes for a fixed period of time. The intensity and frequency of the vibrations depend on the weight and size of the packaged product.
• Shock: The packaged product is subjected to a series of shocks, ranging from low to high, in different directions. The intensity of the shock depends on the weight of the packaged product.
• Compression: The packaged product is subjected to a static load for a fixed period of time. The load is applied evenly across the package and is designed to simulate the weight of other packages stacked on top of it during transport.

If the packaged product can withstand all of these hazards without sustaining any damage, it is considered to have passed the test. This protocol ensures that packages containing heavier products are adequately tested and can withstand the stress and strain of shipping and handling.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has carried out for businesses in various sectors, it also provides testing services defined in the “ISTA 6 FEDEX-A/B procedures” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.