Confirm Before Selection
Package gross weight, dimensions and centre of gravity
Required drop height, face, edge and corner orientations
Support and release arrangement, landing area and test procedure
Packaging Validation Lab Equipment & Test Systems
PACKAGE TESTING CAPABILITIES
01
Drop TestingDefined handling impacts on packaged products
02
Vibration TestingTransport profiles matched to the test procedure
03
Compression TestingCompressive resistance under specified loading
04
Environmental ConditioningControlled temperature and humidity exposure
Build or expand your packaging test lab with equipment selected for the packed product, shipping conditions and test procedure. Compare drop testers, vibration systems, compression testers and environmental chambers for your required tests.
Derui supplies packaging testing equipment for evaluating packaged products under defined handling, transport and conditioning conditions. Share the package dimensions, gross weight and required procedure so the equipment configuration and site requirements can be reviewed.
Request an Equipment Recommendation →Test procedure not yet selected? Send your package details and shipping format to start the discussion.
Drop Testers for Packaged Products
HANDLING IMPACTS
Package: gross weight, dimensions and centre of gravity
Drop setup: height, orientation and release arrangement
Assessment: product condition and package acceptance criteria
Evaluate how a packed product responds to defined drops during handling. Select the tester around the package’s gross weight, dimensions, required drop height and face, edge or corner orientation.
Review the single-wing model below for its load rating, support geometry and release arrangement. Confirm that the complete setup can perform the required drops, then assess the product and packaging against the agreed acceptance criteria.
View Drop Testers →Confirm Before Selection
Package gross weight, dimensions and required drop orientation
Drop-height range, package contact area and available test space
Dual-support opening, release clearance, landing area and test procedure
Confirm Before Selection
Package gross weight, dimensions and centre-of-gravity position
Lowest and highest required drop heights and impact orientations
Lifting, support and release arrangement, landing area and test procedure
TRANSPORT VIBRATION
Packaging Vibration Test Systems
SELECT BY REQUIRED MOTION
Mechanical: confirm the required repetitive-shock motion, frequency or speed and displacement
Random: provide the PSD, frequency range, overall level and duration per axis
Test item: define package and fixture mass, dimensions, restraints and centre of gravity
Choose the vibration system from the governing test method and required motion—not from a general “transport simulation” label. Mechanical repetitive-shock tables and closed-loop random vibration systems create and control different inputs.
Before selection, confirm the package, fixture and required profile together with the table size, payload, displacement, frequency range, test axes, duration, control channels and reporting requirements.
Method boundary: Do not assume that one mechanical table can reproduce an arbitrary random PSD, or that one general standards claim covers every procedure.
Confirm Before Selection
Governing procedure and required repetitive-shock table motion
Package mass, dimensions, centre of gravity and restraint arrangement
Frequency or speed, displacement, exposure time and inspection criteria
Confirm Before Selection
Required PSD, frequency range, overall level and duration per axis
Package, fixture and moving mass with centre-of-gravity information
Control channels, accelerometer locations, abort limits and report requirements
Confirm Before Selection
Required vertical motion and exact test procedure
Package or unit-load mass, footprint, stack height and restraints
Table size, payload, frequency, displacement and facility requirements
PACKAGE COMPRESSION
Compression Testers for Boxes and Packaged Products
DEFINE THE COMPLETE TEST ITEM
Package: construction, contents, closure, dimensions and conditioning
Loading: force range, platen size, speed, hold time and stop condition
Result: peak force, deformation, load-duration behaviour or defined pass/fail limit
A box compression tester applies a controlled top-to-bottom load to a completed box or packaged product. Use it to measure compression resistance, deformation or performance under a defined load and duration—not to guarantee survival in every warehouse or distribution environment.
Select the system around the largest test item, required working force, usable platen area and opening, loading procedure, measurement range and reporting needs. Package construction, contents, closures, orientation and conditioning must be documented with the result.
Test boundary: Board-level ECT or RCT data and completed-box compression results answer different questions and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Confirm Before Selection
•Box construction, contents, closure, orientation and conditioning
•Maximum specimen dimensions, platen area and usable opening
•Working force, loading rate, stop condition and required results
Confirm Before Selection
•Largest package size, gross mass and expected compression load
•Platen dimensions, opening, travel, parallelism and loading access
•Peak, hold, deformation, cycle and report requirements
Confirm Before Selection
•Unit-load footprint, height, gross mass, pallet and restraints
•Required force, load duration, platen size and loading profile
•Floor loading, installation access, guards and handling equipment
PACKAGE CONDITIONING
Environmental Test Chambers for Package Conditioning
DEFINE THE EXPOSURE
Test item: package, contents, dimensions, mass and loading arrangement
Climate: temperature, relative humidity, duration, tolerances and sequence
Follow-on test: drop, vibration, compression or inspection after conditioning
Use controlled temperature and humidity conditioning to place packages, components or packaging materials in the atmosphere required by the test plan before subsequent measurement or distribution testing. Select a chamber that can accommodate the complete load while maintaining the required conditions around it.
Define the specimen, loading density, temperature and humidity setpoints, exposure time, allowable tolerances, monitoring and recovery requirements. For large packages or pallet loads, also confirm door access, floor loading, airflow clearance and handling arrangements.
Method boundary: ASTM D4332 defines conditioning atmospheres and procedures; conditioning alone does not demonstrate that a package passes drop, vibration, compression or a complete distribution sequence.
Confirm Before Selection
•Specimen dimensions, quantity, mass and loading arrangement
•Temperature, humidity, duration, tolerances and monitoring points
•Heat and moisture load, airflow clearance and recovery requirements
Confirm Before Selection
•Largest package or pallet dimensions, gross mass and batch quantity
•Working volume, door opening, floor loading and loading access
•Condition range, uniformity, recovery, recording and facility utilities
Confirm Before Selection
•Package, product, closure system and intended transport route
•Required pressure or simulated altitude, rate, duration and sequence
•Chamber volume, observation, leakage assessment and safety controls
LAB CONFIGURATION
Plan a Packaging Validation Lab Around Your Test Program
A reliable lab starts with the tests you must perform—not a generic equipment list. Map each required procedure to the package range, test sequence, measurement channels and operating workflow before selecting the system.
TEST PROGRAM
Map Methods to the Required Equipment
Identify the governing ISTA, ASTM, ISO, retailer or internal procedure and break it into conditioning, drop, vibration, compression and inspection steps. Confirm the apparatus and sequence required by the current procedure.
PACKAGE & THROUGHPUT
Size Each System for the Actual Test Load
Define package dimensions, gross mass, centre of gravity, pallet format, batch quantity and test frequency. Use these inputs to check table area, chamber volume, load capacity, access and handling needs.
DATA & CONTROL
Define What Must Be Controlled and Recorded
List the required force, acceleration, displacement, temperature, humidity or pressure channels, together with tolerances, sampling, calibration status, raw-data export and report fields.
INSTALLATION & SUPPORT
Confirm the Complete Operating Environment
Review floor space, foundations, electrical and air supply, ventilation, safety clearance, sample movement, installation responsibilities, training scope, calibration route, maintenance and spare-parts support before ordering.
Request a Packaging Lab Configuration Review
Send your test procedures, package dimensions and mass, expected throughput, required results, available space, utilities and destination country. Derui can then review the equipment scope and identify the items that still require confirmation.
APPLICATION PLANNING
Packaging Validation Priorities by Industry
The right test plan depends on the product, package and distribution route. Use the likely hazards below to define the first equipment capabilities to review, then confirm the governing customer, retailer or regulatory procedure.
E-COMMERCE & RETAIL
Parcel Handling and Last-Mile Delivery
Review repeated handling impacts, vibration, stacking and package size or weight limits for the intended parcel network.Prioritize: drop, vibration and compression testing.
MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL
Product Protection and Package Integrity
Define the distribution sequence, climatic exposure and package-integrity acceptance criteria from the applicable protocol. Specialized sterile-barrier or thermal qualification may require capabilities beyond the equipment shown on this page.Prioritize: conditioning, transport simulation and documented inspection.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Container Strength and Distribution Exposure
Consider stacked storage, handling impacts, vibration, temperature and humidity for the actual container and route. Shelf-life, seal integrity and food-safety claims require their own methods and acceptance criteria.Prioritize: compression, drop, vibration and conditioning.
ELECTRONICS & AUTOMOTIVE
Shock-Sensitive Products and Heavy Components
Use product fragility, package mass, centre of gravity, restraint and route profile to set the test severity. Define functional inspections before and after the sequence.Prioritize: controlled drop or shock, vibration and compression.
Planning boundary: These are capability priorities, not a universal test sequence or certification statement. Final equipment and parameters must follow the current procedure, specimen range and customer-defined pass/fail criteria.
TESTING FUNDAMENTALS
What Is a Packaging Validation Lab—and What Does It Evaluate?
A packaging validation lab evaluates the packaged product as a complete system—the product, inner protection, closure and shipping container. It converts a documented procedure into a controlled sequence of conditioning, mechanical testing, inspection and reporting.
Define the package, route and acceptance criteria
Record the product and package configuration, dimensions, gross mass, centre of gravity, shipment mode and known distribution hazards. Select the current customer, retailer, ISTA, ASTM, ISO or internal procedure and define what constitutes damage or failure.
Prepare and condition the packaged product
Document the specimen, closure method, loading arrangement and initial condition. Apply the temperature, humidity or pressure conditioning required by the procedure, including exposure time, tolerances and any transfer or recovery limits.
Run the required distribution-hazard sequence
Perform the specified drop or shock, vibration and compression elements in the required order and at the stated severity. Use equipment whose working range, test space, controls and measurement channels cover the complete test configuration.
Inspect, measure and document the result
Record the equipment configuration, test parameters, observations, package damage and product functional checks. Compare the evidence with the pre-defined acceptance criteria and retain the data needed for review or repeat testing.
Result boundary: The findings apply to the tested specimen, configuration, procedure, severity and acceptance criteria. They do not guarantee every shipment or automatically establish regulatory approval.
Key Considerations for Your Packaging Test Equipment
01 · TEST PROGRAM
Select the current procedure first
Choose the procedure from the distribution channel, package type, mass and test objective—not from the most familiar standard number.
•Confirm the current ISTA, ASTM, ISO, retailer, carrier or internal procedure and revision.
•List every required element, sequence, severity level, conditioning step and inspection point.
•Separate screening, design comparison and distribution-performance objectives.
Example: ISTA 3E applies to similar packaged-products in unitized loads for full-truckload shipment; ASTM D7386 applies to packages up to 150 lb (68 kg) in single-parcel delivery systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Packaging Validation Labs
What should be defined before planning an in-house packaging validation lab?
Start with the testing objective and distribution route—not an equipment shopping list. The laboratory scope should be built from the packaged products, procedures, expected throughput and evidence your organization must produce.
01TEST OBJECTIVE
Define screening, design comparison or qualification
State whether the lab will compare prototypes, investigate damage, support routine quality control or execute a specified customer or industry procedure.
02PACKAGE SCOPE
Document the complete packaged-product range
Provide package types, minimum and maximum dimensions, gross mass, centre of gravity, pallet formats, contents and handling constraints.
03OPERATING SCOPE
Set throughput, staffing and reporting needs
Estimate batches, test frequency, operators, required records, available space, utilities and the acceptance or review workflow.
What determines the time required for a packaging validation program?
Duration cannot be estimated from the number of machines alone. It depends on specimen preparation, conditioning, procedure time, batch size, changeovers, inspections, repeats and report review.
01TEST TIME
Calculate every dwell, cycle and sequence
Include conditioning, vibration duration, compression hold, drop orientations and stabilization or recovery requirements.
02WORKFLOW TIME
Add setup, movement and inspection
Account for fixture changes, loading, specimen transfer, equipment availability, functional checks and report preparation.
03CONTINGENCY
Plan for invalid runs and approved repeats
Define what triggers a repeat, how deviations are reviewed and whether replacement specimens are available.
When should a company build an in-house packaging lab instead of using an external lab?
The decision depends on test frequency, development speed, confidentiality, specimen logistics, required procedures, staffing and the cost of maintaining reliable capability.
01IN-HOUSE CASE
Frequent testing and rapid design iteration
An internal lab can shorten feedback cycles when products, suppliers or packaging designs change regularly.
02EXTERNAL CASE
Specialist or infrequent procedures
A qualified third-party lab may be more practical for low-volume work, special apparatus, independent evidence or accreditation requirements.
03HYBRID CASE
Screen internally and qualify externally
Many organizations use internal equipment for development and routine checks while reserving formal or specialist work for an external laboratory.
Which capabilities belong in a complete packaging validation lab?
A complete lab is defined by the hazards and procedures it must cover. Common capabilities include conditioning, handling impact, vibration, compression and documented evaluation, but not every laboratory needs every machine.
01ATMOSPHERIC EXPOSURE
Condition or expose the package as required
Temperature, humidity or pressure requirements must be taken from the selected procedure and package route.
02MECHANICAL HAZARDS
Reproduce defined handling, transport and storage inputs
Use separate equipment for drop or shock, vibration and compression when the procedure requires those different physical inputs.
03EVALUATION
Inspect the package and product against criteria
Plan visual inspection, dimensional checks, leak or seal assessment, functional checks and any specialist measurements required after testing.
What acceptance criteria should be defined before packaging tests begin?
A test result is useful only when the organization has already defined what constitutes acceptable product and package performance. The equipment does not create pass/fail criteria.
01PRODUCT CONDITION
Define damage and functional limits
State allowable cosmetic change, loss of function, movement, leakage, breakage or performance degradation.
02PACKAGE CONDITION
Define protection and containment limits
Set criteria for closure, seal, deformation, puncture, crushing, label legibility, load stability and other relevant observations.
03DECISION RULE
Define who reviews and approves the result
Specify measurement limits, inspection timing, permitted deviations, disposition rules and the person responsible for approval.
How should conditioning, drop, vibration and compression be combined in one test sequence?
Use the order stated by the governing procedure or approved test plan. Sequence matters because one hazard can weaken the package and change its response to the next hazard.
01PRECONDITION
Prepare and condition the specimen consistently
Record contents, closure, loading and initial condition, then apply required temperature or humidity conditioning and transfer limits.
02SEQUENCE
Test the same configured unit where required
Run the specified handling, vibration and compression elements in order without opening or repairing the package unless the procedure permits it.
03INTERMEDIATE CHECKS
Inspect only at permitted points
Define when observations, measurements or functional checks may occur so inspection does not alter later performance.
What records make packaging test results repeatable and reviewable?
A report should let another qualified person understand what was tested, how it was configured, which procedure was followed and whether any deviation could affect the conclusion.
01SPECIMEN RECORD
Identify the exact product and package
Record sample ID, construction, contents, dimensions, mass, closure, conditioning history and pre-test condition.
02TEST RECORD
Capture setup, equipment and parameters
Include procedure revision, sequence, machine and sensor identification, calibration status, settings, raw data and observations.
03REVIEW RECORD
Document results, deviations and approval
State acceptance criteria, damage or functional findings, deviations, repeat tests, conclusion, reviewer and approval date.
How should an ISTA, ASTM, retailer or internal test procedure be selected?
Choose the procedure from the packaged product, distribution channel, shipment mode, mass, destination and test objective. Similar-looking procedures can use different hazard sequences, severities, apparatus and reporting rules.
01CURRENT DOCUMENT
Confirm the issuer, designation and revision
Use the complete current procedure and read its scope, exclusions, specimen rules, sequence and equipment requirements before configuring the lab.
02APPLICABILITY
Match the procedure to the actual distribution system
Confirm parcel, less-than-truckload, full-truckload, unitized-load, retailer-specific, cold-chain or other route conditions.
03DEVIATIONS
Document any change before testing
If the procedure is modified, record the rationale, approval, changed parameters and how the result will be interpreted.
Does standards-capable equipment make a packaging laboratory ISTA certified?
No. Owning equipment that can perform elements of an ISTA procedure does not by itself certify the laboratory or a packaged product. Certification and testing claims must follow the applicable ISTA program and current requirements.
01EQUIPMENT CAPABILITY
Document which procedures the installed equipment can perform
Working ranges, fixtures, controls, calibration and equipment qualification must cover the claimed procedure.
02LABORATORY SYSTEM
Maintain procedures, people and records
Laboratory processes, training, maintenance, document control and data integrity are separate from purchasing a machine.
03CLAIM CONTROL
Use certification language only when authorized
Do not describe the laboratory, equipment or package as ISTA certified unless the relevant certification or program requirements have been completed.
What information is needed for a packaging lab configuration and quotation review?
A useful review requires the complete test scope, specimen range, facility constraints and required evidence. A list of standard numbers or a target budget alone is not enough to confirm equipment suitability.
01METHODS
Send procedures, revisions and required sequences
Include customer or retailer requirements, severity levels, conditioning, inspections, acceptance criteria and permitted deviations.
02SPECIMENS
Send package drawings and operating demand
Provide dimensions, mass, centre of gravity, contents, pallet configuration, sample quantity, test frequency and handling restrictions.
03SITE & DELIVERY
Define utilities, access and responsibility
State installation location, floor and access limits, power and air, documentation, acceptance testing, training, support expectations and destination country.
