The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) is an organisation focused on the challenges of transport packaging, developing standards, educational programmes and tools to support effective packaging and distribution systems.
For more than 50 years, Smithers has provided distribution testing and technical consulting for retail and industrial supply chains. Alongside tailored test programmes developed for individual clients, our specialists use and have extensive knowledge of internationally recognised distribution test standards, including those developed by ISTA.
Smithers has been a member of ISTA since the 1990s and has maintained a long-standing involvement in the organisation's technical and industry activities
Supporting ISTA research and development
Smithers has supported ISTA initiatives including its Advocate Research and Value Delivery Program, established to advance research, data and testing methodologies relating to the shipment of packaged goods and products.
Through involvement in ISTA research and technical activities, Smithers has contributed practical distribution testing expertise and industry knowledge to support the continued development of packaging test methods.
Participation in ISTA boards and technical activities
Over many years, Smithers experts have held roles on ISTA's Global and European Boards and participated in its technical and educational activities.
More recently, Sam Sheppard Fidler, Regional Vice President, Materials Science and Engineering, has held roles on both the ISTA Global and European Boards, while James White currently serves as a Member at Large on the ISTA European Board of Directors. Other Smithers specialists have also contributed to ISTA's technical and educational activities.
This ongoing involvement gives Smithers specialists the opportunity to contribute practical laboratory and supply chain experience to the wider development of distribution testing knowledge and methods.
ISTA Certified Packaging Professional (CPLPs)
Smithers specialists have also achieved ISTA Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) certification, supporting technical expertise across our distribution testing capabilities.
European Retail Supply Chain laboratory test method – ISTA Project 3K
In 2011, Smithers made its European Retail Supply Chain laboratory test method available to ISTA. The method became ISTA Project 3K, developed to assess the performance of fast-moving consumer goods under the mixed-load conditions commonly encountered in European retail distribution.
The basis for 3K was a multi-client research project designed and undertaken by Smithers in 2005. The project investigated European retail supply chain practices and developed laboratory tests to represent conditions including mixed pallets and roll cages.
The resulting work provided a more focused approach to assessing retail distribution conditions and forms part of Smithers' long-standing contribution to the development of distribution testing methods.
Talk to an expert about distribution testing
Talk to our distribution testing specialists about your product, packaging and supply chain requirements and the most appropriate testing approach for your needs.
