Laboratory tests examining the ability of shipping containers to withstand distribution environments and hazards may soon have an updated ASTM standard to follow. ASTM member Bryan Williams, a technical marketing specialist at Lansmont Corp., says that the standard provides a framework for companies to determine how to simulate different shipping and handling conditions. These cost effective tests give businesses the opportunity to design packaging that provides adequate protection.

International ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging is currently revising the standard D4169, Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems. The committee is particularly interested in gathering more input from heavy users of the standard, although it says all interested parties are welcome to join in the ongoing process.

Prior to its next meeting (April 26-29 in Anaheim, Calif.), the committee says it would like to hear feedback on the suggested change to random vibration profiles. The group hopes to determine whether new profiles or existing profiles best correlate with performance in the field. At the meeting, committee members hope to finalize the latest set of revisions.

D4169 is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and Systems-Application of Performance Test Methods, part of D10.