PDF Test Request Forms

Notice: 9/14/07

Pro-Pack Testing Laboratory, Inc. is now offering Online Test Request eForms in PDF format. This new format is an interactive form that is easier to read and fill-in than previous forms. We have implement two new formats through-out our site.

Online Test Request eForms: The online version of our test request forms allow you to register into our system, fill-in and submit a test request form online and view how the test is progressing through the various stages. You can upload attachments, documentation, images or anything else you would like to attach to your test reqeust form. This is a totally interacctive system in real-time. Want more information >>
Static Test Request Forms: The main part of our site allows you to view test request forms, fill them in and print them out. From there you can fax or mail your test request form to us for processing.

By using the free Adobe Reader, it is now easier for you to fill in a form and submit it it to us directly or you can print it out and fax it in. Try it out.

Note: There are some forms that have not yet been converted, but these will be soon.

Spotlight on ISTA Certified Testing Laboratory

Notice: 2/12/07

Pro-Pack Testing Laboratory, Inc. Celebrates 25th Anniversary and is in the SPOTLIGHT with a featured article in the ISTA magazine.

Read all about it (PDF)>>

Pro-Pack Adds Electronic Payment Services

Notice: 8/22/06

In our continued effort to serve our customers, we have added the ability to receive and pay securely all invoices for work completed here at Pro-Pack. We can e-mail your invoice directly to you or your accounts payable department and all invoices can be paid with Discover, American Express, Visa or Mastercard online via a secure internet connection.

Please send an e-mail requesting this option to m.rosa@propacktestlab.com with the applicable contact information to establish direct payment capabilities.

If you wish, we can also e-mail the invoice and that invoice can be printed out and submitted with payment as well. Please note that our terms of payment are Net 30.

Attn: Changes to UN/D.O.T. Test Report Format...

Notice: 3/1/06

Changes to UN/D.O.T. Test Report Format and Price Structure for Hazardous Materials Certifications.

Pro-Pack has completed the new test report format as per D.O.T.’s requirements. This new report format will go into effect for all packages that require UN/D.O.T. Certification received on or after March 1^st, 2006. There are some changes to way the test report looks as compared to prior test reports from Pro-Pack Testing Lab. There is a greater amount of detail in the new report. There are also some additional requirements with regards to the information supplied by shippers when issuing a UN/D.O.T Certified Test Report. Our Test Request Forms will be modified to reflect this additional required information in the very near future.

In the past, packaging specifications on all components of the package were strongly recommended but not required. Now we MUST receive specifications on ALL components of the package before we can issue a certified test report. This includes specifications to the outer package, the inner package, all packaging components as well as all applicable closures. In nearly every case, these specifications can be obtained from the manufacturer of the packaging component (box, bottle, cap, tape, etc).

In addition, Pro-Pack can no longer list “Hand Tight” for any closures of any packaging component. D.O.T insists that there must be a measurable and reproducible means of closing all closures listed within each certified report. This must either be a numerical value in inch or foot lbs or at the very least something to the effect of “3.5 revolutions of the cap upon thread engagement”. D.O.T. has made the point that anyone who obtains a copy of the test report should be able to accurately assemble all the packaging components including closures without any outside help. Any report found by D.O.T. to include “Hand Tight” when listing closure torque will be rejected and the shipper may be contacted. This could affect the Third Party Test Lab’s ability to continue to provide this service and also the ability of the shipper to continue to ship the package in question

As a result of the additional information required and effort expended to certify packages for hazardous materials, it was necessary for Pro-Pack to increase the costs of these tests. Please complete the proper “Test Request Form” and submit it to us in order to receive the updated price. Pro-Pack has done everything to keep the price increase to a minimum and also will be adding some features to this website to help customers get their packages certified as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please call with any questions or concerns regarding these new requirements.

Attn: Hazardous Material Update...

Notice: 2/24/06

D.O.T Issues Approval for Changes in Fiberboard Boxes determined.

In an approval issued to the Fibre Box Association, D.O.T. has approved changes in fiberboard components plus or minus 5% from the measured value in the initial design qualification. It is important to remember that the plus or minus 5% is NOT from nominal values but from the actual measured values when doing the materials analysis at the time of the certification.

As an example, if a 200 board grade is currently being used, once Pro-Pack performs the materials analysis on that particular liner/medium combination, a shipper may not deviate more than 5% from those measured values for the lifetime of that certification. If your 200 lb board grade has liners that weigh 41.7 and 43.6 with a medium that weighs 23.8 then THOSE are the values that may be deviated from plus or minus 5% for the lifetime of that certification.

Any liner/medium combination that is outside of the plus or minus 5% tolerance will be considered a "different" packaging and will be considered a new certification.

Attn: Shippers of Hazardous Material...

Notice: 11/8/05

Pro-Pack performs the following physical property tests on corrugated or paper materials. All tests are performed as per TAPPI and/or ASTM testing standards. See list below. Click "Test Request Form" to submit a formal request for quotation which may be submitted via e-mail or fax.
On November 8^th and 9^th , the Third Party Test Labs met with the Department of Transportation to discuss changes in the test reports for packages containing hazardous materials. The D.O.T has issued a report format that ALL Third Party Test Labs are to use in the future. The effective date has yet to be determined.

Pro-Pack Testing Laboratory, Inc. is currently working on moving to the new reporting format. The new test report format required by D.O.T. will force all Third party Test Labs to provide all information or risk losing their approval to do such testing. This will mean more work for the shippers of hazardous materials packages as well as the Third Party Test Labs performing the certifications on such packages.

Attn: Users of Small Parcel Carriers...

Notice: 1/1/06

On January 1, 2005, UPS modified its tariff to reference the new ISTA Procedure 3A as the minimum acceptable test level for any package moving within the UPS system.

The ISTA Procedure 3A is for Packaged-Products for Parcel System Shipment 70 kg (150 lbs) or Less. This testing standard covers many types of packages including Standard, Flat, Elongated and Small packages. The ISTA 3A incorporates all of the latest information with regards to multiple drops from various drop heights, drops onto hazards and mode specific vibration profiles (including an optional air shipment vibration) as measured in today's small parcel environment. The previous minimum acceptable test level or standard was the ISTA 1A.

The ISTA 3A is a far more comprehensive test series by way of comparison and does a much better job of predicting package performance in the small parcel environment. While other carriers (Fed Ex, DHL, etc) do not require that packages that travel in their systems meet the ISTA 3A standard, both carriers recognize ISTA certified packages.

To obtain a copy of or to learn more about the ISTA 3A Test Procedure visit www.ista.org