1

To simulate real life in the lab under controlled yet accelerated conditions.

2

Micom:• Third party laboratory• Dorval, Qc• 14 years in business• 15 employees• 15 000 sq feet• ISTA accredited lab• ISTA technical council

member• Transport Canada• Standards Council of Canada • CGSB• PAC member• Pharmaceutical industry

3

Laboratory services

Pre-Shipment Materials Product

certification and validation

4

Pre-Shipment Testing

Packaging Certification

Transport Simulation Packaging

Optimisation Packaging

components mechanical properties

5

Differences: Cold chain testing Altitude chamber ISTA 3A (volume) ISTA 3B ISTA 4AB ISTA 6 FedEx ISTA 6 Sam’s Club

6

Laboratory testing

• Controlled conditions =• reproducible • Allows to break down complex

distribution dynamics into individual test parameters

• Allows to observe in real time how the packaging reacts to the applied stress.

• More accurate assessment of the packaging design which can prevent over packaging.

• Tests: Powerful tools to make informed decisions

• Representative results with limited number of samples.

Ship Test

• Easy design of experiment• Easy to carry• Apparently cheap

• False feeling of security• Uncontrolled conditions• No real time information.• Limited reproducibility

7

Damage probability during trial shipment:

Damage rate: 10% 3%Success rate for first shipment: 90% 97%Success rate for 2nd shipment : 81% 94% “ “ “ 3rd : 73% 91% “ “ “ 4th : 66% 89% “ “ “ 5th : 59% 86% “ “ “ 6th : 53% 83% “ “ “ 22nd : 10% 51%

8

Typical prices (reference only)

9

Test Price ($)ISTA 1A 495.00ISTA 2A 1050.00ISTA 3A 835.00ISTA 3B (pallet, 4 hours vib) 2670.00Vibration hourly rate 300.00/hr + handlingDrop test only (10 X) 210.00CAN/CGSB 43.150 (UN box, Standard)

1875.00CAN/CGSB 43.150 (UN box, Combination Packaging)

2595.00

Requirements, specs,

standards

ISTA ASTM UN/TMD NCC MIL-STD-810 Sears US Wal-Mart.com Cold Chain

Distribution Hazard

• Compression • Drops• Vibrations• Impact• Temperature / Relative humidity• Handling

• Clamp• Obstacle course

• Altitude

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Packaging Sustainability

• (2009) World food industry: $US: 4.2 trillions (USDA)• Only 43 % of food calories produced are consumed(International Waste

Management Institute)• Damage to products in distribution within Europe estimated

to be : $US 3 billion (EU, SRETS, final report1999).

• Worldwide annual losses in distribution: > $US 100 billions• ISTA –Responsible Packaging by Design Guide• PAC-NEXT• Large Retailers

17

Michel Comtois, President (mcomtois@micomlab.com)

1-888-99-MICOM

David Rousseau, Lab Manager(drousseau@micomlab.com)

18