How to Choose a Package Testing Laboratory

Not all package testing laboratories are equal. The lab you choose determines whether your test report will be accepted by retailers, regulators, and customers — and whether the results actually reflect your packaging\’s real-world performance. Choosing the wrong lab means retesting, rejected certifications, and wasted time. Here is what to evaluate before you send a single sample.

The Five Criteria That Matter

1. Accreditation — ISO 17025

This is non-negotiable. An ISO 17025 accredited laboratory has been independently assessed for technical competence, equipment calibration, measurement traceability, and quality management. Without accreditation, there is no independent verification that the lab\’s results are accurate or reproducible. Major retailers and pharmaceutical companies require ISO 17025 accredited test reports. Verify accreditation before you commit to a lab — ask for the accreditation certificate and confirm it is current through the accrediting body\’s public directory.

2. ISTA Certification

If your testing involves ISTA protocols, the lab must be an ISTA-certified member laboratory. Only ISTA-certified labs can issue ISTA test reports. ISTA maintains a public directory of certified member laboratories — verify the lab\’s certification status before testing. A lab that runs ISTA-equivalent tests without ISTA certification cannot issue an ISTA test report that retailers will accept.

3. APASS Qualification (for Amazon programs)

If you need Amazon APASS certification for FFP or SIOC programs, the lab must be Amazon APASS qualified. Only APASS-qualified labs can issue ISTA 6-Amazon.com test reports that Amazon accepts. Verify APASS qualification directly with Amazon\’s packaging team or through Amazon\’s supplier portal.

4. Equipment Capability

Confirm the lab\’s equipment matches your testing requirements before shipping samples. Key questions:

What is the maximum payload for vibration testing? (CertaPak: 2,000 lbs)
What is the compression force capacity? (CertaPak: 20,000 lbs)
What temperature and humidity range do chambers support? (CertaPak: -40°C to +70°C, 10–95% RH)
Is random vibration capability available? (Required for ISTA 3A and ASTM D4169)
Is high-speed camera documentation available for drop testing?

5. Turnaround and Communication

Testing delays cost real money. Confirm standard and rush turnaround times before committing. A lab that takes three weeks to deliver a report when you have a product launch timeline is not a viable partner. Also evaluate communication quality — does the lab confirm scope and sample requirements before you ship? Do they provide failure analysis and redesign guidance? Are engineers accessible when you have questions? CertaPak\’s standard turnaround is 48 hours from test completion.

Red Flags to Watch For

No ISO 17025 accreditation certificate available on request
Cannot verify ISTA certification in ISTA\’s member directory
Unclear or vague answers about equipment specifications
No written scope confirmation before you ship samples
No failure analysis or redesign guidance in failed test reports
Significantly lower prices than competitors (often indicates unaccredited testing)

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Lab

Are you ISO 17025 accredited, and can I see your current accreditation certificate?
Are you an ISTA-certified member laboratory?
Are you Amazon APASS qualified?
What is your standard report turnaround?
Do you provide failure analysis and redesign guidance for failed tests?
What is your equipment payload and force capacity?
Do you provide written scope confirmation before I ship samples?

Why Companies Choose CertaPak

CertaPak has been performing certified package testing since 1993. We are ISO 17025 accredited, ISTA certified, and Amazon APASS qualified. Our lab supports payloads up to 2,000 lbs for vibration testing, compression force up to 20,000 lbs, and environmental chambers from -40°C to +70°C. Standard report turnaround is 48 hours. Every failed test report includes failure mode analysis and redesign guidance — because our goal is your packaging passing, not just generating a test report.

Ready to work with a lab you can trust? Get a quote from CertaPak — scope confirmed in 24 hours, reports in 48.