ASTM D6198-00
(Guide)Standard Guide for Transport Packaging Design
Standard Guide for Transport Packaging Design
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers an approach to design of packaging for distributing goods through the hazards of handling, storage, and transportation.
1.2 The principal content of this guide is the identification of the key steps involved in development of transport packages, including shipping containers, interior protective packaging, and unit loads. It is recognized that actual usage and application to individual design projects may vary appreciably without diminishing the value of the process. Consult with a packaging professional whenever needed.
1.3 This guide is not intended for design of primary packaging unless the primary package is planned for use as a shipping container.
1.4 The user of this guide must be aware of the carrier rules regarding packaging for shipment via each mode of transportation in which the transport package may move, such as the National Motor Freight Classification (less-than truckload) and the Uniform Freight Classification (railroad). For hazardous materials packaging, the packaging must perform to the requirements of the applicable modal regulations listed in Section 2.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 6198 – 00
Standard Guide for
Transport Packaging Design
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6198; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 1974 Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing and Rein-
forcing Fiberboard Boxes
1.1 This guide covers an approach to design of packaging
D 3332 Test Methods for Mechanical-Shock Fragility of
for distributing goods through the hazards of handling, storage,
Products, Using Shock Machines
and transportation.
D 3580 Test Method for Vibration (Vertical Linear Motion)
1.2 The principal content of this guide is the identification
Test of Products
of the key steps involved in development of transport pack-
D 4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
ages, including shipping containers, interior protective pack-
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
aging, and unit loads. It is recognized that actual usage and
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
application to individual design projects may vary appreciably
tainers and Systems
without diminishing the value of the process. Consult with a
D 4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of
packaging professional whenever needed.
Shipping Containers
1.3 This guide is not intended for design of primary pack-
D 4919 Specification for Testing of Hazardous Materials
aging, if the primary package is not planned for use as a
Packaging
shipping container.
D 5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
1.4 The user of this guide must be aware of the carrier rules
Free Fall
regarding packaging for shipment via each mode of transpor-
D 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Con-
tation in which the transport package may move, such as the
tainers by Shock Machines
National Motor Freight Classification (less-than truckload) and
D 6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
the Uniform Freight Classification (railroad). For hazardous
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
materials packaging, the packaging must perform to the re-
D 6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized
quirements of the applicable modal regulations listed in Sec-
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
tion 2.
D 6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to Transport
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Packages
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.2 ISO Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ISO 4180 Complete Filled Transport Packages—General
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Rules for the Compilation of Performance Test Schedules
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.3 Other Documents:
2. Referenced Documents
National Motor Freight Classification
Uniform Freight Classification, Rail Publication Service
2.1 ASTM Standards:
International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instruc-
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
tions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
IMDG Code, International Maritime Dangerous Goods
Loads
Code
D 880 Test Method for Impact Testing of Shipping Contain-
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
ers and Systems
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ments
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
D 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Containers
Available from National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc., American
Trucking Associations, 2200 Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Available from 151 Ellis Street NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA, 33035-6021.
1 6
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on Packaging Available from ICAO, Suite 400, 1000 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec,
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Application of H3A 2R2 Canada.
Performance Test Methods. Available from International Marine Organization, 4 Albert Embankment,
Current edition approved April 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally London, Ontario 5E1 7SR Canada.
published as D 6198 – 98. Last previous edition D 6198 – 98. Available from IATA, Customer Service Rep., 2000 Peel St., Montreal, Quebec
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. H3A 2R4.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6198
United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Trans- 5.3 Determine Marketing and Distribution Requirements:
portation (CFR-49)
5.3.1 Package design must include consideration of market-
International Safe Transit Association Procedures 1, 1A, 2,
ing and distribution requisites in addition to product character-
2A
istics. These requirements, in many cases, take the form of
marketing graphics, product identification, and compliance
3. Terminology
labeling.
3.1 Definitions— General definitions for packaging and
5.3.1.1 Compliance labeling can also take many forms.
distribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
Some items to consider are identification of country of origin,
hazardous materials transportation regulations, Truth in Pack-
4. Significance and Use
aging requirements, and bar coding. Besides the actual printed
4.1 This guide assists users in design and development of
graphics, one may want to consider proper substrate for
packaging intended for the protection of goods while they are
printing and any required coatings.
in transit from point of origin to final destination. By following
5.3.1.2 Distribution requirements can likewise take on many
the step by step approach, users will be assured that no
forms of consideration including: the number of units that will
important factors are overlooked in package design.
ship in a container; the composition and attributes of the
4.2 The design process focuses on protection from hazards
primary package; the identity of customers and their handling
of handling and shipping while recognizing the need to balance
and storage requirements; the package disposal criteria; total
the economics of all facets in distribution, including packaging
volume expected per shift/day/year; expected life cycle; the
materials and labor, handling, storage, and transportation.
planned modes of transport; domestic and international rules or
regulations for packaging via those transport modes; types of
5. Procedure
distribution channels; maximizing loads in carrier vehicles;
5.1 Introduction:
freight classification; handling and storage requirements; pro-
5.1.1 Although no single procedure can be expected to meet
duction equipment; environmental issues; etc.
all requirements for all design options, there are general areas
5.3.1.3 This listing is not all inclusive and other consider-
of information that are necessary for the design process to be
ations than these also may be important to the total package
most useful. The more information in each of these areas that
design.
can be obtained accurately, the greater the probability of
5.4 Identify Environmental Hazards Your Packages May
optimizing the final design for cost performance utility, time-
Encounter—Knowledge of the distribution environment is key
liness, and environmental considerations. Other interested
to designing an optimum transport package. Major hazards to
parties, such as customers or end users, should be contacted for
be expected in the environment are: rough handling; vibration
any specific package design criteria.
and shock in-transit; compression in storage or in-transit; high
5.1.2 The following sequence, listed in 5.2-5.11, may not
humidity and water; atmospheric pressure; salt/corrosion; static
always be applicable to every design process and may be
electricity; temperature extremes; and puncturing forces. Iden-
changed to fit particular circumstances, products, markets,
tifying these hazards and quantifying them may include obser-
distribution methods, etc. Environmental hazards presented by
vation, conducting measurements, or reading research reports
the distribution environment (see 5.4) may be known long
(see the references listed in Practice D 4169).
before a new product (see 5.2) is fully designed or ready for
5.5 Consider All Available Alternatives:
distribution (see 5.3). Such knowledge can in fact contribute to
5.5.1 There are many alternatives available for shipping
the design of the product to ultimately reduce the amount of
containers, interior protective packaging, and unit loads. All
packaging that will eventually be required. The user of this
should be considered and reviewed before selecting the final
guide is encouraged to examine each particular situation and
types for further development. Trade-off analysis techniques
decide the best order in which to proceed, without omitting any
such as make versus buy often help. Rather than considering
of the basic steps that follow.
only materials that one has experience with, comparing paper
5.2 Identify Physical Characteristics of the Package
versus plastic versus wood versus metal is a good exercise at
Contents—It is important to know more about the package
times to assure the optimum solution for a particular project.
contents (goods) than simply its dimensions and weight. The
package designer must be aware of physical and chemical 5.5.2 Three major factors influencing selection of alterna-
tives are: package performance, total system cost, and envi-
characteristics and hazardous properties so proper packaging
can be developed. These include: susceptibility to abrasion, ronmental impact of mate
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