SGS, the world’s leading inspection,
verification, testing and certification company, has launched new comprehensive testing protocol for footwear packaging – a first
for the footwear industry.
The innovative testing protocol is designed to support brand owners and
retailers, including e-commerce, to have confidence that their packaging will
perform well, meet environmental and sustainability standards and ensure consumers
receive footwear in the best possible condition.
John O’Connell, Global Packaging Director, SGS, said: “It is astounding
that, until now, the industry had no available comprehensive testing protocol
for its packaging.
“Brand owners and retailers need the assurance
that their packaging will be robust enough to meet all the demands of storage,
transit and display and that, ultimately, their customers will enjoy the box-opening experience exactly as they
intended.
“Our new, testing protocol supports the industry to deliver just that, whilst helping organizations to protect
their brands and gain competitive advantage.”
SGS’s first comprehensive testing
method for footwear packaging addresses the huge demands placed on packaging to withstand
the physical rigors of transportation and the retail environment, including
e-commerce. Testing covers the following areas:
- Physical
performance - Appearance,
color fastness, color/print transfer - Sustainability
- Chemical
and regulatory requirements - Consumer
and ‘shopability’ - ISTA
transit testing
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Transit testing,
including ISTA 6-Amazon and the Amazon FFP certification process, is carried
out against across SGS’s global
network of ISTA accredited laboratories. ISTA’s Transit Certification mark demonstrates
to carriers that packaging provides the correct level of protection and services.
Testing includes:
- Environmental (temperature extremes,
UV etc.) - Shock
- Vibration
- Compression
- Impact
- Moisture
- Forklift and clamping testing
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Protocols also cover manufacturing quality, which organizations can
demonstrate through a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from SGS. This ensures the
quality and consistency of packaging components and validates the manufacturing
process from raw materials through finishing and testing of the final package
against performance specifications.
The comprehensive
protocols also provide consumer and ‘shopability’ testing using consumer panels to evaluate whether packaging
will meet expectations. Additional insight can be provided regarding a
product’s positioning against competitors and consumers’ reactions to the
box-opening-experience.
About SGS Packaging Testing Services
From its unique
global network of ISTA accredited test laboratories, SGS provides a
comprehensive range of packaging testing services to help manufacturers and
suppliers ensure their products are effectively protected during distribution.
With in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge
testing methodologies and packaging regulations, SGS can test packages
according to CPSIA, ISTA, TAPPI, ASTM, ISO, ANSI, UNDOT, TPCH and REACH. Learn more.
For more information on this service, please
contact:
Paul
Bridge
Deputy VP Global Footwear and Leather
SGS Connectivity & Products
Email: CP.media@sgs.com
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection,
verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the
global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees,
SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.