APASS Certification
APASS Certification
Onyx can test and certify your packaging without additional testing or documentation from Amazon. Our program includes all three tiers of testing, FFP, SIOC and PFP. We offer Amazon packaging design and testing support and are part of Amazon’s APASS network program. APASS stands for the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network. The APASS program was designed by Amazon to help support vendors, sellers and manufacturers to obtain certification of their product packaging as Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP), Ships-in-Own-Container (SIOC) or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) including robust ISTA 6A level package testing. Knowing which tier (FFP, SIOC, PFP) your products fall into is important. Each tier has its own requirements and advantages. (The client has a great chart on their website that explains this)
The Onyx Packaging Amazon A6 ISTA labs are located in the United States. Onyx Packaging provides APASS services directly to vendors, sellers or manufacturers related to package engineering, sourcing, and testing in compliance with Amazon’s packaging guidelines. E-Commerce has revolutionized the way people shop and how businesses ship their products.
At Onyx Packaging we are committed to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. We are excited and honored to be part of the Amazon APASS Network. We look forward to not only providing frustration free packaging for customers, but making the process of converting to the new packaging guidelines frustration free for Amazon’s vendors as well.
What is Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging?
According to Amazon’s own definition, Frustration-Free Packaging is packaging that is made of 100% recyclable materials, easy to open, and designed to ship products in their original packaging, which eliminates the need for an additional shipping box. “Frustration-Free Packaging” was designed with the customer in mind, making it easier to liberate products from their packages while also reducing waste. Amazon implemented this program to fulfill its two-part goal of increasing customer satisfaction by reducing defective product delivery and decreasing the environmental impact.
Frustration Free Packaging Should Be:
- – Protective
- – Cost Effective
- – Easy To Open
- – Low Waste
APASS FAQs
ISTA is a not-for-profit trade association with a mission to empower organizations and their people to minimize product damage throughout distribution and optimize resource usage through effective package design. In efforts to achieve this mission ISTA develops testing protocols and design standards that define how packages should perform to ensure protection of their contents during the ever-changing risks of the global distribution environment. ISTA serves as a global certifying body for testing facilities like Onyx Packaging, that can perform these tests. ISTA staff does not have any testing facilities and does not perform testing as a service.
You need to contact Onyx Packaging, an ISTA certified testing lab capable of performing the testing you require.
ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC Packaged-Product Test Types:
Type A:
- Shipment Method: Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: Less than 50 lb (23 kg) & Girth equal to or less than 165” (4.19 m)
Type B:
- Shipment Method: Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: 50 lb (23 kg) to Less than 100 lb (45 kg) & Girth equal to or less than 165” (4.19 m)
Type C:
- Shipment Method: Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: 100 lb (45 kg) or Greater & Girth equal to or less than 165” (4.19 m)
Type D:
- Shipment Method: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: Less than 100 lb (45 kg) or Girth greater than 165’’ (4.19 m)
Type E:
- Shipment Method: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: 100 lb (45 kg) or Greater or Girth greater than 165’’ (4.19 m)
Type F:
- Shipment Method: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Pallet Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: N/A & N/A
Type G: TV/Monitor
- Product Category: TV/Monitor
- Shipment Method: Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: Less than 150 lb (68 kg) & Girth equal to or less than 165’’ (4.19 m)
Type H: TV/Monitor
- Product Category: TV/Monitor
- Shipment Method: Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products
- Handling Method: Standard Handling Method
- Weight & Dimensions: 150 lb (68 kg) or Greater or Girth greater than 165’’ (4.19 m)
As stated in Amazon’s letter to its vendors “Packaging is a critical component of providing a great customer experience and an important part of our sustainability mission at Amazon.”
Amazon’s Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS) is a program that was initiated by, and is led by, Amazon.
It is important to know that Amazon will accept test reports from any ISTA certified lab that is 6-Amazon.com capable. Onyx Packaging is an ISTA Certified Lab. Please call us with any questions. Our APASS training focused on personnel and is intended to establish a general understanding of how to conduct the testing protocols as well as how to interact with Amazon’s Vendor Portal.
ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. This is Amazon’s term for Stock-Keeping Unit (SKU).
Contact Onyx Packaging. ISTA is only able to address matters that relate to the test protocols themselves. Amazon is leveraging ISTA’s test protocols as part of an Amazon led initiative to help vendors enhance their packaging.
You can contact Onyx Packaging. We do testing at our facilities and can do any testing required
Timing will vary on the item that requires testing. Please call Onyx Packaging to get a free estimate on your initiative.
Onyx Packaging, An ISTA certified lab, will provide a quote for testing services.
There is no requirement for the test reports to be sent to ISTA; however, ISTA members can submit their reports for ISTA verification and ISTA Package Certification.
These determinations are dependent upon the particular product, package, distribution system, market, customers, and other factors and can vary widely. Therefore product damage and allowable package degradation must be defined by the shipper, manufacturer, damage claim group, and/or other stakeholders and interested parties. In most cases, the shipper/manufacturer is in the best position to define product damage due to detailed familiarity with the product. Sometimes others may contribute to these determinations, including carriers and test lab personnel. But in any case, definition and agreement should be reached cooperatively among all entities concerned with safe arrival of the shipment, low damage rates, cost effective packaging, etc.
Yes, ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC accounts for fragile and liquid products.
Below is summary for your reference.
i. Must Pass ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC test protocol
ii. Product-to-Packaging Ratio (>30% for Fragile Products & >50% for Non-Fragile)
iii. Recyclable Packaging (100% Curbside recyclable materials)
iv. Easy-to-Open (Less the 120 seconds)
Additional questions can be directed to Onyx Packaging
NO
Onyx Packaging will provide the appropriate report to you upon completion of the testing.