Packaging is more than just aesthetics—it serves as the primary line of defence between a product and the harsh realities of transit. Whether your goods are travelling to a neighbouring town or embarking on a long haul across Europe, they will encounter vibrations, shocks, and impacts from vehicles, conveyor belts, and handling equipment. Without robust packaging, both the exterior and the products inside risk significant damage.

Why Shock & Vibration Testing is Essential

A high-quality product is of little value if it fails to arrive intact. The transportation process is fraught with risks, and vibration and shock are two of the most common culprits. For packaging engineers, these tests are not just about damage prevention—they are about optimising packaging performance, reducing costs, and meeting increasingly stringent customer expectations.

Key benefits of shock and vibration testing:

• Ensures product safety – Prevents damage that could lead to costly replacements and reputational harm.

• Validates design choices – Identifies weaknesses early, avoiding expensive redesigns post-launch.

• Supports sustainability – Helps minimise material use by proving durability with optimised packaging.

• Demonstrates compliance – Aligns with UK and international regulations, reassuring customers of your supply chain’s reliability.

Shock, vibration, and bump testing replicate the conditions your packaging will face during transport. Whether it is the continuous vibration from road travel, sudden shocks from handling, or repeated bumps during loading and unloading, these tests ensure your packaging can withstand the journey.

Types of Testing and Their Purpose

• Shock Testing – Simulates high-impact forces from handling or accidental drops, ensuring packaging can absorb sudden impacts.

• Bump Testing – Recreates repetitive, less intense impacts that occur during loading, unloading, and transit.

• Random Vibration Testing – Mimics the unpredictable mix of frequencies experienced in real-world transportation.

• Resonance Testing – Identifies frequencies that pose the greatest risk to packaging integrity, helping refine protective designs.

By gaining insights from these tests, businesses can refine and retest designs until they meet required performance standards.

Industry Standards: Protecting Your Products in Transit

Packaging is not just about containment—it acts as a shield against transportation hazards. From the jolts of bumpy roads to the relentless vibrations of an aircraft cargo hold, your packaging must be built to endure. Industry standards ensure packaging meets rigorous performance criteria and remains fit for purpose throughout its journey. In the UK market, the following standards are key:

• BS EN 22248 – Vertical Vibration Testing

  • A widely used European standard, particularly relevant for road transportation where continuous vibrations are a significant concern.

• ISO 11607 – Medical Device Packaging

  • Ensures sterile medical packaging remains intact during transport, maintaining sterility and product integrity.

• ASTM D4169 – Comprehensive Shipping Container Testing

  • Simulates real-world shipping conditions, testing for vibrations, stacking pressures, handling stresses, and environmental factors.

• ISTA Protocols – Tailored Logistics Testing

  • Designed by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), these protocols validate packaging for modern logistics, including e-commerce and retail supply chains.

Performance That Delivers Results

In the packaging industry, performance is everything. Shock, vibration, and bump testing are not only about preventing damage but also about showcasing a commitment to quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

CentraTEQ provides an extensive range of shock test machines, including:

• AVEX Shock Test Machines, capable of delivering half-sine, sawtooth, and square-wave shock pulses up to 30,000G.

• Inclined Impact Test Machines and High-Speed Shock Testers, designed to replicate transportation dynamics.

• Drop Test Machines and Bump Test Machines, ideal for repetitive impact assessments.

Our cutting-edge solutions provide packaging departments and manufacturers with data-driven insights to ensure packaging integrity and transport readiness.

Ensure your packaging meets the highest performance standards—contact CentraTEQ today for expert guidance on shock and vibration testing solutions.