SGS Consumer Testing Services announced an expansion of its package testing services with a global program to ensure packaging integrity for medical devices and pharmaceutical products. The program - announced at this week's EastPack 2010 conference in New York - offers one-stop testing of product containers, secondary packaging and transit packaging to evaluate the product protection capabilities, durability and environmental sustainability of all package components.

SGS's network of package testing laboratories around the world have the ability to:

  --  Test medical and pharmaceutical product container materials for
      adherence to industry-standard physical, chemical and biological
      specifications designed to maintain the quality of the products they
      house. USP, EuP and other tests cover glass, plastic, rubber closure,
      blister packs and plastic bags, with method development and validation
      available for new materials.

  --  Measure secondary and transit packaging durability by simulating
      conditions encountered during shipping and handling. SGS capabilities
      include testing for drop, stacking and weight loading, vibration,
      incline impact, extreme pressure changes, temperature, humidity and
      weathering per ASTM standards.

  --  Assess the eco-performance of 'green' packaging designs, including the
      package's carbon footprint, material toxicity, and lifecycle impact
      from raw materials sourcing to disposal. SGS' global network of
      eco-design experts can both validate package performance and verify
      eco-claims.

These services are available at any stage of package design, from new concept development to final design selection. SGS is certified to test packaging for compliance to standards by the major accrediting organizations, including the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), United Nations/Department of Transportation (UN/DOT), International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDB), TAPPI, ASTM, ISO, ANSI, UFC, IATA, ICAO and ISTA.

"This new program provides a total package testing solution for medical device and pharmaceutical product manufacturers," said Rob Parrish, Managing Director for SGS Consumer Testing Services in North America. "Companies in these industries can now have all of their package testing needs - from heavy metal/impurity detection and biocompatibility evaluation to physical performance and sustainability assessment - handled by a single source."

SGS is exhibiting in Booth #EP133651 at the EastPack 2010 conference running June 8-10 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. More information about SGS' medical/pharmaceutical package testing services is available by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-777-TEST.

SOURCE: SGS

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