ASTM D3951 2015 – Commercial Packaging

ASTM D3951, “Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging,” has just been updated.  The new 2015 Edition is available in paper format, for pdf download, and in the redline edition from Document Center Inc. now.  It can also be added to your Standards Online company-wide subscription service.  The new edition cancels and replaces the previous 2010 Edition from 8/15/2010.

ASTM D3951 covers packaging requirements for supplies and equipment.  It’s not only widely used for commercial purposes but also for contract work for both the GSA (General Services Administration) and DoD (Department of Defense) here in the U.S.  One thing to note:  Packaging of dangerous goods is not addressed in this standard so if you’re transporting ammunition, explosives or other hazardous materials, you’ll use other specs and standards instead.

Changes in the new edition cover such simple issues as the updating of document numbers in the referenced documents section — like changing the call-out for ASTM D4727 to the new designation ASTM D4727/D4727M (reflects the use of both feet and inches and metric measurements within the publication).   But there are also changes in such areas as Marking and the addition of a new Appendix A on internal cushioning and dunnage materials.  While the new Appendix is not mandatory, it provides an additional 2 1/2 pages of important information for your use.

If you’re using this publication, you’ll need a copy of the new release.  Head to the Document Center Inc. webstore to order online.  It’s at www.document-center.com.  And here’s the direct link to the order page for ASTM D3951.  Need more help or information to make your purchasing decision?  Contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been an authorized distributor of the ASTM standards since the 1980’s.  Make us your Standards Experts!

New ASTM D3951 2010 Edition for Commercial Packaging released

ASTM D3951-98, Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging, has been revised with the release of the new 2010 Edition, ASTM D3951-10.  As you can see, this is the first revision of the standard in over 10 years.  It is one of Document Center’s most frequently ordered ASTM standards on packaging and is available now.

ASTM describes the standard as follows:  “(It)  covers the requirements for the commercial preservation, packaging, packing (exterior container), unitization, and marking for supplies and equipment. It provides for multiple handling and shipment by any mode, and storage periods of a minimum of one year in enclosed facilities without damage to the product. It also provides for package quantities suitable for redistribution without additional repackaging or marking. Planned storage that exceeds one year requires more than minimum requirements for physical and mechanical protection.”

You’ll want to know that this practice establishes minimum requirements for packaging of supplies and equipment as covered in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with the exclusion of  ammunition, explosives, or hazardous materials.  It is also referenced for some Department of Defense shipments not covered by MIL-STD-2073/1.

Copies of this new ASTM D3951-10 may be purchased in paper or pdf format from Document Center Inc. at www.document-center.com, info@document-center.com, by phone at 650-591-7600 and by fax at 650-591-7617.