Two EPS quotes may not cover the same physical product: one is a sheet or cut part, the other a finished box with lid and outer carton. The specification therefore writes the scope of delivery (body, lid, outer carton, liner, coolant; part codes, quantities, assembly state) together with the transport task the box has to do.
Measurable lines. Internal and external dimensions are written separately, because pallet fill is calculated from the external one. Lid seating, density, wall thickness and stacking strength are stated too; for density and thickness the technical document of the model and the measuring method are attached. Performance is written as a duration: with the stated product and coolant load, at the stated ambient temperature, the product core does not exceed the stated temperature after the stated number of hours.
Testing and food contact. The sample is tested as the full pack at the ambient temperature of the route. WHO treats qualification of shipping containers in three stages, design, operational and performance, and assesses route temperature with the degree-hour concept. The test records the position of the sensor near the product, starting conditions, duration, lid openings and the acceptance limit. If the box is to be reused, the clause also says there is no corner breakage or loss of lid seating after the stated number of uses.
Where the product touches the foam, Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 limits overall migration to 10 mg/dm² (Article 12), and the declaration of compliance states food type, contact time and temperature.
When compared with a returnable insulated container such as Isotec, the sheet price is not the basis: two ready systems that carry the same packed load on the same task are compared together with the parts and preparation they need.
