Jack asks:
I have box manufacturer that is making boxes for my client. There have been some performance issues, so we are testing to see if the boxes are actually rated at specs on the BMC. If they are not rated per the BMC, does the manufacturer have any liability if they do not produce what is actually stamped on the BMC? If they are selling me 32 ECT, and it turns out the boxes are not rated within 32 ECT parameters, do they have to become compliant to the specs in which they are selling them to me?
The box manufacturer is required to deliver to the unloading dock of the user, in this case, a minimum 32 ECT combined board converted into a corrugated container. The manufacturer is also responsible for meeting the strength level stated in the BMC.
However, there are several deterioration factors in, storage, filling and supply chain dynamics that can reduce the ECT of the container that was delivered to the user. Any, or all of these factors could cause the box to fail.
If you want to verify the ECT of the cartons, it’s best to select a sample, or samples, immediately upon delivery to your client’s unloading dock. Then take the carton directly to a testing facility and have it tested.
If the boxes are to spec and your client continues to experience box failures, you, and/or your client, may want to evaluate the cycle of the box from the unloading dock to the point of failure and perhaps beyond. Stack heights, storage and handling procedures, the environment (both high and low humidity), automated equipment and even an employee using a stack of folded boxes as a place to take a load off his or her feet and affect the ECT of a box.
Let us know what you find out and if we can be any more help, just pass a message along.
-Ralph
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