DLA TROOP SUPPORT SUBSISTENCE INSPECTION MANUAL 4155.6 

 SUBSECTION 207.8 

September 2011 * 

TESTING 

Packaging, Packing, Labeling, Unitization and Marking 

(PPLU&M) 

I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE . The purpose of this Subsection is to document the established levels of 

testing of PPLU&M to be used when the contract/specification does not incorporate the required criteria. 

These procedures are applicable to quality assurance personnel reviewing specifications and preparing 

Quality Assurance Letters of Instruction (QALIs) for DCMA’s use, and to inspectors of PPLU&M, which 

include USDA, USDC, VETCOM, and DLA TROOP SUPPORT personnel. 

II. BACKGROUND. When authorized by the contract, the contractor or an authorized representative 

shall furnish the Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) or other Government inspection personnel a 

Certificate of Conformance (CoC), certifying conformance of PPLU&M components with all the 

requirements of the contract and/or specification. 

III. PROCEDURES . 

A. For PPLU&M components submitted to verify Certificates of Conformance, sampling, frequency, 

and testing procedures shall be in accordance with Subsection 207.4. 

B. The following procedures, in addition to those found in Subsection 207.4, shall apply: 

1. Select Samples . Select a random representative sample of each component item for which 

specifications are established in the contract. If the size of the sample to be selected is not specified 

elsewhere in the contract or in any referenced specifications, it shall be determined according to the 

following listing, NOTE, and footnotes: 

LOT SIZE (Component)

Lots up to 500 

501 to 35,000 

35,001 and over 

SAMPLE SIZE (Number of Sample Units)

3 

5 

8 

NOTE: The quantity of component samples to be submitted for testing shall be calculated by multiplying 

the sample size, stated above, by the sample unit, except when a maximum or minimum quantity is 

hereafter indicated. For example, in determining the quantity of the component “Fiberboard, Boxes” to 

be submitted from a lot of 8,500 fiberboard boxes, the sample size of five is multiplied by the sample unit 

of two to require a submission of ten samples. 

________________________ 

This Subsection supersedes Subsection 207.8, April 2010 

* Denotes Change 

*
PPLU&MM COMPONENTS

SAMPLE SIZE, MAX OR MIN, 

COMPONENT SAMPLE UNIT LOT SIZE EXPRESSED IN IF OTHER THAN AS

ABOVE

Bags or sacks 1 bag or sack bags or sacks 

(textile) 

Bags or sacks 2 bags or sacks bags or sacks 

(paper, multiwall) 

Bags, (paper, 1 bag bags 

other than multiwall) 

Cans, metal 1 4 “ x 4” side cans 

(larger than No. 10) panel with 1 end 

 and 1 lid 

Maximum 4 

Minimum 8 

Cans, metal 1 can with 1 lid 1/ 

(No. 10 and smaller) 

cans Minimum 8 

Caps, bottle 1 cap caps 

Cartons, Folding 1 carton cartons 

(packaging) 

Cellophane 1⁄2 square yard rolls 

Envelope Material 1 running yard rolls 

Fiberboard: 

Minimum 8 

Boxes 2 panels 2/ 

Liners 2 panels 2/ 

Pads 2 panels 2/ 

Pallet caps 2 panels 2/ 

Partitions, slotted 2 panels 2/ 

Separators/shells 2 panels 2/ 

Sheathing 2 panels 3/ 

Sleeves 2 panels 2/ 

Triple/double 2 panels 3/

wall tubes 

boxes 

liners 

pads 

caps 

partitions 

bundles 

sheathings 

sleeves 

tubes 

Ink, labeling (cans) 2 marked panels 4/ 

Ink, stencil or 2 marked panels 2/ 

marking (boxes) 

Liners, water proof 1 complete case liner liners 

Markings 2 panels 2/ 

cans or labels 

boxes, sleeves, unit loads 

markings 

Maximum 5 

Maximum 3 

Paper: 

Glazed, grease-proof, 1⁄2 square yard rolls 

kraft 

Moisture proof, vapor 1 square yard rolls 

proof 

Waxed 3 square yards rolls 

Shroud, polyethylene 1⁄2 square yard shrouds 

Strapping 1 ea 6-1/2 ft piece pounds or coils 

 of continuous 

 strapping without 

 joint
Strapping, joints 1 ea 48” length with Case, strapped 

center joint Load, strapped 

Maximum 3 

Tape 1 roll 5/ rolls 

1/ For cans with height or diameter dimensions of two inches or less, respectively, the sample unit shall 

be two cans with two lids. 

2/ Two panels (size 12” x 12”) or equivalent total area. The smaller dimension shall be not less than six 

inches and exclusive of crease lines or cut slots. 

3/ For lot size up to 50 units, the sample size shall be one. For lot sizes 51 - 150, the sample size shall be 

three. Acceptance number shall be zero. 

4/ If marked (lithographed or stamped) can panels or lids are available as part of the can sample, samples 

for can marking ink shall not be required. 

5/ Tape shall not be rewound. Remainder of roll after use will be acceptable, providing at least ten feet 

of tape are present for testing purposes. 

2. Forward Sample . The appropriate quantity of samples shall be packed by or under the 

supervision of the QAR/contractor-paid Government inspector to prevent damage in transit and shall be 

mailed or shipped via air mail or the most expeditious manner to the DLA TROOP SUPPORT, 700 Robbins 

Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098. For each 

component sampled, the QAR/contractor-paid Government inspector shall prepare and distribute DD 

Form 1222 in accordance with Subsection 207.1 and provide a copy of the DD Form 1222 to DLA TROOP 

SUPPORT-FTSA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092. 

C. Standby Samples . 

1. Selection . For each sample selected, the QAR/contractor-paid Government inspector shall in the 

same manner as above, concurrently select a standby sample(s) of the next larger available sample size (if 

fiberboard, the proper size sample of fiberboard component in original form and not cut to size). Samples 

shall be retained and safeguarded by the QAR/contractor-paid Government inspector until requested by 

DLA TROOP SUPPORT-FTSA to be submitted for testing or upon notification of conforming test results. 

2. Disposition. After 30 days following submittal of original samples, the QAR/contractor-paid 

Government inspector shall return standby samples to the contractor or dispose of the samples in 

accordance with applicable policy directives of the inspection activity unless special instructions are 

received from personnel of DLA TROOP SUPPORT-FTSA. 

BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDER 

KATHRYN YONTZ 

Chief, Support Services Div 

Directorate of Support 

*