USP 671 Performance Testing for Packages and Containers
ISO 17025-accredited USP <671> helping you validate packaging performance, support regulatory submissions, and avoid costly rework.
USP 671 Container Performance Testing for Packaging That Needs to Perform as Expected
At Bird Dog Laboratories, we carefully test packaging systems used for solid oral dosage forms (SODFs) and liquid oral dosage forms (LODFs), packaging relied on by leading pharmaceutical & commercial companies.
Our USP 671 container performance tests provide data-backed assurance for the packing materials you’re shipping worldwide. We measure moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and, when needed, spectral transmission, so you can see how your packaging performs under controlled conditions that reflect real-world use.
How USP 671 Testing Supports Real Packaging Decisions
USP <671> is a type of
functional testing that shows up when a packaging decision needs to be confirmed before you move into stability studies, finalize a regulatory submission, release product to production, or distribute it in a new container.
For Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
You’re locking in a container for a moisture-sensitive drug and need data before starting stability studies, supporting a submission, or moving into production.
Institutional & Commercial Repackagers
You’re transitioning a product into a new container and need to confirm it will maintain integrity before it’s dispensed or distributed.
Packaging Engineers & Material Suppliers
You’re comparing materials or validating a container system and need data before signing off on a design or backing a performance claim.
What USP <671> Testing Actually Tells You
USP <671> isn’t optional in many cases. It helps prevent the wrong packaging choice by showing how well the container
protects the product from moisture over time.
At its core, it measures the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), which indicates how much moisture can pass through a container under controlled conditions.
From that, you can answer three things:
- Whether the packaging provides enough barrier protection for the product
- Whether it will maintain stability over its intended shelf life
- Whether it’s the right container to move into stability studies or to finalize your submission
Instead of relying on assumptions or past use, you have clear data to make the call and back it up when it’s questioned.
Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) and Packaging Performance
MVTR answers a simple question: how much moisture is getting through the container, and is that acceptable for this product?
Even small amounts of moisture can affect stability over time. That’s why MVTR matters most with moisture-sensitive products, especially solid and liquid oral dosage forms.
If that comprehensive testing isn’t conducted, it usually shows up later as a packaging issue you have to go back and fix, which can slow timelines and force rework.
ISO 17025-Accredited in All USP 671 Methods (1–8)
USP <671> includes multiple test methods, each designed for specific packaging types and use cases.
At Bird Dog Laboratories, method selection is part of the process. Testing is aligned to your packaging and your application, so the results are accurate and usable when it’s time to sign off on the packaging and release the product.
Method 1: Bottles for Solid Oral Dosage Forms (SODFs)
Used for plastic bottles and closures holding multiple-unit solid oral dosage forms, with or without induction seals. Moisture enters the container and is absorbed by a desiccant, allowing MVTR to be measured over time. This tells you how well the full package system protects the product under typical storage conditions.
Method 2: High-Barrier Blister Packaging
Used for blister packs made with high or ultra-high barrier materials, such as foil-based systems. A desiccant is sealed inside each cavity to measure how much moisture gets in over time. This helps confirm whether high-barrier blister packaging is performing as expected.
Method 3: Low-Barrier Blister Packaging
Used for blister packs made from lower barrier materials where moisture enters more quickly. Because permeation happens faster, testing is done over a much shorter period to avoid skewed results. This method helps identify packaging that may not provide enough protection.
Method 4: Blister Packaging Using Water Loss (Egress Testing)
Instead of measuring moisture entering the package, this method measures moisture leaving water-filled blister cavities. It works across low, high, and ultra-high barrier materials and avoids issues like desiccant saturation. This provides a more stable way to measure long-term moisture movement.
Method 5: Classification of Bottles Without a Seal
Used to classify plastic bottles without an induction seal, or bottles that will be opened during use. Results determine whether the container meets “tight” or “well-closed” standards based on moisture protection. This helps define how the packaging performs in real-use conditions.
Method 6: Classification of Bottles With an Impervious Seal
Used for bottles with an induction seal or similar barrier system. This method focuses on evaluating the container’s ability to limit moisture when sealed and can isolate the bottle's performance. It applies stricter standards than Method 5 for moisture protection.
Method 7: Classification of Blister Packaging
Used for blister packs to assign a moisture protection classification (A–D). Desiccant-filled cavities are monitored to determine how well the packaging resists moisture over time. This helps compare blister systems and determine suitability for specific products.
Method 8: Liquid Containers (LODFs)
Used for liquid oral dosage form containers, measuring moisture loss from water-filled packages instead of moisture gain. Results are based on weight loss over time and determine whether the container meets “tight” specifications. This is key for validating packaging used with liquid products.
It’s Not Just Moisture. Light Can Be a Factor Too
Moisture isn’t the only variable that affects product stability. Light exposure, especially UV and visible wavelengths, can degrade certain formulations over time. In some cases, packaging that performs well against moisture still doesn’t provide enough protection from light.
USP <671> includes spectral transmission testing to measure the amount of light that passes through a container. This helps determine whether the packaging provides the level of protection the product requires.
Why Teams Partner With Bird Dog Laboratories
Precision testing, designed for compliance
There are plenty of labs that can run tests. That’s not the difference.
What matters is how the testing is handled and whether the results actually help you make a decision.
At Bird Dog Laboratories:
- You’re not left deciding which method to run or whether the setup is correct
- Testing is aligned to your packaging and how it will actually be used
- You get results you can use in stability work, submissions, and internal sign-off
With more than 20 years of USP <671> testing experience and a 55+ year foundation in packaging testing through Bird Dog Marketing Group, the focus is on getting it right the first time so you don’t have to revisit it later.
What Working With Bird Dog Looks Like
Discover the Benefits of Partnering with Bird Dog
The process is straightforward because it needs to be.
- You share your packaging, and what needs to be confirmed
- The appropriate USP <671> method is selected
- Testing is run under controlled conditions
- You receive clear, usable data
- You move into stability studies, submission, or production without having to second-guess the packaging
Get a Clear Answer Before You Move Into Your Next Step
At the end of the day, you need to know whether your packaging will perform as your product requires under real-world conditions. USP 671 container performance testing gives you that answer in a way that supports stability work, regulatory requirements, and real-world use.
With Bird Dog Laboratories, you’re not just completing a regulatory process. You’re getting results that pharmaceutical leaders worldwide depend on.
Contact Us
Let’s Get Started.
Ensuring product quality through functional testing of packaging systems.
