Initial Scientific Review (ISR)

 Approx. 3-6 weeks

• 15 samples of each product being tested
• Prototype samples can be less

• Single product ISR: $2,990
• Comparative CSR (2 products): $5,490
• Prototype ISR: $2,990
• Additional Products: $2,500 each

(All costs excluding GST)

The ISR and its Accessibility Rating is also used in the health system food service by HealthShare NSW and HealthShare VIC to assess single served packaging’s accessibility via Arthritis Australia’s Packaging Accessibility Rating Database

If a supplier is required to submit Packaging Accessibility Ratings for multiple products in the same range, they may be eligible for testing at a reduced cost. Sufficiently Similar products must have preliminary testing conducted to see if they are significantly comparable to the main product being tested for the ISR.

Sufficiently Similar products should:

• be the same type of packaging format
• be the same size
• be made of the same materials
• have identical opening methods and forces
• require the same tasks to access and use the product

There can be some differences in labelling, but factors such as legibility and font size must be similar so as to not result in a different Accessibility Rating.

The reason for testing every product on the database is to ensure that all products are thoroughly tested and there are no anomalies with product results.

Conditions: Only the Accessible Design Division can deem if a product is Sufficiently Similar. All products must have preliminary testing conducted before being deemed as such. A quote will be provided after preliminary testing has been conducted. Sufficiently Similar tested products must have their testing conducted at the same time as the primary product’s ISR.

ISR Sufficiently Similar cost: If a range of products are deemed Sufficiently Similar then the first product would have an ISR conducted at the usual rate of $2,990 (excluding GST) and each Sufficiently Similar product would have the Accessibility Rating extended to them for the rate of $330 per product (excluding GST).

1.     Supply 15 samples of each product that you would like tested (including any packaging with different labelling) to our office by courier or personal delivery:

Level 2, 255 Broadway, Glebe NSW 2037
Please also provide a product spec sheet, which contains:

• Manufacturer’s name and manufacturer’s address
• Country of origin/production
• Unit value and unit weight
• Ingredients and nutritional information

2.     Preliminary testing will be conducted on any potential Sufficiently Similar products. A quote will be provided based on what products will require different ISR reports and which products will fall under Sufficiently Similar testing (Note: the Sufficiently Similar testing is used when companies need to add multiple products in a range to the Packaging Accessibility Rating Database).

3.     Once a quote is approved, a contract preparation form will need to be filled out and returned to Arthritis Australia. Please identify at this time if you would also like an ISR-Excerpt Rating provided on the product/s being tested.

4.     A contract will then be issued to you (contact the Accessible Design Division to see a draft contract). Two original signed contracts will then need to be sent to Arthritis Australia before results can be released. One original copy of the agreement will be returned for your records.

5.     Testing will begin once the contracts have been signed and will take between 3-6 weeks.

7.     An invoice will then be issued as quoted.

6.     Once testing is completed and the invoice has been paid, your ISR results will be released to you.

Packaging Accessibility Rating Database: Please identify if you wish to add your ISR results to the Packaging Accessibility Rating Database. If you wish to add this information to the database you will also need to supply the relevant ordering codes. This information will then be shared with foodservice purchasing organisations such as HealthShare NSW and Healthshare Victoria.