Published: 30/03/2026
(Akron, Ohio) – 3/30/2026 - Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, announces that
James Raw, Director of Packaging Testing Operations, will be speaking at the upcoming ISTA Forum in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 7 to April 9. Smithers is a premier sponsor of the event.
Raw’s presentation, titled “The Convergence of Sustainability Targets and Revolutions: How Packaging Must Evolve,” is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, at 11:00 a.m. MST. He will explore key regulations, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations, and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content initiatives. He will also review how these changes are affecting both testing requirements for a wide variety of applications and the global supply chain.
“Governments and governing bodies all over the world are implementing new guidance and regulations around packaging sustainability,” said
Sam Sheppard Fidler, Vice President and General Manager for Europe, Materials Science and Engineering, Smithers. “James can offer unique insight into these changes from the perspectives of retailers, brand owners, packaging companies, and consumers..”
Raw has over 30 years of experience in packaging testing and evaluation. He has managed projects in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, giving him extensive knowledge of test methods, shipment hazards, and real-life conditions on an international scale. His experience includes damage reduction, pack design, cost avoidance, and packaging for dangerous goods. He has a degree in materials and mathematics and is an ISTA Certified Packaging Laboratory Professional (CPLP) Technologist.
As a Premier Sponsor of the 2026 ISTA Forum and the ISTA Educational Foundation, Smithers will be present in the exhibition hall and at networking events. Several key leaders will be present to discuss packaging trends, challenges, and specific testing requirements.
Those interested in attending ISTA Forum 2026 can
register here.
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About Smithers
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, dry commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.
