Luggage

Luggage, Backpack
& Bag
TESTING AND INSPECTION

When consumers are travelling, they expect far more from their bags than adequate storage. Suitcases and backpacks are not simply vessels for carrying possessions and souvenirs – they’re also fashionable accessories and dependable companions throughout a journey.

Function and quality are therefore absolutely paramount. Luggage of all kinds must be durable and comply with legal safety standards, thus avoiding customer complaints and maintaining an effective, trustworthy brand image. This applies to holdalls, suite cases, cabin bags, wheeled cases and more.

OUR APPROACH TO LUGGAGE TESTING

Bureau Veritas solution to bag testing draws upon many years of experience, a worldwide network of knowledgeable professionals and a reputation for superior competence throughout the supply chain. 

Our wide range of services includes product testing, inspections and consulting, using our certified global laboratory facilities to make sample processing times as short as possible. Our quality assurance for luggage products includes usability, as well as ensuring that goods are manufactured in line with legal regulations and market requirements. 

OUR CREDENTIALS

Our laboratories operate at the highest level, using the very latest technology and complying with international quality assurance standards such as ISO/IEC Guide 25 and ISO 17025. 

We’re recognised by organisations such as the Chinese Laboratory Accreditation (CNLA), the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS), the French Committee for Accreditation (COFRAC) and the Government Accreditation Center Hanover (Staatliche Akkreditierungsstelle Hannover - AKS). 

OUR GLOBAL NETWORK

With over 77,000 employees in 140 countries, we look after the interests of over 400,000 customers around the world. Our extensive global presence allows us to tailor our service to our clients, including planning capability, time efficiency and affordability.

OUR FUNCTIONAL TESTS

Our testing programs vary according to the design and intended use of each product. They include:

  • Static load and luggage handle durability 
  • Rolling tests and overall durability
  • Dynamic load
  • Color-fastness for exterior textile materials
  • Drop test
  • Stability
  • Zipper test
  • Corrosion test

Bureau Veritas is recognized worldwide as a leader in the field of conformity solutions. Our specialists are highly regarded by prominent manufacturing and retail brands for their commitment and specialist knowledge; and we’re an active member of many of the most important standards committees around the world.

Analysis and Quality

The luggage testing specialists at Bureau Veritas hail from a wide variety of analysis and quality assurance fields, with extensive experience of testing consumer durables of all types.

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

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Luggage brands face constant pressure to deliver products that withstand the rigors of travel while meeting safety regulations and retailer requirements. Wheel failures, handle breaks, and zipper malfunctions drive warranty claims and damage brand reputation. Regulatory agencies require compliance with ASTM F2027 and flammability standards. Retailers demand proof of chemical compliance — PFAS-free coatings, phthalate-free handles, restricted substance screening. Consumers expect durability that matches marketing claims.

Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services provides comprehensive luggage testing services that help verify product performance, assess compliance, and reduce risk. From suitcase durability testing to travel goods chemical testing, our global lab network delivers the data you need to protect your brand and move products to market with confidence.

DURABILITY & PERFORMANCE TESTING

Suitcase Durability Testing — Validate Performance Claims

Product failures in the field are costly — returns, warranty claims, negative reviews, and lost customer trust. Our suitcase durability testing services simulate real-world travel conditions to identify weaknesses before production:

Drop Testing

Evaluates impact resistance by dropping luggage from various heights (loaded and unloaded) onto hard surfaces. Tests corner protection, shell integrity, and structural reinforcement. Critical for warranty claim prevention.

Wheel Durability Testing

Measures wheel performance through cycle testing under load. Assesses rolling resistance, bearing integrity, and attachment strength. Simulates thousands of miles of airport and street use.

Handle Fatigue Testing

Tests telescoping handle mechanisms through repeated extension and retraction cycles under load. Evaluates grip strength, locking mechanisms, and material wear. Prevents field failures from handle collapse.

Zipper Cycle Testing

Subjects zippers to thousands of open/close cycles under tension. Identifies weak points in slider mechanisms, teeth alignment, and fabric stress points. Supports durability claims and reduces customer complaints.

Impact Resistance

Assesses shell and frame ability to withstand crushing forces and puncture. Tests corner guards, reinforcement ribs, and material resilience. Validates "crush-proof" and "impact-resistant" marketing claims.

Water Resistance Testing

Evaluates seam integrity, zipper water-tightness, and fabric permeability. Critical for travel goods marketed as weather-resistant or water-repellent.

SAFETY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Luggage Safety Standards Testing — ASTM, ISO & Regulatory Compliance

Luggage sold in the US, EU, and global markets must meet safety and performance standards. Our luggage safety standards testing services help verify compliance and support market access:

ASTM F2027 Testing (USA)

Performance standard for wheeled luggage covering drop resistance, wheel durability, handle strength, and overall construction quality. Required by major US retailers.

ISO Standards for Travel Goods

International standards for luggage performance, materials, and safety. Supports global market access and harmonized testing protocols.

Flammability Testing

Tests textiles, linings, and foam components for flame spread and ignition resistance. Required for airline cabin baggage and children's luggage in many markets.

Sharp Edges & Small Parts Assessment

Child safety evaluation for luggage marketed to or used by children. Identifies hazards from exposed hardware, detachable components, and sharp edges.

CHEMICAL COMPLIANCE

Travel Goods Chemical Testing — PFAS, Restricted Substances & RSL Compliance

Chemical compliance is mandatory for market access and retailer approval. Luggage components — fabric coatings, handles, wheels, zippers — must be screened for restricted substances. Our travel goods chemical testing services include:

PFAS Testing

Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water-repellent coatings, fabric treatments, and textile finishes. Critical for compliance with EU restrictions and US state bans (California, New York, Maine).

Restricted Substances Screening

Comprehensive testing for phthalates in plastic handles and wheels, lead and cadmium in metal hardware, formaldehyde in textiles, and azo dyes. Supports retailer RSL compliance (Walmart, Target, Amazon).

REACH & Prop 65 Compliance

Testing for substances of very high concern (SVHC) under EU REACH regulation and California Proposition 65. Prevents market access delays and costly recalls.

Learn more about PFAS testing

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Luggage Quality Testing — Workmanship, Inspection & Supplier Audits

Consistent quality prevents defects, reduces returns, and protects brand reputation. Our luggage quality testing services help verify production standards and supplier performance:

Workmanship Inspection

Detailed assessment of stitching quality, seam strength, fabric alignment, hardware attachment, and overall assembly. Identifies defects before shipment.

Material Verification

Confirms fabric weight, hardware specifications, zipper quality, and component materials match approved samples and purchase orders. Prevents unauthorized substitutions.

Functional Testing

Evaluates locks, latches, telescoping handles, expansion systems, interior compartments, and all moving parts. Confirms products function as designed before leaving the factory.

Pre-Shipment Inspection Programs

On-site factory inspections before container loading. Random sampling, defect identification, and go/no-go decisions to prevent costly shipments of substandard goods.

Learn more about quality assurance programs

Why Bureau Veritas for Luggage Testing Services?

35+

Years in Consumer Products Testing

15

Global Hardlines Labs

100K+

Test Reports Issued Annually

12K+

Technical Specialists Worldwide

Bureau Veritas is an AAFA member and Cascale partner with deep expertise in hardlines testing. Our global network of accredited laboratories provides fast turnaround times, consistent quality, and localized regulatory knowledge across North America, Europe, and Asia.

From suitcase durability testing to travel goods chemical testing, we help luggage brands assess risk, verify compliance, and deliver products that perform as promised.

Ready to discuss your luggage testing needs?

Contact our team to request a quote, schedule testing, or talk to a hardlines specialist about your quality and compliance challenges.

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