When are envelope damage criteria applied?

The application of envelope damage criteria primarily pertains to the evaluation of damages that occur on the external surfaces of containers, which includes out-of-ISO and into-cube damages. These criteria are crucial for assessing how the physical integrity and functionality of the container have been impacted.

Out-of-ISO damage refers to any structural issues that extend beyond the acceptable ISO standards, which are critical for ensuring that containers can function correctly during loading, transport, and unloading. Into-cube damage typically refers to discrepancies in the container's ability to secure cargo properly, which could affect not only the container's usability but also the safety of the cargo.

While internal component mechanisms, cosmetic surface scratches, and structural integrity tests all relate to container evaluation, they do not directly correlate with the envelope damage criteria, which focus specifically on external surface conditions. Therefore, recognizing that envelope damage criteria apply to external damages helps inspectors determine the overall condition and safety of the containers being assessed.