This is our simple Overview of the different types of certifications you can find for hard cases. (Protective Cases)

Note: These are the main types you’ll find, and not all cases that claim to be waterproof or dent proof are certified. So do be on the lookout.

The Main types of Certification for specialty hard cases are:

IP67 (Ingress Protection Level)
IPx7 (Ingress Protection Level)
IP6x (Ingress Protection Level)
ATA Specification 300
ASTM D-4169 DC-18
MIL-STD-810F

IP67, IPx7, IP6x (Ingress Protection Levels) What Are They?

The Ingress Protection Level Certification, is probably the most common Protection level you’ll find when looking around at hard case options.

The Ingress Protection Ratings are given after being tested in lab conditions with the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

You’ll actually commonly find, that many of these cases that do claim to be waterproof, actually aren’t waterproof. In fact, the most common rating for cases is IP67…..which means it’s water resistant.

The IP67 Rating means the case can be dropped into water up to a meter deep for half an hour, and when you take the case out the inside will be dry.

Of course, to me (and I assume most consumers) this is pretty much waterproof. In technical terms however, it is not.

Note: These are tested only with fresh water. The Ingress Protection rating does not include other types of liquids. Also IP67 which is the most common rating for cases means the case is also dust resistant.

If you’d like more information, visit the International Electrotechnical Commission’s website here.

What is the ATA Specification 300?

This specific certification doesn’t come up as often as the IP67, but still comes up fairly often.

The ATA stands for the Air Transport Association, which is as of this writing….no longer issuing this certification.

These tests were rigorous and included absolutely everything you could possibly imagine. Seriously, these tests were very extensive.

Not many case companies claim to have this specification, but if they do it was issued to them quite some time ago.

You can find more information on this certification at this website.

ASTM D-4169 DC-18

Try saying that one five times fast.

Basically this one measures how resistant the case is on drop testing, and temperature testing. It’s also tested to see how well the items inside do after being thrown around repeatedly.

This is definitely one of the more hardcore test you’ll see a case go through. Not a lot of cases can go through this test and make it out. They do all sorts of crazy stuff to the case like keeping it in -28 degrees C for 3 hours and loading the case up with heavy weights and dropping it on each edge.

Most cases either do not make it through this testing, or haven’t tried. It’s not a test that many companies claim to have taken their case through.

You can find more information on this testing here.

MIL-STD-810F

This is simply another immersion test (military grade testing), where the only difference is that the case is actually heated up. Before being put in the water.

You can find more info on this testing here.