EN 13972:2002

Rigid plastics containers - Definition of nominal, brimful and total capacity and measurement of brimful and total capacity

This European standard specifies a gravimetric method for determining the brimful and total capacities of plastic bottles and jars up to 5 litres, of plastic canisters/jerricans with a nominal volume up to 20 litres and of plastic pails with a nominal volume up to 60 litres.

Formstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Definition des Nenn-, des Randvoll- und des Gesamtvolumens sowie Messung des Randvollvolumens und des Gesamtvolumens

Conteneurs en plastique rigide - Définition des capacités nominale, à ras bords et totale, et mesurage des capacités à ras bords et totale

La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode gravimétrique permettant de déterminer les capacités à ras bord et totale des bouteilles et bocaux en plastique d'une contenance inférieure ou égale à 5 l, des bidons/jerricans en plastique d'un volume nominal inférieur ou égal à 20 l et des cuves en plastique d'un volume nominal inférieur ou égal à 60 l.
NOTE   Dans la présente norme, les bouteilles, bocaux, bidons, jerricans et cuves en plastique sont désignés par le terme " conteneurs ".

Toge plastične posode - Definicija nazivne, polnilne in celotne prostornine ter merjenje polnilne in celotne prostornine

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Oct-2002
• ICS: 55.100 - Bottles. Pots. Jars
• ICS: 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 261 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 261/SC 5/WG 25 - Rigid plastic packages (e.g. mono and multi-layers)
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 11-Sep-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Directive: 80/232/EEC - Ranges of nominal quantities and nominal capacities permitted for certain pre-packaged products
• Directive: 87/356/EEC - Ranges of nominal quantities and nominal capacities permitted for certain pre-packged products (Dir. 80/232/EEC amendment)
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13972:2003 - Rigid plastics containers - Definition of nominal, brimful and total capacity and measurement of brimful and total capacity

Overview

EN 13972:2002 is a European Standard developed by CEN that defines methods for determining the nominal, brimful, and total capacity of rigid plastic containers. This standard covers containers such as bottles, jars, canisters (jerricans), and pails with volumes ranging from up to 5 litres for bottles and jars, up to 20 litres for canisters, and up to 60 litres for pails. It specifies a gravimetric method-measuring the mass of water-to accurately determine container capacities, ensuring consistency and reliability in packaging design and testing.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  Applies to rigid plastic containers, including bottles, jars, canisters, and pails used for packaging liquids and other products. It offers capacity definitions for containers up to specified volume limits.

• Capacity Definitions

  • Nominal Capacity: The designed or rated volume of the container.
  • Brimful Capacity: The volume of water when the container is filled to the point of overflowing through its filling orifice.
  • Total Capacity: The total internal volume of the closed container, measured including closures or lids.

• Measurement Method
  Uses a gravimetric approach by weighing empty and filled containers with water at a controlled temperature (usually 23°C ± 1°C). Balances with at least 0.1% accuracy and calibrated thermometers ensure precision.

• Sampling and Testing Procedure
  Sampling requires representative containers tested usually 48 hours post-production. Procedures include filling methods, handling overflow, air removal from containers, and device preparation like drilling holes in some containers to measure total capacity.

• Capacity Calculation
  Capacity is calculated by converting the mass of water to volume via temperature-corrected Volume Correction Factors (VCF). The standard specifies methods for reporting results to three significant figures.

• Test Reporting
  Requires detailed documentation including container description, test conditions, sample size, capacity results, temperature of test water, and compliance status, ensuring transparency and traceability.

Applications

EN 13972:2002 serves as a critical reference for manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and regulatory bodies involved in:

• Packaging Design and Quality Control
  Assists manufacturers in verifying that container volumes meet nominal specifications and customer requirements, preventing packaging inconsistencies and product loss.

• Compliance Testing
  Supports regulatory compliance across Europe by providing standardized measurement techniques for container capacities, facilitating trade and market acceptance.

• Production Consistency Monitoring
  Enables routine checks on container manufacturing batches to assure uniform volume tolerances and minimize discrepancies.

• Material and Container Development
  Provides a benchmark for testing new materials and container shapes for volumetric capacity before commercial release.

Related Standards

• EN 13974:2002 – Rigid plastics containers: Specification of tolerances for dimensions, weight, and volume. Complements EN 13972 by defining acceptable manufacturing variability.

• EN ISO 90-2:1999 – Light gauge metal containers: Defines container capacities and dimensions applicable for metal packaging, which shares similar volumetric measurement principles.

• ISO 8539 Series – Specifications relating to plastic packaging containers, relevant for broader packaging performance and design requirements.

Summary

EN 13972:2002 establishes a precise and reproducible gravimetric method for measuring container capacities, enabling accurate definition of nominal, brimful, and total volumes of rigid plastic packaging. By standardizing capacity measurement, it enhances product protection, regulatory compliance, and packaging quality assurance in countless industries. This standard is an essential tool to ensure that rigid plastic containers meet design intentions while supporting reliable manufacturing and distribution.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Formstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Definition des Nenn-, des Randvoll- und des Gesamtvolumens sowie Messung des Randvollvolumens und des GesamtvolumensConteneurs en plastique rigide - Définition des capacités nominale, a ras bords et totale, et mesurage des capacités a ras bords et totaleRigid plastics containers - Definition of nominal, brimful and total capacity and measurement of brimful and total capacity55.140Barrels. Drums. Canisters55.100Steklenice. Lonci. KozarciBottles. Pots. JarsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13972:2002SIST EN 13972:2003en,fr,de01-julij-2003SIST EN 13972:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13972October 2002ICS 55.100; 55.140English versionRigid plastics containers - Definition of nominal, brimful and totalcapacity and measurement of brimful and total capacityConteneurs en plastique rigide - Définition des capacitésnominale, à ras bords et totale, et mesurage des capacitésà ras bords et totaleFormstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Definition des Nenn-, desRandvoll- und des Gesamtvolumens sowie Messung desRandvollvolumens und des GesamtvolumensThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 August 2002.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2002 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13972:2002 ESIST EN 13972:2003
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