ISO 21067-1:2016

Packaging - Vocabulary - Part 1: General terms

ISO 21067-1:2016 specifies preferred terms and definitions related to packaging and materials handling, for use in international commerce, except for dangerous goods packaging where terms and definitions are given in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods [39]. ISO 21067-1:2016 is augmented by the following packaging-specific standards: - ISO 6590‑1; - ISO 6590‑2; - ISO 15867.

Emballages — Vocabulaire — Partie 1: Termes généraux

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Oct-2016
• ICS: 01.040.55 - Packaging and distribution of goods (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 122 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 122 - Packaging
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 23-May-2022
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 21067:2007 - Packaging - Vocabulary
• Effective Date: 12-Jul-2014

Overview

ISO 21067-1:2016 provides a harmonized vocabulary of preferred terms and definitions related to packaging and materials handling for use in international commerce. Published by ISO/TC 122 (Packaging) as the first edition in 2016, this part covers general packaging terms used across supply chains and industry sectors. It excludes dangerous goods packaging terms (covered by the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) and does not include environmental statements (covered by ISO 14021).

This standard was compiled from established national and international sources and is intended as a reference for translators, standard writers, procurement professionals, logisticians and packaging engineers who require consistent terminology.

Key Topics

The document organizes terminology into clear categories to aid practical use:

• Basic distinctions: packaging as a product (containment, protection, handling, delivery, storage, transport and presentation) versus packaging as an operation (processes such as packing, preservation, marking and unitization).
• General packaging types: primary, secondary, inner, distribution/tertiary, consumer/retail and industrial packaging.
• Forms and formats: bag, sack, bale, barrel, bottle, jar, ampoule, box, carton, crate, bundle, drum, pail, jerrican, tube, tray and related vessel types.
• Material and performance terms: absorbent material, barrier material, UV light barrier, cushioning materials, shrink film and stretch wrap.
• Components and constituents: packaging component (removable), packaging constituent (non-removable), component packaging and related assembly terms.
• Auxiliary elements: closure, body, preservation, staple, strapping, tape and pallet definitions.

The standard includes annexes with further material-related terms and indexes to support multilingual and cross-referenced use.

Applications

ISO 21067-1:2016 is valuable where consistent terminology improves operational efficiency and compliance:

• Standardizing procurement documents, specifications and tenders across borders
• Improving clarity in technical documentation, tests and inspection reports
• Aligning packaging design, materials selection and labelling between suppliers and manufacturers
• Supporting translation, glossaries and multilingual thesauri for international trade

Practically, the vocabulary helps reduce misunderstandings in packaging design, transport, warehousing and retail operations and supports interoperability across global supply chains.

Related Standards

ISO 21067-1 is part of the ISO 21067 series and is augmented by packaging-specific standards:

• ISO 21067-2 (Packaging and the environment terms)
• ISO 6590-1 and ISO 6590-2
• ISO 15867

Other referenced documents include UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and ISO 14021 for environmental statements. For users of packaging standards, cross-referencing these documents ensures correct use of terms in regulatory and commercial contexts.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21067-1
First edition
2016-10-15
Packaging — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
General terms
Emballages — Vocabulaire —
Partie 1: Termes généraux
Reference number
©
ISO 2016
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 1
2.1 Basic terms . 1
2.2 General terms . 2
2.3 Types of packaging . 4
2.4 Packaging materials . 6
2.5 Auxiliary terms in use with packaging . 7
Annex A (informative) Further terms used in relation to materials used in packaging .10
Annex B (informative) Numeric and alphabetical index .12
Bibliography .17
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment,
as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 122, Packaging.
This first edition of ISO 21067-1, together with ISO 21067-2, cancels and replaces ISO 21067:2007, which
has been technically revised and bifurcated into two sections.
ISO 21067 consists of the following parts, under the general title Packaging — Vocabulary:
— Part 1: General terms
— Part 2: Packaging and the environment terms
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of ISO 21067 was compiled from various sources, including the following:
— American National Standards Institute (ANSI);
— ASTM International (ASTM D 996);
— Australian Standards (AS 2400);
— British Standards Institution (BS 3130-1);
— Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN 55405);
— European Packaging Federation (EPF);
— South African Bureau of Standards (SABS);
— NATO STANAG 4279 (AAP-23);
— UN/ECE Recommendation No. 21.
This part of ISO 21067 is intended to be used as a source document within the global community. This
inventory of terms will be useful in a multilingual thesaurus showing concept relationships as well
as terms in other languages. Work on this proposed standard began in 1987 and has been under the
convenorship of ANSI since 1995 as ISO/TC 122.
This part of ISO 21067 does not cover environmental statements referring to packaging, which are
covered by ISO 14021.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21067-1:2016(E)
Packaging — Vocabulary —
Part 1:
General terms
1 Scope
This part of ISO 21067 specifies preferred terms and definitions related to packaging and materials
handling, for use in international commerce, except for dangerous goods packaging where terms and
definitions are given in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods [39].
This part of ISO 21067 is augmented by the following packaging-specific standards:
— ISO 6590-1;
— ISO 6590-2;
— ISO 15867.
2 Terms and definitions
2.1 Basic terms
2.1.1
packaging
product to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery, storage, transport
and presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from the producer to the user or
consumer, including processor, assembler or other intermediary
2.1.2
packaging
operations involved in the preparation of goods for containment, protection, handling,
delivery, storage, transport and presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from the
producer to the user or consumer
Note 1 to entry: The term includes preservation, packing, marking and unitization.
2.1.3
pack, noun
package, noun
product package
packaging (2.1.1) and its contents
2.1.4
pack, verb
package, verb
create a package (2.1.3)
2.1.5
article
item or commodity
2.2 General terms
2.2.1
container
box (2.3.8) or receptacle which holds, restrains, or encloses any article(s) (2.1.5) to be
stored or transported
2.2.2
shipping container
article (2.1.5) of transport equipment strong enough to be suitable for repeated use
and specially designed to facilitate the carriage of goods by one or more means of transport without
breakage of load
[37][38]
Note 1 to entry: Adapted from RID/ADR regulations.
Note 2 to entry: The phrase “without breakage of load” means that the container is handled as a single unit during
transit.
Note 3 to entry: The term “container” is often used as a non-specific term for a receptacle (see 2.2.1).
Note 4 to entry: For full definition of freight container, see ISO 830.
2.2.3
primary packaging
packaging (2.1.1) designed to come into direct contact with the product
2.2.4
secondary packaging
packaging (2.1.1) designed to contain one or more primary packagings (2.2.3) together with any
protective materials where required
2.2.5
inner packaging
packaging (2.1.1) for which an outer packaging is required for transport
[SOURCE: ISO 16883:2007, 3.4]
2.2.6
distribution packaging
transport packaging
tertiary packaging
packaging (2.1.1) designed to contain one or more articles (2.1.5) or packages (2.1.3), or bulk material,
for the purposes of transport, handling and/or distribution
2.2.7
consumer packaging
retail packaging
sales packaging
packaging (2.1.1) constituting, with its contents, a sales unit for the final user or consumer at the point
of retail
2.2.8
industrial packaging
packaging (2.1.1) for raw materials, components (2.2.22) and partially manufactured or finished goods,
for distribution from manufacturer to manufacturer and/or other intermediaries such as processor or
assembler
2 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

2.2.9
commercial packaging
methods and materials used by a supplier to satisfy the requirements of the distribution system
Note 1 to entry: Commercial packaging includes industrial packaging and consumer packaging and may be
applicable for certain levels of military packaging.
2.2.10
bulk packaging
packaging (2.1.1) intended to contain loose articles (2.1.5), large masses of solids or granular materials,
or liquids for transport or storage
2.2.11
child-resistant packaging
package (2.1.3) consisting of a container (2.2.1) and appropriate closure (2.5.1) which is difficult for
young children under the age of 52 months to open (or gain access to the contents), but which is not
difficult for adults to use properly
[SOURCE: ISO 8317:2015, 2.3]
2.2.12
reclosable package
package (2.1.3) which, after it has been initially opened, is capable of being reclosed with a similar
degree of security and is capable of being used a sufficient number of times to dispense the total
contents without loss of security
[SOURCE: ISO 8317:2015, 2.4]
2.2.13
base pack
unit pack
smallest package (2.1.3) with identical or different products that are to be supplied at the same time
2.2.14
commercial package
packaging (2.1.1) which, as far as quantity of content, type, quality or design of the package (2.1.3) are
concerned, conforms to the requirements of the respective level of trading
2.2.15
consolidated pack
more than one package (2.1.3) grouped together to facilitate handling operations
2.2.16
containerization
shipping method in which goods are loaded together in one container (2.2.1)
2.2.17
overpack
over packaging
enclosure generally used by a single consignor to contain one or more packages (2.1.3) consolidated
into a single unit to facilitate easy handling and stowage during transport
[39]
Note 1 to entry: Adapted from United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
Note 2 to entry: In English, the same term is also used to describe the use of excessive packaging.
2.2.18
packaging chain
sector of the overall economy involving all economic operators concerned with the packaging and/or
distribution of goods
2.2.19
flexible packaging
packaging whose shape is likely to change after the contents are added or removed
2.2.20
rigid packaging
packaging whose shape remains essentially unchanged after the contents are added or removed
2.2.21
packaging component
part of packaging that can be separated by hand or by using simple physical means
[SOURCE: ISO 18601:2013, 3.11]
Note 1 to entry: Compare component packaging (2.2.23).
2.2.22
component
part, assembly or raw material that is a constituent of a higher-level assembly
[SOURCE: ISO 22742:2010, 3.3]
2.2.23
component packaging
commercial unit of components (2.2.22) defined by the supplier, including, if applicable, their means for
protection, structured alignment, or automated assembly
Note 1 to entry: Component packaging can include: leaded components taped on reels or in ammo boxes
according to IEC 60286–1 and IEC 60286–2; surface mount devices (surface mount components), taped on reels
according to IEC 60286–3 and in bulk case IEC 60286–6; integrated circuits (ICs) in stick magazines according to
IEC 60286–4; or in matrix trays according to IEC 60286–5. Compare product package (2.1.3).
[SOURCE: ISO 22742:2010, 3.4]
2.2.24
packaging constituent
part from which packaging (2.1.1) or its components (2.2.22) are made and which cannot be separated
by hand or by using simple physical means
[SOURCE: ISO 18601:2013, 3.12]
2.3 Types of packaging
2.3.1
bag
flexible packaging (2.2.19) of single or multiple layers or plies, generally enclosed on all sides except one,
forming an opening that may or may not be sealed after filling
2.3.2
sack
bag (2.3.1)
Note 1 to entry: “Bag” is also defined in other International Standards as “sack”.
2.3.3
bale
shaped unit of compressed articles or materials bound with cord, strapping (2.5.5) or metal ties
under tension
Note 1 to entry: It may also be wrapped.
[36]
Note 2 to entry: Adapted from NATO glossary of packaging terms and definitions.
4 © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

2.3.4
barrel
cask
keg
packaging of circular cross-section, with greater length than breadth, with convex sides and two ends
of equal diameter
Note 1 to entry: A barrel is normally made of wooden staves bound together with hoops.
2.3.5
bottle
rigid packaging (2.2.21), typically of glass or plastic, having a comparatively narrow neck or mouth,
with a closure (2.5.1) and usually no handle
2.3.6
jar
rigid packaging (2.2.21) of glass, plastic or earthenware with a wide mouth
2.3.7
ampoule
small packaging usually made of glass or plastic capable of being hermetically sealed
2.3.8
box
rigid packaging (2.2.21) with rectangular or polygonal sides, usually completely enclosing the contents
Note 1 to entry: The sides may contain apertures for handling or ventilation.
2.3.9
carton
folding collapsible packaging generally made from boxboard
Note 1 to entry: Although this term is in general use in English, it might not have an equivalent term in other
languages.
2.3.10
case
non-specific term for transport packaging (2.2.6), often used to refer to a box
2.3.11
crate
transport packaging (2.2.1) with incomplete surfaces
2.3.12
wirebound box
box whose parts are reinforced and connected to each other by means of tempered wires
Note 1 to entry: This type of box is usually closed for shipment by twisting of the wire ends or by connecting
prefabricated loops.
2.3.13
bundle
number of articles bound with materials under tension, which also may be wrapped
2.3.14
can
small primary packaging (2.2.3), usually cylindrical and usually made of metal
2.3.15
drum
cylindrical packaging whose bottom end is permanently fixed to the body (2.5.2) and top end (head) is
either removable or non-removable
Note 1 to entry: Barrels are not classified as drums.
2.3.16
non-removable head drum
tight head drum
cylindrical packaging whose ends are permanently fixed to the body (2.5.2), with one or more openings
for filling, emptying and venting in the top end (head) and which may also include body openings for
the same purposes
[SOURCE: ISO 20848-2:2006, 3.1, modified]
2.3.17
removable head drum
open head drum
drum (2.3.15) whose bottom end is permanently fixed to the body (2.5.2) and whose top end can be
removed as a lid (head)
Note 1 to entry: The top and body may have additional openings.
[SOURCE: ISO 20848-1:2006, 3.1, modified]
2.3.18
pail
nesting drum
packaging of circular cross-section, tapered or cylindrical, and may be equipped with a lid and usually
a handle
2.3.19
jerrican
metal or plastics primary packaging of rectangular or polygonal cross-section for products
Note 1 to entry: An aperture on the top or side of the body and a carrying device is usual.
2.3.20
tube
cylindrical packaging whose ends may be a different material to the body (2.5.2)
2.3.21
collaps
...