CEN/TC 261 - Packaging

This document defines terms commonly used in paper sacks manufacture. It refers to single- and multi-ply sacks made of paper or combination of paper and other materials where the paper is the main part.
It does not refer to bags for retail trade.

This document specifies the test methods available for evaluating new flat pallets for materials handling.
The test methods are split into groups for
—     nominal load testing,
—     maximum working load testing, and
—     durability comparison testing.
This document does not apply to pallets with a fixed superstructure or a rigid, self-supporting container that can be mechanically attached to the pallet and which contributes to the strength of the pallet.
NOTE   Specific tests for determining load capacity do not replace the value of conducting field tests on specific pallet designs.

This document specifies the performance requirements to establish nominal loads for new flat pallets.
It also specifies the tests required for new flat pallets in various handling environments and the performance requirements for tests with payloads. This document does not apply to pallets with a fixed superstructure or a rigid, self-supporting container that can be mechanically attached to the pallet and which contributes to the strength of the pallet.

This document specifies materials, construction and design requirements, type test and marking requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) intended to contain non-dangerous solid materials in powder, granular or paste form, and designed to be lifted from above by integral or detachable devices.
This document also provides guidance on the selection and safe usage of FIBCs.

This document specifies a method of vertical impact testing on a filled paper sack by dropping. It is performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of vertical impact or as part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a sack to withstand a distribution system that includes a vertical impact hazard.
This document specifies the testing procedure and how the results of tests are presented. It is based on ISO 2248 but is specifically related to paper sacks.

This document gives dimensions and specifications of the glass finishes for bottles intended for sparkling wine produced by the "traditional method", with a diameter of 26 mm, 29 mm or 36 mm.
NOTE 1   The finish is to receive a crown cap and a cork stopper.
NOTE 2   The dimensions of the 26 mm and 29 mm finish come from the French standard NF H 35-029.

This document specifies the dimensions of the various 28 mm screw finishes for glass containers designated MCA.

This document specifies performance requirements and methods of test for non-reclosable packaging that have been designated child-resistant. This document is intended for type approval only (see 3.5) and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.

This document specifies performance requirements and methods of test for non-reclosable packaging that has been designated child-resistant and which is intended to contain non-pharmaceutical products. This document is intended for type approval only (see 2.5) and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.
This document applies to non-reclosable packages of the single-use type consisting of one or more individual units.
Non-reclosable packages for pharmaceutical products are excluded from the scope of this document. These are the subject of a separate standard, ISO 14375, Child-resistant non-reclosable packaging for pharmaceutical products — Requirements and testing.

This document specifies the requirements and test methods to demonstrate that plastic caps and lids of single-use beverage containers with a capacity of up to three litres remain attached to the container during the product’s intended use stage. This document also addresses the need to ensure the necessary strength, reliability and safety of beverage container closures, including those for carbonated drinks.
This document applies to the strength, reliability and safety impacted by the attachment features and does not apply to the overall closure system.

This document specifies a laboratory scale test method for determining the degree of disintegration of test items when exposed to well-managed home composting conditions by the weight evaluation method (WE method) using sieving and evaluation by weighing.
The test method is not applicable for the determination of the biodegradability of test items under home composting conditions. Additional testing is necessary for making claims concerning the suitability for home composting. This document is not appropriate for claims relating to the suitability for home composting.
This test method is carried out at laboratory scale under controlled conditions. Therefore, it does not reproduce any real home composting conditions, but it is devised to gain information on the potential of the test item to disintegrate sufficiently. A test item that passes this test is assumed to be capable of undergoing full disintegration in a 12 months home composting cycle carried out under well managed conditions. For features of well-managed home composting see EN 17427:2022, Annex E.

This document specifies a testing scheme and requirements for the designation of carrier bags of any materials that are considered to be suitable for incorporation into well-managed home composting installations for non-commercial purposes with a home composting cycle of normally at least 12 months. Carrier bags are considered as home compostable in a well-managed system only if all the individual components meet the requirements.
The following four aspects are addressed:
a )characterization;
b) biodegradation in well managed home composting;
c) disintegration in well managed home composting; and
d) home compost quality.
The four aspects, a) to d), are assessing the effects on the biological treatment process and the compost made by it.
This document forms the basis for the labelling of carrier bags that are considered to be suitable for the incorporation into well-managed home composting installations.
NOTE 1 Compliance with the requirements of this document by the carrier bags entering the compost does not necessarily imply that a high-quality compost will be produced.
This document covers the suitability of carrier bags for the incorporation into well managed home composting installations but does not address regulations that may exist regarding the suitability of anything disposed together with the carrier bag to home composting.
This document provides a set of guidance on the parameters, boundaries and processes required to engage in well managed, aerobic, home composting. Alternative composting methods and systems may not provide the conditions necessary for the successful home composting of carrier bags which comply with the requirements of this document.
NOTE 2 Additional general information about home composting is provided in Annex F.
The testing scheme and the requirements specified by this document do not apply to worm composting, industrial composting nor community composting. It also does not provide information on the biodegradability of carrier bags ending up in the environment as litter.
This document includes a reference to features of well-managed home composting (Annex E).
The compost produced via home composting by a private individual is for private use only and not for provision to others, free of charge or in return for payment. Therefore, this document has no value as a marketing authorization or authorization of use of the final compost.
NOTE 3 The testing scheme and evaluation criteria could be the basis for the establishment of suitability to home composting of other products.
NOTE 4 The purpose of testing activity b) is to demonstrate the potential for ultimate biodegradation of the test material when exposed to microbes active under mesophilic conditions (between 15 °C and 45 °C).
NOTE 5 The purpose of testing activity c) is to verify the thickness and/or grammage that allows a full disintegration of the test product in a period consistent with a home composting cycle, under defined environmental conditions. To allow for the potential for variations of local climatic conditions and consumer application of well-managed home composting techniques, lower than optimal temperature profile has been adopted for this test.

This document specifies the information needed for the design type testing of packaging, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packaging intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods.
NOTE 1   This document can be used in conjunction with one or more of the international regulations set out in the Bibliography.
NOTE 2   The term “packaging” includes packaging for Class 6.2 infectious substances according to the United Nations.

This document defines the technical vocabulary in German, French and English, widely in use for flexible tubes.
It is applicable to metal, plastic, multilayer or laminated tubes that are used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic or industrial products.

This document specifies a test method for airtightness of the closures for flexible tubes.
It is applicable to flexible tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic and industrial products
It is not applicable to flexible tubes with external applicators added on to the tube by the consumer and pumps.

This document specifies the design and dimensions of the 29 mm screw finish with three (3) thread starts for flat waters and non-carbonated beverages.
This document applies to finishes designated as PET finishes 29/25 (12,6). The dimension (12,6) is the height in millimetres from the top of finish to the bottom of the support ledge.
This finish can be used for aseptic filling and filling which utilizes nitrogen pressure where the internal overpressure does not exceed 1 bar maximum.
This finish is designed to accept only a tamper evident plastic closure, including those with an attachment feature.

This document specifies methods for the determination of the thickness of the lacquer film applied inside cylindrical and conical aluminium tubes. The methods are a reference. They can also be used as a reference when calibrating other electronic instruments suitable for determining coating weight thickness. It is applicable to aluminium tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic products.
NOTE   Although not specified in this document there are available suitable automatic film thickness measurement instruments that provide instantaneous results with good accuracy (<1μm).

This document specifies a method to test the orientation of the flip-top cap on flexible cylindrical tubes [1].
It is applicable to aluminium, plastic and laminated tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic and industrial products.

This document specifies the characteristics, dimensions and finish of the inserted flange-type closure systems used for steel drums.

This document specifies the diameter, length, wall thickness and shoulder geometry of flexible cylindrical plastic tubes.
It is applicable to tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic and industrial products.

This document specifies a method to measure the deformation of the aluminium tube body.
It is applicable to cylindrical aluminium tubes used for packing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other domestic and industrial products.

This document specifies dimensions of neck finishes for aerosol and spray glass containers, in order to guarantee tight sealing of valves or pumps with ferrules defined by EN 14849.
It applies to glass containers with a nominal diameter of the neck finish around 11 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm and 20 mm for both moulded and tubular glass neck finishes.
NOTE   These neck finishes are commonly called FEA 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 and 20.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the adhesion of the internal and external protective lacquer of aluminium tubes.
It is applicable to aluminium tubes that are coated with an internal or external protective lacquer and which are used for packing, e.g. pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food and other household products.

This document specifies requirements and provides guidance for the application, use and check of tamper verification features to the packaging of medicinal products.

This document specifies the relationship between the nominal volume of product and the maximum nominal brimful capacity of the outer container of the compartmented aerosol dispenser.

This document specifies dimensions of a series of deep screw finishes for the closure of wines with a CO2 content below 1,2 g per litre.
NOTE   Carbonation ≥ 1,2 g/l CO2 requires a suitable container and closure agreed between the glass maker, closure maker and packer/filler.

This document specifies the dimensions of the 26 mm-shallow crown finish for glass bottles containing beverages. The shallow crown finish is designed to use a metal crown cap (see Reference [2]).

This document gives guidance on the application of a quality management system in the manufacture, measuring and monitoring of design type approved dangerous goods packaging, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packaging.
This document does not include guidance specific to other management systems, such as those for environmental management, occupational health and safety management, or financial management.
It is applicable to an organization that:
a)           needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; and
b)           aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
All the guidance in this document is generic and intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provides.
NOTE       In this document, the terms "product" or "service" only apply to products and services intended for, or required by, a customer.
It does not apply to design type testing, for which reference is made to 6.1.5, 6.3.5, 6.5.6 and 6.6.5 of the UN Model Regulations[27].

This document specifies the critical dimensions of valve cups suitable for clinching into 25,4 mm aperture metal aerosol containers.
This document is applicable to aperture metal aerosol containers which are used with the metal aerosol containers in accordance with EN 14847 and EN 15006.
This European Standard does not specify dimples on aperture metal aerosol containers.
NOTE   To provide satisfactory filling in production, dimples are no longer considered essential but might still be used. Their presence could cause damage of the 25,4 mm aperture and their presence on lacquered cups can give rise to coating defects at the dimple feature. Thus, in the interest of simplicity and reduction of difficulties, dimples are excluded from this standard.

This document establishes general rules for the compilation of performance test schedules for complete, filled transport packages intended for use within any distribution system except for the packages used for dangerous goods.

This document specifies the dimensions of the 26 mm tall crown finish for glass bottles containing beverages. The tall crown finish is designed to use a metal crown cap (see e.g. EN 17177).

This document is applicable to flexible aluminum tubes.
This document defines the dimensions of the tube nozzle including orifice and thread.

This document specifies the dimensional requirements for the 26 mm diameter, 6 mm height crown cap, lined with a plastic gasket and designed to seal bottles with neck finishes foreseen for pry-off or twist-crown applications.
It specifies the dimensional requirements that are of direct importance to the customer/bottler and recommendations for cap application.
The gasket material and profile are not specified as a number of different profiles are available depending on the end use and supplier specific technology. The requirement placed on the gasket profile design is that it needs to be fit for purpose used in conjunction with glass finishes in reference.

This document specifies the characteristics and dimensions of plug/bung closure systems for internally threaded openings in plastics drums of nominal capacity 113,6 l to 220 l.

This European Standard specifies the dimensions of a cork mouth finish for corks and capsules for glass bottles, for wine that has a carbonation pressure not exceeding 1,2 g CO2/l, for use with natural corks.

ISO 17480:2015 specifies requirements and recommendations for the accessible design for packaging with a focus on ease of opening. It applies to reclosable and non-reclosable consumer packaging without using any other mechanical means. This International Standard covers the design aspects addressing openability including opening location, opening methods, as well as evaluation techniques, both instrumented and user-based. This International Standard is primarily for designers, developers, and evaluators of packaging and will also be useful for other disciplines.
For products regulated for safety or other reasons (e.g. toxic or dangerous goods and substances, medicinal products, and medical devices), those regulations take precedence.

This document specifies the methodology and procedure for determining the presence and minimization of other dangerous substances in relation with Annex II Para 1 Indent 3 of Directive 94/62/EC. This document is intended to be of practical use, and to enable efficient application of Directive 94/62/EC, even for small and medium-sized companies in the packaging industry, providing them with a methodology for assessing compliance with the Directive.
This document cannot by itself provide presumption of conformity. The procedure for applying this document is contained in EN 13427.

This European Standard specifies material parameters, test requirements and procedures for the comparative testing of polyethylene grades of high molecular weight high density polyethylene (PE-HD-HMW) and medium molecular weight high density polyethylene (PE-HD-MMW), used for the manufacture of packaging and IBCs for the transport of dangerous goods. It is intended to be used in conjunction with selective testing for packaging for liquids. The standard is not intended to be used for comparative testing of recycled plastics material.
NOTE   This European Standard is intended to be used in conjunction with one or more of the international regulations set out in the Bibliography.

This European Standard specifies the dimensions and volumes for one-piece aluminium aerosol containers with a 25,4 mm aperture.
This European Standard applies to one-piece containers of monobloc construction with an ogival, spherical or flat shoulder.

This European Standard specifies the dimensions of two and three-piece tinplate aerosol containers with nominal brimful capacities.

This European Standard specifies the general characteristics, test methods and requirements for sacks, bags and bin liners, made from plastic films, used for household waste collection, or household selective waste collection including collection of biodegradable waste for organic recycling (biodegradation and composting).
For the purpose of this European Standard biodegradable and compostable sacks, including ties if any, are those which comply with EN 13432.
This European standard applies only to sacks, bags and bin liners for which the first use is for household waste collection, or household selective waste collection.
NOTE   For editorial reasons, in this document the terms "sack" and "bag" are synonymous.

This European Standard is applicable for internally coated cylindrical aluminium tubes, mainly used for the packing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food or other household products.
The internal coating is used as a barrier and should avoid any contact between aluminium and the product. This European Standard defines the copper sulphate method to detect the electrolyte conductivity as one criterion for the quality of the internal coating.
NOTE   The electrolyte conductivity of the internal coating is only one criterion for evaluation of the quality of an internal coating. It does not give any information on the quantity or size of any pores or uncoated areas, nor any hint on possible reactions between the aluminium tube and the product. The electrolyte conductivity is never used as the sole criterion for quality evaluation of the internal coating, but always with other parameters, e.g. film thickness, acetone and/or ammonia resistance and of course results of enhanced stability studies.

This European Standard is applicable for internally coated cylindrical and conical aluminium tubes, mainly used for the packing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, hygiene, food or other household products.
The internal coating is used as a barrier and should avoid any contact between aluminium and the product. This European Standard defines the sodium chloride method to detect the electrolyte conductivity as one criterion for the quality of the internal coating.
NOTE   The electrolyte conductivity of the internal coating is only one criterion for evaluation of the quality of an internal coating. It does not give any information on the quantity or size of any pores or uncoated areas, nor any hint on possible reactions between the aluminium tube and the product. The electrolyte conductivity is never used as the sole criterion for quality evaluation of the internal coating, but always with other parameters, e.g. film thickness, acetone and/or ammonia resistance and of course results of enhanced stability studies.

ISO 13355:2016 specifies a method to carry out a vertical random vibration test on a complete, filled transport package(s) and unit loads using random excitation[1]. This document also provides methods for assessing the performance of a package in terms of its strength or the protection that it offers to its contents when it is subjected to vertical vibration. The test discussed in this document can be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of vertical vibration, or as a part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a test specimen to withstand a distribution system that includes a vibration hazard.
NOTE          In this International Standard, a package or unit load is referred to as test specimen.
[1]   Random vibration theory is discussed in IEC 60068-2-64.

This European Standard specifies the technical and functional properties of automatic recording equipment used to determine randomly appearing shocks during transportation.
Such automatic recording equipment can be used to:
—   determine mechanical shock loads on individual transportations;
—   monitor the transportation means to observe the limits of the shock parameters;
—   determine the shock loads on the transported item.
This standard defines the sensors to be attached to the device, and specifies the minimum requirements for the parameters to be adjusted. It also defines the minimum requirements for the data analysis, as well as the data presentation.
This standard covers the complete recording equipment, including its accelerometers and the data analysis in an external data processing unit. The accelerometers can be integrated into the device or separately mounted from it (external sensors).
This standard also applies to the routine monitoring of individual transportations

ISO 780:2015 specifies a set of graphical symbols conventionally used for marking of distribution packages in their physical distribution chain to convey handling instructions. The graphical symbols should be used only when necessary.
ISO 780:2015 is applicable to packages containing any kind of goods, but does not include instructions specific to handling of dangerous goods.

ISO 8317:2015 specifies performance requirements and test methods for reclosable packages designated as resistant to opening by children.
Acceptance criteria are given for the packages when tested by specified methods. These methods not only provide a measure of the effectiveness of the packaging in restricting access by children, but also cover the accessibility to the contents by adults.
ISO 8317:2015 is applicable to reclosable packages for any product intended to be exposed or removed from the packaging in normal use.
ISO 8317:2015 is intended for type approval only and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.

ISO 12818:2013 specifies the tolerances for the bottles intended to be used for pharmaceutical products, cosmetic and perfumery products and chemical products. The tolerances concerned are brimful capacity, height, diameter and width, and verticality.

This European Standard specifies appropriate tests and levels of performance for roll containers and dollies manufactured in all materials, assembled for use and stacked for storage when tested in accordance with EN 12674-3.

ISO 18613:2014 specifies the maximum defects and damage allowed before a flat wooden pallet shall be repaired, and defines the minimum repair criteria that shall be used.
ISO 18613:2014 is applicable to wooden flat pallets repaired with wood based components.