Overview
EN ISO 4651:1995/A1:2008 (ISO 4651:1988/Amd 1:2006) is an amendment to the international test standard for cellular rubbers and plastics - determination of dynamic cushioning performance. The amendment was prepared by ISO and adopted by CEN in August 2008 without technical modification. It clarifies safety guidance and updates the normative references used to prepare, condition and assess cellular materials during dynamic cushioning (shock/impact) testing.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and subject: The standard addresses methods to determine the dynamic cushioning performance (impact/shock absorption characteristics) of cellular rubbers and plastics (foams).
- Safety statement: The amendment inserts a mandatory safety warning reminding users to follow normal laboratory practice and national safety/regulatory requirements when applying the standard.
- Updated normative references:
- Years of publication are removed from cited standards to keep references current.
- ISO 471 is superseded by ISO 23529 (Rubber - General procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces for physical test methods); Clause 6 and other references are amended accordingly.
- Titles updated for related standards such as ISO 845 (now titled “Cellular plastics and rubbers - Determination of apparent density”) and ISO 2231 (titled “Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing”).
- ISO 23529 is explicitly added for specimen preparation and conditioning.
- Conformity: As an EN ISO amendment, CEN members are required to adopt the amendment into national standards unchanged, by the stated implementation date.
Practical applications
Who uses this standard:
- Manufacturers of cellular rubbers and plastics (foam producers) for product development and quality control.
- Test laboratories performing dynamic cushioning and impact tests for specifications, compliance and material characterization.
- Product designers and OEMs selecting cushioning materials for packaging, automotive seating, protective equipment, sports gear, and vibration/impact isolation.
- Procurement and standards teams specifying acceptance criteria for cushioning materials and verifying supplier test results.
Why it matters:
- Ensures consistent, reproducible assessment of shock absorption and cushioning behavior.
- Provides harmonized references for specimen conditioning and density measurement, improving comparability across labs and suppliers.
Related standards
- ISO 23529 - specimen preparation and conditioning for rubber testing (now a normative reference)
- ISO 845 - determination of apparent density for cellular plastics and rubbers
- ISO 2231 - standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
Keywords: EN ISO 4651, ISO 4651 amendment, cellular rubbers and plastics, dynamic cushioning performance, foam testing, impact absorption, ISO 23529, apparent density, test conditioning, CEN.