Overview
The EN ISO 8367-2:1996 standard specifies dimensional tolerances for general purpose sacks made from thermoplastic flexible film. It provides clear guidelines for manufacturers on acceptable variations in critical sack dimensions such as thickness, length, width, gusset width, and valve positioning. Developed by ISO Technical Committee 122 (Packaging), Sub-Committee SC 2 (Sacks), and adopted by CEN, this standard ensures consistent quality and uniformity in sack production.
This part 2 of ISO 8367 focuses exclusively on sacks made from thermoplastic films, complementing part 1 which covers paper sacks. The standard supports manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and quality control professionals in maintaining precise sack specifications, critical for packaging integrity and end-use performance.
Key Topics
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Thickness of plies
Specifies permissible measurement variations in the film thickness, ensuring material consistency and strength.
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Sack dimensions
Defined tolerances for:
- Length and width of the sack
- Width of gusset and bottom sections
- Circumference including gussets
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Valve specifications
Controls precise dimensions and positioning of valve types such as pasted and heat-sealed valves, including:
- Width of valve
- Leading edge position of valve sleeve
- Length of valve sleeve
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Print position on sack
Sets approved dimensional variations for the location of printed elements in both length and width directions to align with branding or labeling requirements.
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Measurement methodology
References established ISO standards (e.g., ISO 4593 for thickness measurement and ISO 6591-2 for dimensional description) ensuring standardized measurement procedures across manufacturers.
Applications
The EN ISO 8367-2 standard is essential for industries relying on thermoplastic flexible film sacks for packaging a wide variety of goods, including:
- Agricultural products (grains, seeds, animal feed)
- Construction materials (cements, sand, powders)
- Foodstuffs (flour, sugar, salt)
- Chemical granulates and powders
By adhering to this standard, manufacturers achieve:
- Improved product consistency and quality control
- Enhanced interoperability between sack producers and industrial users
- Reduced risk of packaging failures or leakage due to dimensional inaccuracies
- Compliance with international packaging regulations and customer requirements
Related Standards
This standard fits within a series addressing different sack materials and testing protocols, including:
- ISO 8367-1: Packaging - Dimensional tolerances for general purpose sacks - Part 1: Paper sacks
- ISO 6590-2: Packaging - Sacks - Vocabulary relevant to thermoplastic flexible film sacks
- ISO 6591-2: Packaging - Sacks - Description and measurement of empty sacks made from thermoplastic flexible film
- ISO 7023: Sampling methods for empty sacks for testing purposes
- ISO 4593: Plastics - Film and sheeting - Determination of thickness by mechanical scanning
Together, these standards establish a comprehensive framework for the manufacturing, sampling, and quality evaluation of sacks in packaging industries worldwide.
By aligning sack production processes with EN ISO 8367-2:1996, manufacturers ensure consistent packaging dimension tolerances, improving reliability, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance in thermoplastic flexible film sack applications.