Overview
ISO 12625-1:2019 - Tissue paper and tissue products - Part 1: Vocabulary establishes a common, industry-wide vocabulary for tissue paper and tissue products. It defines general principles for the use of terms across the tissue sector (creped and un-creped processes and combinations) to harmonize communication, testing and commercial specifications. The document includes an alphabetical index, bibliography and a curated set of terms and definitions used in manufacturing, converting and testing.
Key topics
This part of the ISO 12625 series focuses on standardized terminology and covers technical concepts such as:
- Manufacturing processes: creping, dry creped, wet creped, conventional wet pressing (CWP), TAD/uncreped processes.
- Product structure and measurements: base paper, bulking thickness, bulk, apparent bulk density, grammage (typical tissue basis weights are indicated), bulking/thickness measurement practice.
- Surface and finishing: calendering, embossing, Yankee coating (adhesive, modifier, release), creping doctor blade.
- Functional properties: absorbency, absorption capacity and rate, absorption time, drapability, cloth-like feel, cushioning (pillowing).
- Quality and testing context: accelerated ageing, disintegration, and referencing of specific test methods within the ISO 12625 series.
- Color & optics: CIELAB colour spaces (D65/10°, C/2°), brightness measures.
The standard clarifies terms rather than prescribing test methods; it notes related measurement standards (see Related Standards).
Practical applications
ISO 12625-1:2019 is used to:
- Create unambiguous technical specifications and product data sheets for tissue products (toilet tissue, facial tissue, kitchen towels, industrial wipes, AFH products).
- Harmonize terminology between tissue manufacturers, converters, suppliers, test laboratories and customers.
- Improve clarity in test reports, regulatory dossiers and procurement documents.
- Support product development and quality control by ensuring consistent definitions of physical and sensory attributes (e.g., absorbency, softness, creped vs un-creped).
Who should use this standard
- Tissue manufacturers and mill engineers
- Converters and converting equipment suppliers
- Quality assurance and laboratory personnel
- Product developers and R&D teams
- Procurement, regulatory and standards professionals
Related standards
- ISO 12625 series (other parts cover test methods and specifications)
- ISO 15755 - detection of impurities and contraries in tissue paper and tissue products (explicitly referenced)
- ISO 287 - determination of moisture content in tissue paper and tissue products
Using ISO 12625-1:2019 ensures consistent, searchable terminology across technical documents and improves interoperability across the tissue product supply chain.