Overview
ISO 9884-2:1999 - "Tea sacks - Specification - Part 2: Performance specification for sacks for palletized and containerized transport of tea" defines the minimum performance and testing requirements to ensure multi‑wall sacks are suitable for palletized and containerized international transport of tea. It establishes performance equivalence or superiority to the ISO 9884-1 reference sack and covers mechanical integrity, barrier performance against tainting compounds, and real‑world transport trials.
Key topics and requirements
- Sack construction and dimensions
- Flat hexagonal ends; minimum two plies.
- Filled dimensions referenced to ISO 9884-1.
- Materials
- All materials must be free from taint/odour; no chlorophenols or derivatives.
- Outer ply: minimum wet burst index 1.2 kN/g (test per ISO 2758).
- Inner ply: aluminium‑foil‑coated barrier (aluminium facing inwards) or equivalent permeability to chlorophenols/chloroanisoles (measured per Annex B).
- Mechanical performance
- Drop test: at least three 60 kg filled sacks dropped three times (face, butt, side) from 3 m (per ISO 7965-1) with no rupture leading to loss of contents.
- Transport trials
- Comparative intercontinental trials against ISO 9884‑1 reference sacks for a minimum 6 months (Annex A).
- Scale: at least 1 000 test sacks, shipped on at least four vessels, with defined container/pallet arrangements and paired comparisons for damage, spillage, moisture, and organoleptic quality.
- Barrier permeability testing (Annex B)
- Laboratory method to quantify permeation of chlorophenols and chloroanisoles through barrier plies using a gas‑tight cell, absorbent traps (e.g., Tenax), and GC analysis - used to confirm inner‑ply equivalence.
- Test report
- Required documentation of materials, construction, drop test results and full transport trial details (packing, moisture content, voyage, lab analyses, sensory panel results).
Applications and practical value
- Use ISO 9884-2 to:
- Specify performance requirements in supplier contracts and procurement for tea packaging.
- Design and validate sacks for palletized and containerized transport.
- Establish quality control, certification and R&D criteria for new sack materials and laminates.
- Minimize risk of product loss, moisture ingress and taint during intercontinental shipping.
Who should use this standard
- Sack manufacturers and material suppliers
- Tea packers, exporters and logistics providers
- Quality assurance laboratories and test houses
- Procurement and compliance officers in the tea supply chain
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 9884-2, tea sacks, palletized transport, containerized transport, tea packaging standard, sack performance specification, barrier permeability, drop test, intercontinental transport trials.