Overview
EN ISO 12625-6:2016 - published by CEN and identical to ISO 12625-6:2016 - specifies a standardized test method for the determination of grammage (mass per unit area) of tissue paper and tissue products. Grammage is expressed in grams per square metre (g/m²). The document defines the principle, required apparatus, sampling and conditioning, preparation of test pieces, measurement procedure, calculation of results (including mean and standard deviation), and reporting. This edition (2016) supersedes the 2005 version and includes updated precision data.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and principle
- Measure the mass and area of one or more test pieces and calculate grammage as mass/area.
- Apparatus
- Balance with 0.001 g readability.
- Cutting device capable of producing test pieces with area within ±1.0% of a known area (or individual area measurement where cutting accuracy cannot be achieved).
- Length measurement device (ruler, digital ruler or scanner) with minimum accuracy of 0.5 mm.
- Sampling and conditioning
- Lot sampling: follow ISO 186.
- Conditioning and testing atmosphere: follow ISO 187; condition samples before preparation and keep in the standard atmosphere during testing.
- Preparation of test pieces
- Test pieces must be free from creases, perforations or visible damage.
- Minimum individual test-piece area: 100 cm²; a test piece may be composed of several smaller pieces.
- Cut at least 10 test pieces; determine mass for a minimum total area of 1 000 cm² (or larger convenient area).
- For uncut finished products, items must lie flat and unstressed; scanners or suitably large rulers may be used to measure area.
- Calculations and precision
- Calculate grammage for each test piece, then report mean and standard deviation. Annex A provides precision data for the method.
Applications
- Routine quality control and specification verification for tissue producers (toilet tissue, facial tissue, kitchen towels, industrial wipes).
- Incoming material inspection and production monitoring in converting and converting-plant operations.
- Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies validating declared product grammage.
- Procurement and regulatory compliance checks where grammage is a contractual or labeling requirement.
Related Standards
- ISO 12625 series (other parts address additional test methods for tissue products).
- Normative references cited: ISO 186 (sampling) and ISO 187 (conditioning).
Keywords: EN ISO 12625-6:2016, ISO 12625-6:2016, tissue paper, tissue products, determination of grammage, grammage test method, g/m², CEN.