SIST EN ISO 21898:2006

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
01-februar-2006
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 1898:2002
Embalaža - Prožni vsebniki IBC za nenevarne snovi (ISO 21898:2004)
Packaging - Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous goods (ISO
21898:2004)
Verpackung - Flexible Großpackmittel (FIBC) für nichtgefährliche Güter (ISO
21898:2004)
Emballages - Grands récipients vrac souples (GRVS) pour matieres non dangereuses
(ISO 21898:2004)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 21898:2005
ICS:
55.180.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
distribucijo blaga s prevozom freight distribution of goods
SIST EN ISO 21898:2006 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 21898
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2005
ICS 55.180.99 Supersedes EN 1898:2000
English Version
Packaging - Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for
non-dangerous goods (ISO 21898:2004)
Emballages - Grands récipients vrac souples (GRVS) pour Verpackung - Flexible Großpackmittel (FIBC) für
matières non dangereuses (ISO 21898:2004) nichtgefährliche Güter (ISO 21898:2004)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 26 August 2005.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 21898:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
EN ISO 21898:2005 (E)


Foreword

The text of ISO 21898:2004 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122 "Packaging"
of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO
21898:2005 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261 "Packaging", the secretariat of which is held
by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2006, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2006.

This document supersedes EN 1898:2000.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.


Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 21898:2004 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 21898:2005 without any
modifications.
2

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006


INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21898
First edition
2004-07-01


Packaging — Flexible intermediate bulk
containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous
goods
Emballages — Grands récipients vrac souples (GRVS) pour matières
non dangereuses




Reference number
ISO 21898:2004(E)
©
ISO 2004

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
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©  ISO 2004
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
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ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Materials, construction and design. 4
4.1 Materials. 4
4.2 Construction. 5
4.3 Design filling height. 5
5 Performance . 5
5.1 Type-testing. 5
5.2 Preparation of FIBC for test . 5
5.3 Test requirements . 6
6 Certification . 6
7 Marking. 7
Annex A (normative) UV resistance test . 9
Annex B (normative) Cyclic top lift test . 10
Annex C (normative) Compression/stacking test . 18
Annex D (informative) Guidance on selection and use of FIBCs . 19
Annex E (informative) Design of FIBCs. 24
Bibliography . 28

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 21898 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging, Subcommittee SC 3, Performance
requirements and tests for means of packaging, packages and unit loads.
iv © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21898:2004(E)

Packaging — Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for
non-dangerous goods
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies materials, construction and design requirements, type test, certification
and marking requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) intended to contain non-dangerous
solid materials in powder, granular or paste form, and designed to be lifted from above by integral or
detachable devices.
Guidance is also provided on the selection and safe usage of FIBCs.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 12048, Packaging — Complete, filled transport packages — Compression and stacking tests using a
compression tester
ISO 13934-1, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and
elongation at maximum force using the strip method
ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 General
3.1.1
flexible intermediate bulk container
FIBC
intermediate bulk container having the body made of flexible material such as woven fabric, plastics film or
paper, designed to be in contact with the contents, either directly or through an inner liner, and collapsible
when empty
3.1.2
heavy-duty reusable flexible intermediate bulk container
FIBC designed and intended to be used for a multitude of fillings and discharges, and both factory and field
repairable in such a way that the tensile strength across a repair is at least as great as that of the original
3.1.3
standard-duty reusable flexible intermediate bulk container
FIBC designed and intended to be used for a limited number of fillings and discharges
NOTE 1 An FIBC of this category cannot be reused if damaged, i.e. it is not repairable.
NOTE 2 The replacement of a removable inner liner is not considered a repair.
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
3.1.4
single-trip flexible intermediate bulk container
FIBC designed and intended to be used for one filling only
NOTE An FIBC of this category cannot be reused. Neither replacement of an inner liner nor repair of the FIBC is
relevant to this category.
3.1.5
FIBC type
FIBCs of like design, manufactured using like materials and methods of construction (giving at least equal
performance) to the same nominal cross-sectional dimensions
NOTE 1 Within a type, the circumference may be increased by up to 10 % by comparison with samples passing a type
test, provided the same geometry is maintained. Where the type has a base discharge spout, smaller diameter discharge
spouts of like design may be used.
NOTE 2 The presence or absence of an inner liner does not constitute a change of type.
3.1.6
safe working load
SWL
maximum load which the FIBC may carry in service, as certified
3.1.7
safety factor
SF
integer quotient between the final test load in the cyclic top lift test and the SWL value rounded down
NOTE 1 Safety factors may be illustrated as follows (see also B.3.3):
Example 1 Example 2
Designated SWL 500 kg 500 kg
Final load, cyclic test 2 400 kgf 2 600 kgf
Quotient 4,8 5,2
Integer quotient, rounded down 4 5
NOTE 2 The results in Example 1 above indicate a single-trip FIBC which does not meet the requirements of this
International Standard, whilst those in Example 2 indicate a single-trip FIBC which meets the requirements.
3.1.8
lifting device
integral and/or fixed lifting devices which form part of the FIBC and are tested with it
NOTE Detachable lifting devices are regarded as lifting tools.
3.2 FIBC parts
3.2.1
walls
tube of one or more layers, seamless or made out of one or more panels joined together
3.2.2
base
that part of the FIBC which is connected to or integral with the walls and forms the base of the standing FIBC
3.2.3
plain base
base without an opening
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
3.2.4
base with opening
flat, conical or in another way formed base with an opening
3.2.5
full open base
extensions to the wall(s), forming the base of the FIBC after closing
3.2.6
top
upper part of the FIBC, excluding handling devices, forming the top of the FIBC after closing
3.2.7
body
walls and base of the FIBC
3.2.8
inner liner
integral or removable container which fits into the FIBC
3.3 Operating devices
3.3.1
filling opening
opening for filling the FIBC
3.3.2
filling spout
tube-shaped part at the top for filling the FIBC
3.3.3
filling slit
slit-shaped opening at the top for filling the FIBC
3.3.4
outlet
opening for discharging the FIBC
3.3.5
discharging spout
tube-shaped part at the base for discharging the FIBC
3.3.6
closing parts
webbing, cords, straps, etc. which are used to close the filling and discharging devices
3.4 Handling devices
3.4.1
supporting and lifting devices
webbings, loops, ropes, eyes, frames or other devices formed from a continuation of the walls of the FIBC,
which are integral or detachable, and are used to support or lift the FIBC
3.4.2
four-point lifting
four lifting devices used simultaneously to lift the FIBC
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
3.4.3
two-point lifting
two lifting devices used simultaneously to lift the FIBC
3.4.4
one-point lifting
one lifting device, or one or more lifting devices brought to one point for lifting
3.5
safety and protection devices
valves, ventilation devices and additional parts which protect the filling, discharging or handling devices
3.6
coated and laminated materials
materials having a surface coating or comprising two or more layers laminated together to protect the contents
of the filled FIBC or to protect the environment against the effects of leakage of the contents
3.7 Special treatments
3.7.1
stabilization
modification of the FIBC materials to give better resistance against weathering and ageing
EXAMPLE The addition of an ultraviolet (UV) absorber and/or an antioxidant.
3.7.2
electrostatic conductivity treatment
treatment for modifying the electrostatic behaviour of the FIBC
3.7.3
insect-repellent treatment
treatment for increasing the ability of the FIBC to protect itself and/or its contents against insect attack
3.7.4
flame-retardant treatment
treatment to impart flame resistance to the FIBC
4 Materials, construction and design
4.1 Materials
All categories of FIBC shall be manufactured from flexible materials covered by a written specification. The
FIBC manufacturer shall have an authorized statement of conformity for each separate batch of materials.
The properties of the materials may be modified by additives to improve the resistance of the materials
against, for example, degradation by heat and sunlight, and to reduce the effect of static electricity.
All materials shall be tested for breaking force in accordance with the appropriate International Standards, and
shall be capable of retaining at least 85 % of the original breaking force after being completely immersed in
water for (25 ± 1) h. This measurement shall be taken after first drying the test specimen then, secondly, by
conditioning it for (60 ± 5) min at a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %.
All load-bearing materials of the FIBC shall, after being tested in accordance with the test described in
Annex A, retain at least 50 % of the original values of the breaking force and elongation of the materials.
Materials should be chosen and joined together in such a way that recovery is promoted.
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
4.2 Construction
All stitched seams and joints shall be locked off and/or back sewn, or provided with a minimum 20 mm tail. All
stitched seam-ends shall be secured. The surfaces to be joined by welding, glueing or heat-sealing shall be
clean.
4.3 Design filling height
The designed filling height of the FIBC shall be between 0,5 and 2 times the shortest horizontal dimension of
the FIBC.
NOTE For FIBCs with a circular cross-section, the shortest horizontal dimension is normally the diameter of the FIBC
base. For FIBCs with a rectangular base, the shortest horizontal dimension is normally the shortest side.
5 Performance
5.1 Type-testing
All FIBC types shall be subjected to the following tests:
a) cyclic top lift;
b) compression/stacking test.
At least three specimens of each FIBC type shall be submitted for testing leading to certification. The
specimens shall tested as follows.
 Specimen 1: cyclic top lift test using the FIBC having the shortest vertical dimension.
 Specimen 2: cyclic top lift test using the FIBC having the greatest vertical dimension.
 Specimen 3: compression test using the FIBC having the greatest vertical dimension.
To comply with this International Standard the three specimens shall all withstand the tests.
When the FIBC type has only one fixed vertical dimension, only Specimens 1 and 3 need be submitted and
tested to withstand the tests.
One tested sample shall be durably identified and retained for reference in any later complaint or arbitration.
Tests shall be carried out at a testing facility capable of meeting the operational provisions of ISO/IEC 17025.
5.2 Preparation of FIBC for test
5.2.1 Filling
For both the top lift and compression/stacking test, the FIBC shall be filled to the level specified in accordance
+ 5
with 4.3 by the manufacturer/supplier with a tolerance of % of that height. The FIBC shall be filled with
0
either
a) a material, e.g. plastics granules, having the following mechanical properties:
3 3
 bulk density, 500 kg/m to 900 kg/m ,
 mesh size 3 mm to 12 mm,
 angle of repose 30° to 35°, or
b) the actual contents to be carried, when these are known, and where their use will not itself be a hazard
NOTE When option b) is chosen, the FIBC type is certified in relation to that specific product only.
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
5.2.2 Conditioning
The filled FIBC shall be conditioned before testing at ambient temperature and relative humidity. However, in
the event of dispute, testing shall be carried out after conditioning under standard conditions of (23 ± 2) °C
and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity.
5.3 Test requirements
5.3.1 Cyclic top lift test(s)
Cyclic top lift test(s) shall be carried out in accordance with Annex B and the following criteria shall apply:
a) there shall be no breakage of any lifting devices to the extent that any of the lifting devices ceases to
support its load; and
b) when tested with an inner liner, there shall be no protrusion of the latter beyond the outer surface of the
FIBC, except through the closure(s), where this is a design feature; and
c) there shall be no loss of contents; and
d) no deterioration of the body which renders the FIBC unsafe for transport or storage.
A slight discharge during the test (e.g. from closures or stitch holes) should not be considered to be a failure of
the FIBC, provided that no further leakage occurs after the FIBC has been raised clear of the ground.
5.3.2 Compression/stacking test
The compression/stack test shall be carried out in accordance with Annex C and the following criteria shall
apply:
a) there shall be no loss of contents; and
b) no deterioration of the body which renders the FIBC unsafe for transport or storage.
A slight discharge during the test (e.g. from closures or stitch holes) should not be considered to be a failure of
the FIBC, provided that no further leakage occurs after the FIBC has been raised clear of the ground.
6 Certification
It is recommended that an FIBC type which conforms to the requirements of this International Standard should
be certified by a body working under appropriate operational provisions (such as those given in
ISO/IEC Guide 65) with a certificate of conformity based on a successful test report(s). ISO/IEC Guide 65 may
often be used but it is not a requirement of this International Standard that it shall be used. Where, however,
testing and certification are carried out by the same organization, separate individuals shall be responsible for
the tests and for the certification based on them, and shall be clearly identified in the documentation.
The certificate shall contain the data shown for the marking specified in Clause 7a) to i) and Clause 7k) to m),
together with
a) the name(s) and address(es) of the certifying body and of the test station(s), together with the
reference(s) and date(s) of the relevant test report(s), and
b) the material used as contents in the cyclic top lift and compression/stacking tests.
A certificate for an FIBC type shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of issue.
An FIBC certified and marked as a single-trip FIBC in conformity with this International Standard shall not be
reused.
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
An FIBC certified and marked as a reusable (heavy- or standard-duty) FIBC in conformity with this
International Standard shall be reused only with the same type of contents as in the first use.
Reuse of FIBCs with contents differing from those of the first use is not in accordance with this International
Standard.
7 Marking
All FIBCs shall be durably marked by means of a permanently attached and easily visible and readable label,
or durably printed on the body so that it is easily visible and read after the FIBC has been filled. The following
data shall be included:
a) name and address of the manufacturer;
b) manufacturer’s reference, which shall be unique to any one FIBC type;
c) name and address of the supplier, if required;
d) safe working load (SWL) in kilograms;
e) safety factor (SF), i.e. 5:1, 6:1 or 8:1 as appropriate;
f) reference to this International Standard;
g) class of FIBC, i.e. “heavy-duty reusable”, “standard-duty reusable” or “single-trip”;
h) type test certificate number (which shall be unique to any one type) and the month and year in which the
type test certificate was issued:
i) name of the approved laboratory;
j) date of manufacture of the FIBC, i.e. month and year;
k) pictograms of the recommended handling methods;
l) details of any special treatments as defined in 3.7;
m) where the FIBC is certified in relation to a specific product, the description of that product shall be added.
The layout of the label shall be as in Figure 1.
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
MANUFACTURER’S NAME & ADDRESS:

MANUFACTURER’S REFERENCE:

S.W.L.: ________________ kg SAFETY FACTOR: _________________________ :1

TEST CERTIFICATE No:
TEST CERTIFICATE Date:
APPROVED LABORATORY:
TEST STANDARD: ISO 21898:2004
FIBC CLASS:
DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF FIBC:
SPECIFIC TREATMENTS (if required):

CERTIFIED ONLY FOR (if required):

Handling recommendations/Pictograms:


Suppliers name and address (if required):


Figure 1 — FIBC label
8 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
Annex A
(normative)

UV resistance test
A.1 General
Materials often undergo rapid photochemical degradation under the influence of sunlight, unless they have
been stabilized in a durable fashion. An accelerated ageing that simulates ageing caused by sunlight may be
brought about by irradiation with light of a UV type. Samples cut from the load-bearing materials of the FIBC
(e.g. fabric, webbing, rope, sewing thread, glues) are subjected for a certain period of time to irradiation from a
light source of the UV type with specified spectral distribution. A number of factors of uncertainty are inherent
in the procedure, so comparisons should be available between the method used and exposures in the
environment in which the product is to be used.
Certain types of UV stabilizing additives are rapidly leached out, especially in an alkaline environment. This
should be taken into consideration in applicable situations.
The performance of UV stabilizing additives may be affected by colour and the type of pigment used.
Therefore, each combination of UV stabilizing additive and pigment should be tested separately.
A.2 Principle
Test specimens are alternately exposed to UV light alone and to condensation alone in a repetitive cycle.
A.3 Apparatus
The apparatus should be in accordance with ASTM G154-98, using a UV-B lamp.
A.4 Procedure
Expose a test specimen to a fluorescent UV lamp for at least 200 h, using a test cycle of 8 h at 60 °C with UV
radiation, alternating with 4 h at 50 °C with condensation.
After exposure is complete, test the specimen for breaking force and elongation at break in accordance with
ISO 13934-1 using the conditioning requirements given in 5.2.2. Compare the values with results performed
on simultaneously cut test specimens that have been stored under dark and cool conditions.
A.5 Expression of results
Express the results for breaking force in newtons on test specimens tested before and after exposure to the
UV radiation.
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SIST EN ISO 21898:2006
ISO 21898:2004(E)
Annex B
(normative)

Cyclic top lift test
B.1 Principle
The filled FIBC is suspended by its lifting devices with a flat pressure plate positioned on top of the contents.
This is done in one of two alternative ways:
a) the pressure plate is restrained either from above or below; the FIBC is suspended from a frame to which
an upward force is applied progressively against the resistance of the pressure plate; or
b) the FIBC is suspended from a frame fixed at the time of test, then a downward force is applied
progressively to the pressure plate.
The filled FIBC is subjected to a repeated loading, unloading and dwell cycle. The force is recorded and the
FIBC is observed for breakage of any lifting device, other damage or leakage of contents.
B.2 Requirements for apparatus
B.2.1 General
B.2.1.1 The pressure plate shall be flat except that flanges may be fitted to its underside to prevent lateral
displacement. The plate shall be of such a size that it covers between 60 % and 80 % of the surface area of
the contents.
B.2.1.2 The suspension frame
...