EN 13974:2002
(Main)Rigid plastics containers - Specification of tolerance for dimensions, weight and volume
Rigid plastics containers - Specification of tolerance for dimensions, weight and volume
This European Standard specifies tolerances for dimensions, mass and volume of plastic bottles and jars with a nominal capacity up to 5 l, of plastics canisters/jerricans with a nominal volume up to 20 l and for plastic pails up to 60 l.
NOTE Plastics bottles, jars, canisters and jerricans and pails are referred to as "containers" in this standard.
Formstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Grenzabmaße hinsichtlich Abmessungen, Masse und Volumen
Conteneurs en plastique rigide - Spécifications des tolérances sur les dimensions, le poids et le volume
La présente Norme européenne spécifie les tolérances sur les dimensions, la masse et le volume des bouteilles et bocaux en plastique d'une capacité nominale inférieure ou égale à 5 l, des bidons et jerricans en plastique d'un volume nominal inférieur ou égal à 20 l et des cuves en plastique d'un volume nominal inférieur ou égal à 60 l.
NOTE Dans la présente norme, les bouteilles, bocaux, bidons, jerricans et cuves en plastique sont désignés par le terme "conteneurs".
Toge plastične posode - Specifikacija odstopanj za mere, maso in prostornino
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 15-Oct-2002
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Apr-2003
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 261 - Packaging
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 04-Jun-2025
- Completion Date
- 04-Jun-2025
Overview
EN 13974:2002 is a CEN (European) standard that specifies tolerances for dimensions, mass and volume of rigid plastics containers. It covers plastic bottles and jars (nominal capacity up to 5 L), canisters/jerricans (up to 20 L) and pails (up to 60 L). The standard defines terms (nominal capacity, total capacity, brimful capacity) and provides requirements and test conditions to verify design and capacity performance of plastic packaging.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: clear definitions for bottles, jars, canisters/jerricans and pails, plus capacity terms used for testing and specification.
- Measurement conditions: measurements are taken on empty containers, not within 48 hours after manufacture, and under ambient conditions unless otherwise stated.
- Volume tolerances: brimful and total capacity tolerances are specified by nominal capacity bands for bottles/jars (≤5 L), canisters/jerricans (≤20 L) and pails (≤60 L). Tolerances vary by capacity range and provide both minimum brimful capacity and maximum total capacity limits.
- Dimensional tolerances: principal overall length tolerances are given by length bands. For example, length tolerances range from about ±3.0 mm for very short dimensions (≤20 mm) to about ±1.2 mm for lengths greater than 400 mm.
- Mass tolerances: the empty container mass tolerance is specified by mass bands. For example, acceptable tolerances include ±15% for very light containers (1–5 g) and tighten to around ±3% for containers above 500 g.
- Tables and bands: the standard uses tabulated tolerance bands for practical, reproducible assessment in production and testing.
Applications
EN 13974 is used to:
- Ensure consistency of plastic packaging dimensions and capacities for products such as beverages, chemicals, lubricants and consumer goods.
- Support quality control and production checks in blow-moulding and injection moulding operations.
- Provide procurement and specification criteria for buyers and brand owners requiring dimensional and volume accuracy.
- Inform compliance testing in third‑party labs and conformity assessments.
Who uses this standard
- Packaging designers and engineers
- Plastic container manufacturers and mould makers
- Quality assurance and metrology teams
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessment laboratories
- Purchase/specification teams in FMCG, chemical and industrial sectors
Related standards
EN 13974 is part of the suite of CEN packaging standards. National adoptions (for example SIST EN 13974:2003) implement it across member states. For complete compliance programs, use EN 13974 alongside other packaging standards and test-method specifications from CEN and national standards bodies.
Keywords: EN 13974, rigid plastics containers, tolerance, dimensions, mass, volume, bottles, jerricans, pails, CEN, plastic packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13974:2002 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Rigid plastics containers - Specification of tolerance for dimensions, weight and volume". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies tolerances for dimensions, mass and volume of plastic bottles and jars with a nominal capacity up to 5 l, of plastics canisters/jerricans with a nominal volume up to 20 l and for plastic pails up to 60 l. NOTE Plastics bottles, jars, canisters and jerricans and pails are referred to as "containers" in this standard.
This European Standard specifies tolerances for dimensions, mass and volume of plastic bottles and jars with a nominal capacity up to 5 l, of plastics canisters/jerricans with a nominal volume up to 20 l and for plastic pails up to 60 l. NOTE Plastics bottles, jars, canisters and jerricans and pails are referred to as "containers" in this standard.
EN 13974:2002 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 55.100 - Bottles. Pots. Jars; 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.SURVWRUQLQRFormstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Grenzabmaße hinsichtlich Abmessungen, Masse und VolumenConteneurs en plastique rigide - Spécifications des tolérances sur les dimensions, le poids et le volumeRigid plastics containers - Specification of tolerance for dimensions, weight and volume55.140Barrels. Drums. Canisters55.100Steklenice. Lonci. KozarciBottles. Pots. JarsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13974:2002SIST EN 13974:2003en,fr,de01-julij-2003SIST EN 13974:2003SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13974October 2002ICS 55.100; 55.140English versionRigid plastics containers - Specification of tolerance fordimensions, weight and volumeConteneurs en plastique rigide - Spécifications destolérances sur les dimensions, le poids et le volumeFormstabile Kunststoffbehälter - Grenzabmaße hinsichtlichAbmessungen, Masse und VolumenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 August 2002.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2002 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13974:2002 ESIST EN 13974:2003
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