EN 868-5:2009

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2009
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 868-5:2000
SIST EN 868-5:2000/AC:2002
(PEDODåD]DNRQþQRVWHULOL]LUDQHPHGLFLQVNHSULSRPRþNHGHO9UHþNHLQ]YLWNL
SDSLUMD]PRåQRVWMRWHVQMHQMDVDPROHSLOQLL]SRUR]QHJDPDWHULDODLQVSODVWLþQLPL
IROLMDPL=DKWHYHLQSUHVNXVQHPHWRGH
Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices - Part 5: Sealable pouches and reels
of porous materials and plastic film construction - Requirements and test methods
Verpackungsmaterialien für in der Endverpackung zu sterilisierende Medizinprodukte -
Teil 5: Siegelfähige Klarsichtbeutel und -schläuche aus porösem Material und Kunststoff-
Verbundfolie - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren
Matériaux et systèmes d'emballage pour les dispositifs médicaux stérilisés au stade
terminal - Partie 5: Sachets et gaines thermoscellables et auto-scellables en papier et en
film plastique - Exigences et méthodes d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 868-5:2009
ICS:
11.080.30 Sterilizirana embalaža Sterilized packaging
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 868-5
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2009
ICS 11.080.30 Supersedes EN 868-5:1999
English Version
Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices - Part 5:
Sealable pouches and reels of porous materials and plastic film
construction - Requirements and test methods
Matériaux d'emballage pour les dispositifs médicaux Verpackungen für in der Endverpackung zu sterilisierende
stérilisés au stade terminal - Partie 5: Sachets et gaines Medizinprodukte - Teil 5: Siegelfähige Klarsichtbeutel und -
thermoscellables constitués d'une face matière poreuse et schläuche aus porösem Material und Kunststoff-
d'une face film plastique - Exigences et méthodes d'essai Verbundfolie - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 23 April 2009.
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 CEN 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 translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 868-5:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Requirements .6
5 Information to be supplied by the manufacturer .8
Annex A (informative) Details of significant technical changes between this European Standard
and the previous edition . 10
Annex B (normative) Method for the determination of resistance to the intended sterilization
process . 11
Annex C (normative) Method for the determination of pinholes in plastic laminate . 12
Annex D (normative) Method for the determination of the strength of the seal joint for pouches
and reel material . 14
Annex E (normative) Method for the determination of peel characteristics of paper/plastic
laminate products . 16
Annex F (normative) Method for the determination of fibre orientation . 17
Bibliography . 18

Foreword
This document (EN 868-5:2009) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 102 “Sterilizers for
medical purposes”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
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 November 2009, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn
at the latest by November 2009.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 868-5:1999.
Annex A provides details of significant technical changes between this European Standard and the previous
edition.
EN 868 consists of the following parts, under the general title Packaging for terminally sterilized medical
devices:
Part 2: Sterilization wrap — Requirements and test methods;
Part 3: Paper for use in the manufacture of paper bags (specified in EN 868-4) and in the manufacture of
pouches and reels (specified in EN 868-5) — Requirements and test methods;
Part 4: Paper bags — Requirements and test methods;
Part 5: Sealable pouches and reels of porous materials and plastic film construction — Requirements and test
methods;
Part 6: Paper for low temperature sterilization processes — Requirements and test methods;
Part 7: Adhesive coated paper for low temperature sterilization processes — Requirements and test methods;
Part 8: Re-usable sterilization containers for steam sterilizers conforming to EN 285 — Requirements and test
methods;
Part 9: Uncoated nonwoven materials of polyolefines — Requirements and test methods;
Part 10: Adhesive coated nonwoven materials of polyolefines — Requirements and test methods.
In addition, ISO/TC 198 "Sterilization of health care products" in collaboration with CEN/TC 102 "Sterilizers for
medical purposes" has prepared the EN ISO 11607 series "Packaging for terminally sterilized medical
devices". The EN ISO 11607 series specifies general requirements for materials, sterile barrier systems and
packaging systems (Part 1) and validation requirements for forming, sealing and assembly processes (Part 2).
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
The EN ISO 11607 series consists of two parts under the general title "Packaging for terminally sterilized
medical devices". Part 1 of this series specifies general requirements and test methods for materials,
preformed sterile barrier systems, sterile barrier systems and packaging systems that are intended to maintain
sterility of terminally sterilized medical devices to the point of use. Part 2 of this series specifies validation
requirements for forming, sealing and assembly processes.
Every sterile barrier system shall fulfil the requirements of EN ISO 11607-1.
The EN 868 series can be used to demonstrate compliance with one or more of the requirements specified in
EN ISO 11607-1.
During the revision of EN 868 parts 2 to 10 CEN/TC 102/WG 4 recognized Resolution CEN/BT 21/2003
relating to the implementation of the uncertainty of measurement concept in standards. Following this
Resolution and the corresponding guidance, CEN/TC 102/WG 4 has initiated a review of the test methods
needed to show compliance with the requirements specified in EN 868 parts 2 to 10 with the intention that the
information required by CEN/BT 21/2003 be available for inclusion in EN 868 parts 2 to 10 during one of their
next revisions.
CEN/TC 102/WG 4 also appreciates the initiatives of CEN with regard to the minimization of adverse
environmental impacts by standards. It was agreed that this subject should be given priority during the next
edition of the EN ISO 11607 series that is the basic reference for all parts of the series EN 868.
1 Scope
This part of EN 868 provides test methods and values for sealable pouches and reels manufactured from
porous materials complying with either EN 868 part 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 or 10 and plastic film complying with Clause 4
used as sterile barrier systems and/or packaging systems that are intended to maintain sterility of terminally
sterilized medical devices to the point of use.
NOTE 1 The need for a protective packaging may be determined by the manufacturer and the user.
This part of EN 868 only introduces performance requirements and test methods that are specific to the
products covered by this part of EN 868 but does not add or modify the general requirements specified in
EN ISO 11607-1.
As such, the particular requirements in 4.2 to 4.5 can be used to demonstrate compliance with one or more
but not all of the requirements of EN ISO 11607-1.
The materials specified in this part of EN 868 are intended for single use only.
NOTE 2 When additional materials are used inside the sterile barrier system in order to ease the organization, drying
or aseptic presentation (e.g. inner wrap, container filter, indicators, packing lists, mats, instrument organizer sets, tray
liners or an additional envelope around the medical device) then other requirements, including the determination of the
acceptability of these materials during validation activities, may apply.
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.
EN 868-2, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 2: Sterilization wrap — Requirements
and test methods
EN 868-3, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 3: Paper for use in the manufacture of
paper bags (specified in EN 868-4) and in the manufacture of pouches and reels (specified in EN 868-5) —
Requirements and test methods
EN 868-6, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 6: Paper for low temperature sterilization
process — Requirements and test methods
EN 868-7, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 7: Adhesive coated paper for low
temperature sterilization processes — Requirements and test methods
EN 868-9, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 9: Uncoated nonwoven materials of
polyolefines — Requirements and test methods
EN 868-10, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 10: Adhesive coated nonwoven
materials of polyolefines — Requirements and test methods
EN ISO 11140-1, Sterilization of health care products — Chemical indicators — Part 1: General requirements
(ISO 11140-1:2005)
EN ISO 11607-1:2006, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices — Part 1: Requirements for
materials, sterile barrier systems and packaging systems (ISO 11607-1:2006)
ISO 8601, Data elements and interchange formats — Information interchange — Representation of dates and
times
ASTM D 882:1995, Test Methods for Tensile Properties of the Thin Plastic Sheeting
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 11607-1:2006 and the following
apply.
3.1
healthcare facility
location where patients are medically treated and/or medical devices are terminally sterilized
EXAMPLE Hospital, dentist office, practitioner.
4 Requirements
4.1 General
The requirements of EN ISO 11607-1 apply.
NOTE 1 EN ISO 11607-1:2006, 5.1.4 refers to conditions during production and handling with respect to their impact
on the product (e.g. electrostatic conductivity, bioburden if applicable).
NOTE 2 For validation requirements for forming, sealing and assembly processes, see EN ISO 11607-2.
4.2 Materials
4.2.1 Porous material
The porous material shall comply with the requirements of either EN 868 part 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 or 10.
When the porous material is to be used to manufacture preformed sterile barrier systems intended to be
irradiation sterilized only, requirements for wet strength properties or permeability to air need not apply.
4.2.2 Plastic film
4.2.2.1 The plastic film shall be a composite of two or more layers. When tested after the intended
sterilization process in accordance with Annex B the plastics interply bond shall not separate nor become
cloudy.
4.2.2.2 The plastic film shall be free from pinholes when tested in accordance with Annex C.
4.2.2.3 When examined by unaided normal or corrected vision in transmitted light (daylight or good
artificial light) the plastic film shall be free from foreign matter and/or other imperfections that would adversely
affect compliance with the requirements of 4.5.
NOTE Slight continuous surface irregularities arising from the extrusion of the plastic film is not regarded as a defect.
4.2.2.4 The plastic film shall be sealable to the porous material under the conditions specified by the
manufacturer (see Clause 5, NOTE 1).
4.2.2.5 The breaking factor of the plastics film shall be not less than 20 N per 15 mm width when tested
in accordance with ASTM D 882:1995 (Method A).
4.3 Construction and design
4.3.1 Reel material shall be constructed from one layer of porous material and one layer of plastics film,
sealed together along parallel sides.
Pouches shall be constructed from one layer of porous material and one layer of plastic film by sealing three
sides and may include an area to effect closure of the pouch.
4.3.2 The overall width of the seal(s) shall be not less than 6 mm. For ribbed seals, the sum of the widths of
the ribs shall be not less than 6 mm.
4.3.3 The distance between the end of a pouch and the nearest edge of the width wise seal shall be
sufficient to enable the two webs to be separated and peeled apart.
NOTE The side seals can extend beyond the width wise seal to the end of the pouch provided that this does not
impair peelability.
4.3.4 One of the materials of a pouch shall:
a) be provided with a thumb notch not more than 12 mm deep at either the top or bottom of the pouch or at
both ends. The bottom of the notch shall be
...