EN 16284:2013

Overview

EN 16284:2013 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies a test method to determine the adhesive strength of peel-off membranes used on flexible laminate and plastic tubes. These membranes, made of aluminium or plastic, serve as tamper-evidence features on packaging tubes common in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industries. The primary goal of this standard is to ensure that the consumer can remove the membrane without excessive force, achieving a fully opened orifice while maintaining product integrity.

This test method is critical for quality control in flexible tube packaging, enhancing consumer safety, usability, and compliance with regulatory requirements on tamper evidence.

Key Topics

• Scope
  Applicable to plastic and laminate tubes with peel-off membranes designed for tamper-evidence. Ensures membranes are removable without undue force.

• Test Equipment
  The standard requires a dynamometer equipped with a clamping device to measure the force needed to peel off the membrane accurately.

• Test Procedure

  1. Attach the membrane to the dynamometer head.
  2. Secure the tube using a clamp or vice to prevent movement.
  3. Perform membrane removal at a controlled tearing speed of 300 mm/min.
  4. Pull the membrane axially/vertically until detachment, recording the maximum adhesive force.

• Result Interpretation
  A membrane fails the test if any membrane material remains stuck and obstructs the tube opening or if agreed force limits are exceeded between supplier and customer.

• Reporting Requirements
  Test reports must include references to EN 16284:2013, batch identification, production date, number and outcome of tests, defect counts, test details, and tester’s information.

Applications

• Quality Control in Packaging Production
  Manufacturers of flexible laminate and plastic tubes utilize EN 16284 to verify that peel-off membranes provide adequate tamper evidence while remaining user-friendly.

• Consumer Safety Assurance
  The standard ensures tamper-evident membranes are neither too difficult to remove nor prone to premature detachment, thereby protecting product integrity and consumer trust.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Adherence to EN 16284 supports compliance with European packaging regulations requiring tamper evidence on certain products, reducing product recalls and enhancing marketability.

• Supplier and Customer Agreements
  EN 16284 provides a standardized testing framework that can be referenced in commercial agreements to define acceptable adhesive strength ranges for membranes.

Related Standards

• EN 13428 – Packaging – Requirements for the use of recycled materials in packaging.
• EN 13432 – Packaging – Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation.
• ISO 18650 – Packaging – Flexible packaging materials – Guidelines for sealing performance testing.
• CEN/TC 261 Packaging Standards – Other relevant packaging testing and material standards.

By implementing EN 16284:2013, businesses engaged in the production, testing, and application of flexible laminate and plastic tubes can ensure tamper-evident membranes meet essential safety, usability, and quality criteria, strengthening consumer confidence and regulatory adherence across the European market and beyond.