ISO 838:1974
(Main)Paper - Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications
Paper - Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications
Applies to sheets or documents that can be perforated in an office with a simple punch, and does not apply to sheets or documents intended for special filing systems.
Papier — Perforations pour le classement courant — Spécifications
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Apr-1974
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 6 - Paper, board and pulps
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 6 - Paper, board and pulps
- Current Stage
- 9093 - International Standard confirmed
- Start Date
- 05-Jul-2021
- Completion Date
- 13-Dec-2025
Overview
ISO 838:1974 - "Paper - Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications" defines the basic hole layout and dimensions for sheets and documents intended for ordinary office filing. The standard applies to paper that can be perforated in an office with a simple punch (correspondence, thin documents, standards, etc.) and excludes sheets designed for special filing systems (e.g., proprietary loose‑leaf binders).
Key topics and requirements
The standard specifies the arrangement and dimensional characteristics of filing holes (dimensions in millimetres):
- Arrangement: Holes shall be arranged symmetrically in relation to the sheet axis and perpendicular to the axis of the holes. The axis may be parallel to either the short or long edge of the sheet, as required.
- Distance between centres of holes: 80 + 0.5 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)
- Diameter of holes: 6 * 0.5 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)
- Distance from centre of holes to nearest edge: 12 + 1.0 mm (as stated in ISO 838:1974)
These values establish consistent hole spacing, hole size, and edge clearance so punched documents are compatible with ordinary filing hardware and manual punches.
Applications
ISO 838:1974 is practical for:
- Office managers and administrators specifying document preparation processes.
- Stationery and paper manufacturers designing pre‑punched sheets and punch guides.
- Manufacturers of manual hole punches and simple filing accessories who need to ensure product compatibility with common office paper.
- Records managers and archivists who require consistent hole placement for long‑term storage and retrieval.
Using ISO 838 helps ensure documents from different sources can be filed together reliably, reducing misalignment and wear on filing hardware.
Related standards
- ISO 838:1974 replaces ISO Recommendation R 838 (1968).
- For special filing systems (loose‑leaf binders, proprietary formats), consult the specific binder or system standards rather than ISO 838.
Keywords: ISO 838:1974, paper holes, general filing, hole dimensions, hole spacing, hole diameter, filing systems, office punch, document perforation.
ISO 838:1974 - Paper -- Holes for general filing purposes -- Specifications
ISO 838:1974 - Papier -- Perforations pour le classement courant -- Spécifications
ISO 838:1974 - Papier -- Perforations pour le classement courant -- Spécifications
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 838:1974 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Paper - Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications". This standard covers: Applies to sheets or documents that can be perforated in an office with a simple punch, and does not apply to sheets or documents intended for special filing systems.
Applies to sheets or documents that can be perforated in an office with a simple punch, and does not apply to sheets or documents intended for special filing systems.
ISO 838:1974 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 01.140.30 - Documents in administration, commerce and industry; 85.080.10 - Office paper. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION l EXflYHAPOAHAJl OPl-AHM3ALUM n0 CTAHAAPTM3AIJMM~ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION
Holes for general filing purposes - Specifications
Paper -
Papier - Perforations pour le classement courant - Spkifications
First edition - 1974-05-l 5
Ref. No. IS0 838-1974 (E)
UDC 676.2 : 676.81.053.2
Descriptors : papers, document storage, classifying, peiforating, dimensions, hole size, layout.
Price based on 1 page
FOREWORD
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation
of national standards institutes (IS0 Member Bodies). The work of developing
International Standards is carried out through IS0 Technical Committees. Every
Member Body interested in a subject for which a Technical Committee has been set
up 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.
Draft International Standards adopted by the Technical Committees are circulated
to the Member Bodies for approval before their acceptance as International
Standards by the IS0 Council.
Prior to 1972, the results of the work of the Technical Committees were published
as IS0 Recommendations; these documents are now in the process of being
transformed into International Standards. As part of this process, Technical
Committee lSO/TC 6 has reviewed IS0 Recommendation R 838 and found it
suitable for transformation. International Standard IS0 838 therefore replaces IS0
Recommendation R 838-l 968.
IS0 Recommendation R 838 was approved by the Member Bodies of the following
countries :
Argentina New Zealand
Germany
Norway
Australia Greece
Hungary Portugal
Austria
Romania
Belgium India
Spain
Brazil Iran
Switzerland
Chile Ireland
Czechosl
...
ORM RNATIONALE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION l MEX~YHAPOlJHA(I OPI-AHM3ALJMR n0 CTAHAAPTM3AIJWM *ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION
Papier - Perfor tions pour le classement courant -
Spécifications
Paper - Hofes for general filing pur-poses - Specifications
Première édition - 1974-05-l 5
CDU 676.2 : 676.81.053.2
Réf. NO : ISO 838-1974 (F)
Descripteurs : papier, stockage de documents, classement, perforation, dimension, dimension de trou, disposition.
Prix basé sur 1 page
AVANT-PROPOS
L’ISO (Organisation Internationale de Normalisation) est une fédération mondiale
d’organismes nationaux de normalisation (Comités Membres KO). L’élaboration de
Normes Internationales est confiée aux Comités Techniques ISO. Chaque Comité
Membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire partie du Comité Technique
correspondant. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec I’ISO, participent également aux travaux.
Les Projets de Normes Internationales adoptés par les Comités Techniques sont
soumis aux Comités Membres pour approbation, avant leur acceptation comme
Normes Internationales par le Conseil de I’ISO.
Avant 1972, les résultats des travaux des Comités Techniques étaient publiés
comme Recommandations ISO; maintenant, ces documents sont en cours de
transformation en Normes Internationales. Compte tenu de cette procédure, le
Comité Technique ISO/TC 6 a examiné la Recommandation ISO/R 838 et est d’avis
qu’elle peut, du point de vue technique, être transformée en Norme Internationale.
Celle-ci remplace donc la Recommandation lSO/R 838-l 968.
La Recommandation ISO/R 838 avait été approuvée par les Comités Membres des
pays suivants :
Allemagne France
Nouvelle-Zélande
Argentine
Grèce Pays-Bas
Australie Hongrie Portugal
Autriche Inde Roumanie
Belgique Iran Royaume-Uni
Brésil Irlande Suisse
...
ORM RNATIONALE
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION l MEX~YHAPOlJHA(I OPI-AHM3ALJMR n0 CTAHAAPTM3AIJWM *ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALISATION
Papier - Perfor tions pour le classement courant -
Spécifications
Paper - Hofes for general filing pur-poses - Specifications
Première édition - 1974-05-l 5
CDU 676.2 : 676.81.053.2
Réf. NO : ISO 838-1974 (F)
Descripteurs : papier, stockage de documents, classement, perforation, dimension, dimension de trou, disposition.
Prix basé sur 1 page
AVANT-PROPOS
L’ISO (Organisation Internationale de Normalisation) est une fédération mondiale
d’organismes nationaux de normalisation (Comités Membres KO). L’élaboration de
Normes Internationales est confiée aux Comités Techniques ISO. Chaque Comité
Membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire partie du Comité Technique
correspondant. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec I’ISO, participent également aux travaux.
Les Projets de Normes Internationales adoptés par les Comités Techniques sont
soumis aux Comités Membres pour approbation, avant leur acceptation comme
Normes Internationales par le Conseil de I’ISO.
Avant 1972, les résultats des travaux des Comités Techniques étaient publiés
comme Recommandations ISO; maintenant, ces documents sont en cours de
transformation en Normes Internationales. Compte tenu de cette procédure, le
Comité Technique ISO/TC 6 a examiné la Recommandation ISO/R 838 et est d’avis
qu’elle peut, du point de vue technique, être transformée en Norme Internationale.
Celle-ci remplace donc la Recommandation lSO/R 838-l 968.
La Recommandation ISO/R 838 avait été approuvée par les Comités Membres des
pays suivants :
Allemagne France
Nouvelle-Zélande
Argentine
Grèce Pays-Bas
Australie Hongrie Portugal
Autriche Inde Roumanie
Belgique Iran Royaume-Uni
Brésil Irlande Suisse
...
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