ISO 12604-1:2017
(Main)Aircraft ground handling - Checked baggage - Part 1: Mass and dimensions
Aircraft ground handling - Checked baggage - Part 1: Mass and dimensions
ISO 12640-1:2017 specifies mass and dimensions requirements for individual pieces of baggage checked in by airline passengers at airports to be carried in aircraft cargo compartments. ISO 12640-1:2017 does not apply to cabin baggage carried on board by passengers.
Traitement au sol des aéronefs — Bagages enregistrés — Partie 1: Masses et dimensions
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 19-Mar-2017
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 20/SC 9 - Air cargo and ground equipment
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 20/SC 9 - Air cargo and ground equipment
- Current Stage
- 9093 - International Standard confirmed
- Start Date
- 26-Oct-2022
- Completion Date
- 13-Dec-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 06-Jun-2022
Overview
ISO 12604-1:2017 - Aircraft ground handling - Checked baggage - Part 1: Mass and dimensions defines mass and dimensional requirements for individual pieces of checked baggage accepted at airport check-in for carriage in aircraft cargo compartments. It does not apply to cabin (carry-on) baggage. The standard aims to reduce musculo‑skeletal disorders (MSD) for baggage handlers, improve baggage‑handling efficiency and provide design criteria for automated baggage handling systems.
Key topics and requirements
- Standard baggage mass: shall be between 2 kg (min) and 23 kg (max) per piece.
- Note: very low mass can hamper automated equipment.
- Standard baggage dimensions: total Length + Width + Height ≤ 1 580 mm (62 in); longest dimension ≤ 915 mm (36 in); shortest dimension ≥ 120 mm (5 in). Handles are excluded from measurement.
- Very small dimensions can also affect automated handling performance.
- Conveyability: to be handled by mechanized systems a piece shall have a stable shape, at least one flat surface, and no protruding straps/hooks. Non‑conveyable pieces may require reconditioning (e.g., shrink wrap or outer bag).
- Non‑standard baggage: may be accepted only as exceptions. If undividable and heavy:
- Mass limit for acceptance ≤ 46 kg (100 lb); pieces above this should be transported as freight.
- Heavy pieces must be labelled (see Annex A) with mass information and handled with special measures (two-person lift or ancillary equipment).
- Dimensional acceptance recommended up to 3 000 mm (118 in) total; larger items should be carried as freight.
- Handling & safety: handling agents should minimize manual handling using mechanized equipment. Where manual handling occurs, a risk assessment per ISO 11228‑1 is required and remedial measures/training must be applied.
- Information to passengers: carriers shall inform passengers in advance of baggage requirements and non‑standard acceptance rules.
Applications and who uses it
- Airlines and carriers - define checked‑baggage acceptance policies and passenger information.
- Ground handling agents and airport operators - design operational procedures, staffing, labeling and outsize circuits.
- Baggage handling system designers and integrators - ensure equipment can handle the specified mass/dimensions and conveyability features.
- Ergonomists, health & safety teams and regulators - evaluate manual handling risks and compliance.
- Airport planners - size outsize baggage circuits and automated conveyors using the dimensional limits.
Related standards
- ISO 11228‑1 (Ergonomics - Manual handling - Lifting and carrying)
- ISO 11228‑3 (Handling of low loads at high frequency)
- ISO 10254 (Air cargo and ground equipment - Vocabulary)
- Other parts of the ISO 12604 series (Part 2: Handling guidelines; Part 3: Work station ergonomics)
Keywords: ISO 12604-1, checked baggage, aircraft ground handling, baggage mass and dimensions, airport baggage handling, conveyability, heavy baggage, automated baggage handling systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 12604-1:2017 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Aircraft ground handling - Checked baggage - Part 1: Mass and dimensions". This standard covers: ISO 12640-1:2017 specifies mass and dimensions requirements for individual pieces of baggage checked in by airline passengers at airports to be carried in aircraft cargo compartments. ISO 12640-1:2017 does not apply to cabin baggage carried on board by passengers.
ISO 12640-1:2017 specifies mass and dimensions requirements for individual pieces of baggage checked in by airline passengers at airports to be carried in aircraft cargo compartments. ISO 12640-1:2017 does not apply to cabin baggage carried on board by passengers.
ISO 12604-1:2017 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 49.100 - Ground service and maintenance equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 12604-1:2017 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 26082-1:2019. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
You can purchase ISO 12604-1:2017 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of ISO standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12604-1
First edition
2017-02
Aircraft ground handling — Checked
baggage —
Part 1:
Mass and dimensions
Traitement au sol des aéronefs — Bagages enregistrés —
Partie 1: Masses et dimensions
Reference number
©
ISO 2017
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Tel. +41 22 749 01 11
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copyright@iso.org
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ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 Standard baggage . 2
4.1.1 Mass . 2
4.1.2 Dimensions . 2
4.1.3 Conveyability . 2
4.2 Non-standard baggage . 2
4.2.1 Acceptance . 2
4.2.2 Mass . 3
4.2.3 Dimensions . 3
4.3 Information . 3
4.4 Handling. 3
Annex A (informative) Typical examples of heavy baggage identification labels .5
Bibliography . 6
Foreword
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
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URL: w w w . i s o .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles,
Subcommittee SC 9, Air cargo and ground equipment.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 12604- series can be found on the ISO website.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved
Introduction
This document specifies maximum weight and dimensions requirements for baggage checked in by
airline passengers to be carried in aircraft cargo compartments, in order to
— contribute to alleviating work conditions for baggage handling personnel and reducing the incidence
of musculo-skeletal disorders (MSD) in this population,
— facilitate enhancing the overall efficiency of baggage handling, and
— provide standards for designing automated baggage handling systems increasingly used at airports.
Throughout this document, the minimum essential criteria are identified by use of the key word “shall”.
Recommended criteria are identified by use of the key word “should” and, while not mandatory, are
considered to be of primary importance in providing safe and efficient baggage handling. Deviation
from the recommended criteria should only occur after careful consideration and thorough service
evaluation have shown alternate methods to provide an equivalent level of work safety.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12604-1:2017(E)
Aircraft ground handling — Checked baggage —
Part 1:
Mass and dimensions
1 Scope
This document specifies mass and dimensions requirements for individual pieces of baggage checked
in by airline passengers at airports to be carried in aircraft cargo compartments.
This document does not apply to cabin baggage carried on board by passengers.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition indicated applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 11228-1, Ergonomics — Manual handling — Part 1: Lifting and carrying
ISO 11228-3, Ergonomics — Manual handling — Part 3: Handling of low loads at high frequency
ISO 10254, Air cargo and ground equipment — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 10254, ISO 11228-1, and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http:// www .iso .org/ obp
3.1
baggage
bag, suitcase, trunk or similar article travelling with a checked passenger and containing those items
necessary for the passenger’s journey, such as clothing and personal articles within certain limitations
in accordance with the applicable carrier conditions of carriage, that is accepted and checked in for
loading and carriage aboard the same aircraft
Note 1 to entry: Does not include freight, express cargo, courier mail, or unacc
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