ISO/TS 18617:2025

Technical
Specification
ISO/TS 18617
First edition
Hand hole design principles and
2025-09
test methods for handheld packages
Principes de conception et méthodes d'essai des systèmes de
préhension pour emballages portatifs
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Design criteria . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Hand hole .2
4.2.1 General .2
4.2.2 Hand hole design .2
4.3 Caution signs .4
4.3.1 General .4
4.3.2 Weight warning label .4
5 Testing methods . 5
5.1 General .5
5.2 Jerk test .5
5.2.1 Application .5
5.2.2 Use .5
5.2.3 Tools . .5
5.2.4 Test procedure.7
5.3 Tensile test .8
5.3.1 Application target .8
5.3.2 Use .8
5.3.3 Tools . .8
5.3.4 Samples .9
5.3.5 Test procedure.10
6 Test report .11
Annex A (informative) Alternative test method for tensile strength of hand holes .12
Bibliography . 14

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 122, Packaging, Subcommittee SC 3
Performance requirements and tests for means of packaging, packages and unit loads.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
The product categories that logistics workers handle manually are diverse, including various electrical and
electronic products, household goods, food and beverage products, etc. One of the major ergonomic safety
issues that arise is musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injuries caused by repetitive vertical movements,
movements, and momentary loads.
According to Reference [11] most market staff are women in their 40’s and 50’s. They pick up and put down
boxes an average of 149 times a day, and 85,3 % of them suffer from musculoskeletal injuries such as pain
in the shoulders, backs, and knees. The study concluded that even just adding hand holes to boxes would
reduce the load by 10 %.
Although hand holes in boxes cannot completely eliminate all risks of accidents, they can enhance safety
and efficiency by making logistics and distribution activities, including loading, unloading, warehousing,
sorting, and transportation, more convenient and less dangerous to handlers, thus helping to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders. Transport packaging designed appropriately for the size and/or weight of the
product, the durability of the package material, etc., reduces the risk of workers using excessive lifting
forces. Poor design can lead to product damage or worker injury.
This document provides hand hole design criteria and test methods for handheld packages to provide a safer
working environment for workers who lift or move boxes. Some criteria and test methods in this document
are based on ASTM D6804, with some modifications to the design requirements and test methods to ensure
the usability of this document.

v
Technical Specification ISO/TS 18617:2025(en)
Hand hole design principles and test methods for handheld
packages
1 Scope
This document describes the ergonomic design criteria and test evaluation methods for the hand holes of
handheld packages that are handled by human operators during the distribution and logistics process. This
document is applicable to handheld packages with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg.
This document does not cover all issues of safety, health, and the environment related to the handling of
packages.
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 cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 186, Paper and board — Sampling to determine average quality
ISO 187, Paper, board and pulps — Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing and procedure for
monitoring the atmosphere and conditioning of samples
ISO 527-1, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles
ISO 21067-1, Packaging — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 21067-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
handheld package
distribution package, weighing up to 23 kg, intended to be handled by one adult
Note 1 to entry: The maximum allowed weight that one person can handle at one time can vary depending on individual
strength, box weight, size, operation frequency, moving distance, and country-specific regulations.
3.2
hand hole
pre-cut hole on the package, intended to be used as a handle during logistics and distribution activities

4 Design criteria
4.1 General
When establishing the design criteria for hand holes, manufacturers and sellers of handheld boxes can take
into account various elements including those covered in this document as well as material, structural and
technical feasibility, logistical suitability, application effects, and other safety functions and costs.
4.2 Hand hole
4.2.1 General
An adequate hand hole should be used for packages, allowing one or two people to safely handle the product.
Such hand holes are intended for lifting the package upwards in a vertical direction. It is not designed to be
pulled, pushed, or lifted with one hand. The hand holes described in this document are intended to be used
with two hands in common handling conditions.
Hand holes can be used as handles, but not all hand holes are designed for this function. Some of them can be
designed for other purposes, such as ventilation, or inspection and adjustment of the contents. Some hand
holes can be designed to facilitate moving or rotating heavy packages rather than lifting them. Even if the
packaging has holes for ventilation or inspection of contents, if it is used for handling purposes, it shall meet
the design criteria in 4.2.2.
4.2.2 Hand hole design
4.2.2.1 Structure and size
A hand hole should allow the box to be gripped by hands. The perforated part should not be sharp so as to
avoid injuries. The hole should have a high shear durability and a streamlined shape for the dispersion of
pressure.
Figure 1 shows the structure and size of a standard hand hole suitable for most adults. The shape and size
depend on a number of factors such as the characteristics and the weight of the product and may be subject
to negotiation
...