IWA 43:2023
(Main)Glass types - Crystal glass, crystal and lead crystal - Specifications and test methods
Glass types - Crystal glass, crystal and lead crystal - Specifications and test methods
This document provides the specifications and specifies the requirements for the designation of three types of glass namely crystal glass, crystal, and lead crystal, according to their chemical composition, density and refractive index. This document also describes the test methods to measure the respective characteristics of these crystal glass types. Given the potential lead contamination concerns in crystal glass and crystal, this document additionally stipulates a maximum permissible limit for lead content. This document is applicable to the designated crystal glass types used as tableware, containers (e.g. bottles, decanters, perfume jars), giftware, home decor and any decorative components in consumer goods (e.g. glass components and/or parts used in jewellery, textile applications, and electrical and electronic equipment), furniture and luminaries. This document does not apply to crystal glass types used within the areas of construction, healthcare and laboratories, and other technical uses of glass.
Types de verres — Cristallin, cristal et cristal au plomb — Spécifications et méthodes d'essai
Le présent document fournit les spécifications et fixe les exigences pour la désignation de trois types de verres, à savoir le cristallin, le cristal et le cristal au plomb, en fonction de leur composition chimique, de leur masse volumique et de leur indice de réfraction. Le présent document décrit également les méthodes d’essai à appliquer pour mesurer les caractéristiques respectives de ces types de verres cristal. Étant donné les préoccupations existantes eu égard à la contamination potentielle par le plomb contenu dans le cristallin et le cristal, le présent document fixe, en outre, une limite maximale admissible de la teneur en plomb. Le présent document est applicable aux types de verres cristal désignés, utilisés comme vaisselle, récipients (par exemple bouteilles, carafes, flacons à parfum), articles de cadeaux, décoration intérieure et tous éléments décoratifs des produits de consommation (par exemple éléments en verre et/ou pièces utilisés en joaillerie, pour des applications sur textiles, et dans des équipements électriques et électroniques), articles d’ameublement et luminaires. Le présent document n’est pas applicable aux types de verres cristal utilisés dans les domaines de la construction, des soins de santé et des laboratoires, ni pour d’autres usages techniques du verre.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 08-Oct-2023
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TMBG - Technical Management Board - groups
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TMBG - Technical Management Board - groups
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 09-Oct-2023
- Completion Date
- 09-Oct-2023
Overview
IWA 43:2023 - "Glass types - Crystal glass, crystal and lead crystal - Specifications and test methods" (ISO) defines clear, measurable criteria for classifying three decorative glass types: crystal glass, crystal, and lead crystal. The document specifies composition, density, refractive index, and maximum lead (Pb) limits where relevant, and describes accepted test methods to verify these characteristics. It applies to consumer products such as tableware, containers, giftware, home décor, jewellery components, furniture fittings and luminaires, but excludes construction, healthcare, laboratory and other technical uses.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Classification is based on three main criteria: metal oxide composition, density, and refractive index, plus a maximum lead content for crystal glass and crystal.
- Specifications (summary from Annex A):
- Crystal glass
- Metal oxides (ZnO, BaO, K2O, SrO, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, Sb2O3) singly or together ≥ 10% (mass fraction)
- Density ≥ 2.45 g/cm3
- Refractive index nD ≥ 1.520
- Maximum Pb: 100 ppm
- Crystal
- Same oxides including CaO, singly or together ≥ 24% (mass fraction)
- Density ≥ 2.67 g/cm3
- Refractive index nD ≥ 1.535
- Maximum Pb: 500 ppm
- Lead crystal
- Lead oxide (PbO) ≥ 24% (mass fraction)
- Density ≥ 2.90 g/cm3
- Refractive index nD ≥ 1.545
- Crystal glass
- Test method highlights:
- Chemical composition: ICP‑OES (preferred in disputes; DIN 51086‑2) or XRF (DIN 51001 / ASTM E1621)
- Density: hydrostatic (buoyancy) with ±0.01 g/cm3 accuracy - ASTM C693, ASTM C729 or pycnometer
- Refractive index: measured at 589.3 nm with ±0.001 accuracy - ASTM C1648 (Abbe refractometer or prism coupler)
Applications and who uses it
- Product manufacturers and glassware designers use IWA 43:2023 to ensure correct material designation (marketing, quality control).
- Testing laboratories and quality assurance teams apply the specified methods (ICP‑OES, XRF, hydrostatic density, refractometry) to verify compliance.
- Importers, retailers and regulators rely on the standard for product classification, labelling and safety checks - especially where lead content and consumer safety are concerned.
- Useful for supply chain compliance, procurement specifications, and consumer safety documentation for tableware, bottles, decorative items and electronic/electrical components with decorative glass.
Related standards
- ASTM C693, ASTM C729 (density)
- ASTM C1648 (refractive index guidance)
- ASTM E1621 (XRF elemental analysis)
- DIN 51001, DIN 51086‑2 (XRF and ICP‑OES methods) These referenced test methods support implementation of IWA 43:2023 for reliable, comparable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
IWA 43:2023 is a standardization document published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Glass types - Crystal glass, crystal and lead crystal - Specifications and test methods". This standard covers: This document provides the specifications and specifies the requirements for the designation of three types of glass namely crystal glass, crystal, and lead crystal, according to their chemical composition, density and refractive index. This document also describes the test methods to measure the respective characteristics of these crystal glass types. Given the potential lead contamination concerns in crystal glass and crystal, this document additionally stipulates a maximum permissible limit for lead content. This document is applicable to the designated crystal glass types used as tableware, containers (e.g. bottles, decanters, perfume jars), giftware, home decor and any decorative components in consumer goods (e.g. glass components and/or parts used in jewellery, textile applications, and electrical and electronic equipment), furniture and luminaries. This document does not apply to crystal glass types used within the areas of construction, healthcare and laboratories, and other technical uses of glass.
This document provides the specifications and specifies the requirements for the designation of three types of glass namely crystal glass, crystal, and lead crystal, according to their chemical composition, density and refractive index. This document also describes the test methods to measure the respective characteristics of these crystal glass types. Given the potential lead contamination concerns in crystal glass and crystal, this document additionally stipulates a maximum permissible limit for lead content. This document is applicable to the designated crystal glass types used as tableware, containers (e.g. bottles, decanters, perfume jars), giftware, home decor and any decorative components in consumer goods (e.g. glass components and/or parts used in jewellery, textile applications, and electrical and electronic equipment), furniture and luminaries. This document does not apply to crystal glass types used within the areas of construction, healthcare and laboratories, and other technical uses of glass.
IWA 43:2023 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 81.040.01 - Glass in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL IWA
WORKSHOP 43
AGREEMENT
First edition
2023-10
Glass types — Crystal glass, crystal
and lead crystal — Specifications and
test methods
Types de verres — Cristallin, cristal et cristal au plomb —
Spécifications et méthodes d'essai
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, 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
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Specifications . 1
4.1 General . 1
4.2 Specifications for crystal glass . 2
4.3 Specifications for crystal . . 2
4.4 Specifications for lead crystal . 2
5 Test methods . 2
5.1 Chemical composition . 2
5.2 Physical determinations . 3
5.2.1 Density . 3
5.2.2 Refractive index . 3
Annex A (informative) Crystal glass types specifications . 4
Annex B (informative) Workshop contributors. 5
Bibliography . 6
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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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 document 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).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
International Workshop Agreement IWA 43 was approved at a workshop hosted by the Association
française de normalisation (Afnor), held in La Plaine Saint Denis, France, on 16 June 2023.
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
This document is intended to provide specifications and test methods for three crystal glass types
(crystal glass, crystal, lead crystal) used in consumer goods in relation to tableware, containers,
furniture, home decor, jewellery and any other decorative components in consumer goods. The purpose
is to promote a global understanding of consumer quality requirements, together with corresponding
methods to measure the specifications.
The three crystal glass types are determined based on three criteria: chemical composition, refractive
index and density. A maximum lead content criterion is added for crystal and crystal glass.
The refractive index depends on the chemical composition of glass. While lead oxide remains the most
efficient constituent to obtain a high refractive index because it favours general qualities (mass purity,
high transparency for non-coloured glass), other components such as calcium oxide, barium oxide, zinc
oxide may also contribute to a high refractive index.
v
© ISO
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