ISO 12632:2015

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12632
First edition
2015-12-15
Graphic technology — Ink, paper and
labels — Requirements on hot alkali
penetration and resistance
Technologie graphique — Encres, papier et étiquettes — Exigences de
pénétrabilité et résistance aux alcalins chauds
Reference number
©
ISO 2015
© ISO 2015, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 1
3 Principle . 1
3.1 Test method for the penetration time of hot alkaline solution on labels . 1
3.2 Test method for the removal time of labels by hot alkaline solution . 2
3.3 Test method for the resistance of labels against hot alkaline solution . 2
4 Apparatus and reagents . 2
4.1 Apparatus . 2
4.2 Reagents. 2
4.3 Preparation of the thymolphthaleine containing glue . 3
5 Specimens . 3
5.1 Penetration and removal time . 3
5.2 Resistance against hot alkaline solution . 3
6 Test procedure . 3
6.1 Penetrability time of hot sodium hydroxide solution through labels . 3
6.2 Removal time of labels . 4
6.3 Resistance against hot alkaline solution . 4
7 Test report . 4
Foreword
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The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 130, Graphic technology.
iv © ISO 2015 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Bottles or other containers for beverages and soft drinks may be labeled with wet glued printed labels
of various substrates. If the bottles and containers are reused, they need to be cleaned thoroughly.
Often, bottles and containers are used for different types of drinks. This requires the removal of the
labels from the bottles and containers during the cleaning process. Usually, hot alkaline solution is
used within the cleaning facilities. To ensure the stability of the process, the penetration of the cleaning
solution through the label needs to occur rapidly. In addition, the labels need to stay intact to ease the
process of removing them from the cleaning agent. Also, no dying of the solution must occur so as to
minimize costs for the waste treatment of the cleaning solutions after neutralization. The test methods
given in this International Standard have been successfully applied in the European beverage industry
for decades and are also standardized as DIN Standards.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12632:2015(E)
Graphic technology — Ink, paper and labels —
Requirements on hot alkali penetration and resistance
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies test methods for
— penetrability and removal times of labels that have been wet glued on bottles intended to be refilled
and reused, and
— resistance of printed labels against hot alkaline solution.
Test results always deal with systems comprising of substrates, ink films and varnish films if present.
This International Standard is valid for label substrates and printed labels. Label substrates include
metalized papers. The test procedures are also valid for the evaluation of inks and papers to be used in
printing labels.
This International Standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
with its
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