SIST EN 26599-1:1997

Overview

SIST EN 26599-1:1997, also recognized as ISO 6599-1:1983, is an essential European standard developed by CEN that specifies the conditioning procedures for testing paper sacks. Its primary focus is to ensure that empty paper sacks reach a stable equilibrium of temperature and moisture content with a defined conditioning atmosphere prior to testing. This standard outlines the conditioning atmospheres, equipment requirements, procedures, and reporting formats necessary to achieve consistent and reproducible test results on paper packaging sacks.

The standard is critical for packaging manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and testing facilities requiring accurate analysis of paper sack properties influenced by environmental factors such as humidity and temperature.

Key Topics

• Conditioning Atmospheres
  The standard defines specific atmospheres described by temperature and relative humidity. The preferred conditioning atmosphere is typically set at 23°C and 50% relative humidity, denoted as “23/50.” Alternative atmospheres like 20°C/65% RH or 27°C/65% RH are also specified depending on testing needs.

• Conditioning Procedure
  Empty paper sacks are suspended to allow free circulation of conditioned air on all surfaces. Open-mouth sacks require air to access the innermost ply surfaces. Conditioning ensures equilibrium between the sacks and the atmosphere, which is necessary because paper’s physical properties vary significantly with moisture content.

• Minimum Conditioning Period

  • Sacks without barrier plies must be conditioned for a minimum of 24 hours.
  • Sacks with one or more barrier plies require at least 7 days of conditioning.
    An extended equilibration period may be needed if the sacks are to be filled afterward, due to potential moisture changes.

• Equipment and Environment Controls
  Conditioning rooms must be equipped with automated temperature and humidity controls. Continuous monitoring with calibrated hygrometers or wet and dry bulb thermometers ensures uniform conditions. Air circulation speeds of at least 2 m/s are recommended to maintain accurate humidity levels.

• Test Reporting Requirements
  Test reports should reference EN 26599-1, specify the conditioning atmosphere used, document the conditioning duration, and note any deviations from the prescribed methods.

Applications

SIST EN 26599-1:1997 is applicable primarily to empty paper sacks, aligning with ISO 6590-1 definitions, across various industries including:

• Packaging Industry
  Ensuring paper sacks used for bulk materials, food products, or industrial goods are tested for strength, durability, and moisture-related quality under standardized conditions.

• Quality Control Laboratories
  Standardizing conditioning methodologies to produce reproducible test results, which are critical for comparative analysis and certification.

• Research and Development
  Facilitating development of new paper sack materials and barrier technologies by enabling consistent environmental conditioning before performance testing.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Supporting adherence to international packaging standards by harmonizing conditioning and testing procedures.

Related Standards

• ISO 187 – Paper and board conditioning of samples: Provides general guidance for conditioning paper and board materials for testing, referenced for material-specific conditioning.

• ISO 554 – Standard atmospheres for conditioning and/or testing: Defines standard environmental atmospheres used in materials testing.

• ISO 6590-1 – Packaging - Sacks Vocabulary and Types - Part 1: Paper sacks: Defines terminology related to paper sacks, complementing the conditioning procedures.

Summary

SIST EN 26599-1:1997 establishes a standardized method for conditioning empty paper sacks to ensure temperature and moisture equilibrium before testing. By controlling the conditioning atmosphere, equipment, and procedures, this standard plays a vital role in guaranteeing test accuracy and product reliability in packaging applications. Its integration with related ISO standards allows for harmonized approaches in packaging quality assurance globally.

Keywords: EN 26599-1, ISO 6599-1, paper sacks conditioning, packaging standards, moisture conditioning, temperature equilibrium, packaging testing, conditioning atmosphere, paper sack testing, quality control packaging