SIST EN ISO 15867:2003

Overview

EN ISO 15867:2003 - Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) for non-dangerous goods - Terminology is a CEN-adopted European version of ISO 15867:2003. The standard provides the basic, authoritative vocabulary for all forms of IBCs used to transport non-dangerous liquids, pastes and solids. It clarifies what is meant by an IBC (capacity limit, handling and performance characteristics) and defines common subtypes and components to ensure consistent communication across design, manufacture, testing and logistics.

Key Topics

• Scope and primary definition: An IBC is primary packaging designed to have a capacity of 3 m3 (3 000 L) or less, be mechanically handled (with or without integral/detachable devices), contain liquids/pastes/solids, and resist stresses during handling and transport as determined by tests.
  • Note: no formal lower size limit is set; <0.25 m3 (250 L) is atypical.
• Types of IBCs defined:
  • Metal IBC (steel, aluminium) - self-supporting when empty.
  • Flexible IBC (FIBC) - body made from woven fabric, plastic film or paper; collapsible when empty.
  • Rigid plastics IBC - self-supporting rigid body.
  • Composite IBC - rigid outer casing plus inner plastics receptacle; stresses taken by casing.
  • Fibreboard IBC and Wooden IBC - bodies made of fibreboard or sawn timber/panels, respectively.
• Components and accessories: Definitions for inner liner (separate tube/bag inserted into the IBC) and inner coating (coating applied to an IBC’s inner surface).
• Design considerations: Single-trip vs multi-trip, fold-down or dismantlable constructions, and the distinction between packagings and tanks are explained.

Applications

• Standardizes terminology used across packaging design, manufacturing, testing and logistics for the transport, storage, filling and discharge of non-dangerous goods.
• Useful when specifying IBC types for supply chains, procurement documents, technical drawings, testing protocols and safety data sheets for non-hazardous materials.
• Supports consistent classification in shipping documentation, procurement, and regulatory or compliance references where precise vocabulary prevents ambiguity.

Who Should Use This Standard

• Packaging engineers and IBC manufacturers
• Logistics and transport planners dealing with bulk packaging for non-dangerous goods
• Quality, compliance and procurement teams specifying IBCs
• Standards committees, technical writers and translators working on packaging vocabularies

Related Standards and Committees

• Origin: ISO/TC 122 (Packaging) - adopted by CEN/TC 261 (Packaging) as EN ISO 15867:2003.
• The standard is part of the wider family of standards and vocabularies addressing packaging and freight distribution (ICS 01.040.55; 55.020).

Keywords: EN ISO 15867:2003, Intermediate bulk containers, IBC terminology, FIBC, rigid plastics IBC, composite IBC, inner liner, inner coating, non-dangerous goods.