SIST EN 14887:2006

Overview

SIST EN 14887:2006 is a European Standard developed by CEN that defines the general requirements for the design and functionality of cork removal devices used with glass packaging. This standard specifically targets tools intended for extracting corks-both natural cork and synthetic-from wine bottles. It aims to ensure safety, efficiency, and protection of the glass bottle during cork removal. The standard is applicable across all CEN member countries and harmonizes the design criteria for cork removal devices to enhance user experience and prevent damage to bottles.

Key Topics

• Scope of Cork Removal Devices
  SIST EN 14887:2006 focuses on devices designed to extract corks from standard wine bottles. It addresses corks made from natural and synthetic materials, ensuring applicability for a variety of wine packaging.

• Material Requirements

  • No metallic part of the cork removal device may contact the inside or outside surfaces of the bottle. Contact with metal can scratch or weaken the glass, risking bottle breakage during extraction.
  • Contact points must be made of non-metallic, non-abrasive materials such as wood or plastic to prevent damage.

• Design Features

  • Devices must include a centering mechanism to ensure that the corkscrew or insertion component enters the cork vertically and centrally, preventing cork damage or slippage.
  • The cork removal device should fully extract the cork with minimal applied force, so users are not required to grip the bottle neck excessively.

• Safety Labels and Warnings

  • Devices using pumping actions or CO2 cylinders should carry warnings against their use on wine bottles with non-circular cross-sections or non-standard designs, which may not handle internal pressure safely.
  • The standard advises against using cork removal devices on pressurized bottles with wired corks, such as champagne bottles.

• User Guidance
  Included annex provides practical advice on cork removal to prevent bottle damage and ensure user safety, such as stopping attempts if the glass is damaged and avoiding incompatible bottle shapes for certain devices.

Applications

SIST EN 14887:2006 applies broadly to cork removal devices used in:

• Wine Industry – Enhances product safety by ensuring cork removal tools do not compromise bottle integrity or wine quality.
• Packaging Equipment Manufacturers – Provides design guidelines to develop safe and reliable cork extraction devices.
• Retail and Hospitality Sectors – Ensures that staff use standardized tools that minimize bottle damage and improve customer experience.
• Consumer Safety – Offers guidance to consumers for selecting and safely using cork removal devices.
• Quality Control – Aids quality assurance teams in verifying compliance of cork removal devices with safety and durability standards.

Related Standards

• CEN/TC 261 Packaging Standards – EN 14887 is part of a wider portfolio of packaging-related European standards addressing materials, design, and safety issues for containers and closure systems.
• ISO Packaging Standards – Several ISO standards cover packaging and bottling processes, complementing EN 14887 by focusing on different aspects of the wine bottling and packaging chain.
• International Technical Centre for Bottling and Packaging (CE.T.I.E.) Documentation – EN 14887 is based on CE.T.I.E. datasheet DT 25, which provides foundational technical guidelines related to bottling equipment.

By adhering to SIST EN 14887:2006, manufacturers and users of cork removal devices can ensure safety, bottle preservation, and consistency across the European market. It serves as an essential reference for improving packaging interaction, reducing breakage risks, and maintaining high standards in the glass packaging and wine industries.