ASTM D6787/D6787M-24 PDF

Overview

ASTM D6787/D6787M-24 is the internationally recognized standard specification for repositionable note pads, published by ASTM International. This standard outlines the essential requirements for colored note pads, each featuring a strip of pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows individual sheets to be temporarily attached to and removed from various surfaces without damage. The specification ensures quality, performance, safety, and environmental compliance for manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers of repositionable note pads.

Key Topics

• Construction and Materials

  • Pads must consist of a minimum average of 100 sheets, with no pad containing fewer than 97 sheets.
  • Each sheet uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip that extends the full width of one edge, enabling temporary adhesion.
  • Paper quality is determined by basis weight, thickness, and absence of defects such as dirt, holes, or wrinkles. Color and formation must be uniform.

• Performance Requirements

  • Writing quality is verified with different pen types, ensuring no feathering or ink discontinuities.
  • Sheets must release cleanly without leaving adhesive residue and allow for single-sheet removal, minimizing multiple lifts.
  • Adhesive performance testing includes initial and repositioned flagging - measuring how much the sheet lifts or detaches after bending or repositioning.
  • No pulling of fibers from underlying paper after removal, confirming the gentle nature of adhesion.

• Environmental and Safety Compliance

  • Paper bleaching must be elemental chlorine free.
  • The pads must not intentionally contain toxic or hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, or hexavalent chromium, following regulatory guidelines.
  • Not intended for food contact applications.
  • Manufacturers must certify compliance with a minimum recycled content for government purchases.

• Workmanship and Appearance

  • Pads must be square-cut with clean, smooth edges.
  • The finished product must be free from visual flaws that could affect functionality or appearance.

Applications

ASTM D6787/D6787M-24 serves as a benchmark for:

• Manufacturers: Ensuring consistent production quality for repositionable note pads, meeting both commercial and environmental expectations.
• Procurement Agencies and Buyers: Specifying, ordering, and verifying repositionable notes that meet established industry standards.
• Testing Laboratories: Conducting conformity assessments on pad properties such as adhesive performance, writing quality, and environmental safety.
• Sustainability Programs: Supporting green procurement by mandating minimum recycled or recovered content and limiting harmful substances.
• Global Commerce: Facilitating trade and acceptance of repositionable note pads in international markets due to harmonized quality and safety criteria.

Related Standards

ASTM D6787/D6787M-24 references several key documents and standards, including:

• ASTM D3715/D3715M - Practice for Quality Assurance of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes
• ASTM D3951 - Practice for Commercial Packaging
• ASTM D4332 - Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• TAPPI T 410 - Grammage of Paper and Paperboard (Weight per Unit Area)
• TAPPI T 411 - Thickness (Caliper) of Paper, Paperboard, and Combined Board
• ISO 9002 - Quality Systems Model for Quality Assurance in Production and Installation
• CONEG Model Toxics Legislation - Environmental safety for packaging
• U.S. Government CID A-A-2546 - Pad, Writing Paper (Repositionable)
• 16 CFR Part 1500.3 - Definitions of Toxic and Hazardous Materials

Summary

By following ASTM D6787/D6787M-24, organizations ensure production, procurement, and use of safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible repositionable note pads. This standard provides a robust framework for quality assurance, performance validation, and regulatory compliance, supporting both industry innovation and consumer trust.