ISO 21898:2004

Overview

ISO 21898:2004 - "Packaging - Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous goods" - is an international packaging standard that defines materials, construction, design, testing, certification and marking requirements for FIBCs used to contain non-dangerous solid materials (powder, granular or paste) and lifted from above. The standard also gives guidance on safe selection and use of FIBCs.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and FIBC types: Covers single‑trip, standard‑duty reusable and heavy‑duty reusable FIBCs, and defines terms such as SWL (safe working load) and safety factor.
• Materials: Load‑bearing materials must meet documented specifications and retain at least 85% of original breaking force after 25 h immersion; materials exposed to UV must retain at least 50% of breaking force/elongation (Annex A).
• Construction & design: Requirements for seams, welding/heat‑sealing, tails and clean surfaces; designed filling height must be between 0.5 and 2.0 times the shortest horizontal dimension.
• Performance testing (type tests): Mandatory cyclic top lift and compression/stacking tests (Annexes B and C). At least three specimens per FIBC type are tested, with defined specimen selection rules.
• Test filling and conditioning: Standard test fill material properties are given (bulk density 500–900 kg/m³, mesh 3–12 mm, angle of repose 30°–35°) or actual contents may be used (limits certification to that product). Conditioning and standard lab conditions are specified.
• Certification & marking: Recommends third‑party certification (e.g., bodies following accepted operational provisions). Certificates include test references and are valid for three years. Marking requirements listed to communicate SWL, type and other essential data.
• Guidance: Informative annexes on selection, safe use and FIBC design, plus normative tests for UV, cyclic lifting and compression.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 21898 is used by:

• FIBC manufacturers for product design, production quality and documentation.
• Packaging engineers and design teams specifying containers for powders, granules and pastes.
• Quality and compliance managers seeking certification and marked SWL/safety data.
• Testing laboratories that perform type tests (ISO/IEC 17025 competence applies).
• Importers, logistics operators and end users in agriculture, food ingredients, plastics granules, minerals, construction materials and other industries handling non‑dangerous bulk solids.

Related standards

• ISO 12048 - compression/stacking tests for filled packages
• ISO 13934‑1 - tensile properties of fabrics
• ISO/IEC 17025 - competence of testing and calibration laboratories

Keywords: ISO 21898, FIBC, flexible intermediate bulk container, packaging standard, cyclic top lift test, compression stacking test, certification, SWL, FIBC materials, FIBC marking.