ISO 7683:2024

Overview

ISO 7683:2024 - "Design criteria and test methods for removable shrink labels applied to PET bottles" provides guidance for designing shrink (heat‑shrink) labels that consumers or recycling facilities can remove easily from PET bottles, and defines user‑based test methods to evaluate label removability. The standard is aimed at packaging suppliers who want to improve PET bottle recyclability by making label separation straightforward during waste collection.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Design criteria
  • Visual indications (arrows, pictograms, readable messages) to mark the starting point of separation.
  • Initiation features such as finger tabs or initiation cuts to make removal easier.
  • Label material selection to avoid negative impacts on PET recyclate and to withstand production and distribution.
  • Bottle shape considerations so the geometry does not hinder removal.
  • Perforation design: hole size, spacing, and perforated line quality (laser or precise knife) so perforations survive shrinking and distribution yet enable hand removal.
  • Additional aids (e.g., tear tape, tactile cues, notches) where removal is otherwise difficult.
• Test methods for removability
  • Samples must be representative (market‑intended label material applied to PET bottles).
  • Panel testing: at least a 10‑person panel representative of intended consumers (age/gender mix).
  • Two measured tasks:
    • Ease of identifying the starting point - count panellists who can find the start within 5 seconds; report as percentage.
    • Ease of separation - count panellists who can remove the label within 10 seconds; report as percentage.
  • Results are expressed as ratios/percentages (successful panellists ÷ total panellists × 100). The standard provides evaluation categories (e.g., “excellent”) based on these results.

Applications and who should use it

• Packaging suppliers and brand owners designing shrink labels for PET bottles to improve post‑consumer recycling.
• Label and sleeve manufacturers seeking to optimize material, perforation, and tear features.
• Bottle designers and converters who need to ensure bottle shape is compatible with removability.
• Testing laboratories and QA teams implementing user‑panel removability tests.
• Waste management and recycling facilities advising on label design to enhance sorting and reprocessing efficiency.
• Regulatory bodies and sustainability teams evaluating packaging recyclability claims.

Related standards

• ISO 21067-1, ISO 21067-2 (packaging vocabulary)
• ISO 19809 and ISO 11156 (visual/marking guidance referenced)
• ISO 18601 (terminology source)

ISO 7683:2024 helps bridge design and human factors testing so shrink labels on PET bottles are both functional and recyclable - improving consumer usability and downstream recycling outcomes.