Overview
ISO/TR 5729:2021 provides a technical evaluation of filter paper substrates used for assessing the ignition propensity of cigarettes according to ISO 12863. The report compiles measured physical parameters, proposes acceptable specification ranges, and documents collaborative studies (laboratory intercomparisons and CORESTA-supported testing) that validate substrate performance relative to the reference Whatman No. 2 paper.
Key topics and requirements
- Purpose: define and evaluate physical parameters that substrate papers should meet so that cigarette ignition propensity (IP) results are statistically consistent and reproducible.
- Core substrate parameters reviewed:
- Proposed specification ranges (selected from statistical evaluation):
- Weight (15 conditioned sheets): 26.1 ± 0.5 g (ISO 12863)
- Weight (15 dried sheets): 24.7 ± 0.5 g (ISO 536)
- Air permeability (Gurley): 20 ± 8 s (ISO 5636-5)
- Roughness: 2 000 ± 500 ml/min (ISO 8791-2)
- Thickness: 190 ± 20 μm (ISO 534)
- Statistical methods emphasized: mean ± 3 standard deviation, ANOVA, residual analysis and control charts to detect inter-laboratory variation and outliers.
- Approach: conservative-retain multiple parameters to ensure substrate papers manufactured at scale produce IP results indistinguishable from the established Whatman No. 2 baseline.
Applications and users
- Practical use: selection, specification and quality control of filter papers used as substrates for cigarette ignition propensity testing (ISO 12863).
- Primary users:
- Tobacco testing laboratories performing ISO 12863 IP tests
- Filter paper manufacturers specifying product tolerances for IP substrates
- Regulatory bodies and standards committees concerned with cigarette fire safety
- Research organizations and inter-laboratory study organizers (e.g., CORESTA participants)
- Benefits: improved repeatability and reproducibility of IP testing, objective substrate acceptance criteria, and guidance for manufacturers to produce compliant papers.
Related standards
- ISO 12863 - Standard test method for assessing the ignition propensity of cigarettes (primary test method referenced)
- Measurement standards referenced for parameters:
Keywords: ISO/TR 5729:2021, filter paper substrates, ignition propensity of cigarettes, ISO 12863, substrate specifications, air permeability, surface roughness, thickness, Gurley, Whatman No. 2.