Overview
EN ISO 4796-1:2016 - Laboratory glassware - Bottles - Part 1: Screw-neck bottles (adopted by CEN) specifies a standardized series of screw-neck laboratory bottles for the storage and preparation of liquid and solid chemicals and microbiological growth media. The standard covers nominal capacities from 25 ml to 20 000 ml, materials, dimensions, construction, closures and marking requirements to ensure interchangeability, safe use and reproducible performance in laboratory environments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Nominal capacities: Defined series including 25 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 l, 2 l, 3.5 l, 5 l, 10 l, 15 l and 20 l. Capacity is measured to the turn of the shoulder; total capacity to neck is ≈15% greater.
- Material: Bottles shall be made of clear, colourless or amber borosilicate glass 3.3 in accordance with ISO 3585 to resist thermal and chemical stress.
- Dimensions and tolerances: Detailed dimensional tables and figures specify heights, shoulder heights, outside diameters, minimum wall thickness and internal neck diameters for each nominal capacity to ensure compatibility with closures and handling equipment.
- Design and construction: Requirements for a stable base (no rocking), smooth transitions (base/shoulder/neck radii), cylindrical (≤2 000 ml) or slightly tapered (>2 000 ml) sidewalls, even wall distribution and minimum wall thickness. Neck design includes a strengthening lip for pouring; an alternative is a clip-on anti-trip ring.
- Protective coatings: Optional plastic coatings are permitted to limit leakage if broken; coatings must withstand steam sterilization at 135 °C.
- Closures: Inert plastic closures (e.g., polypropylene) forming a liquid-tight seal; closures must be marked with maximum permitted temperature (sterilization/usage) and are limited in tightening during sterilization to allow pressure release.
- Marking and designation: Bottles must be indelibly marked with nominal capacity, maker/vendor identification and reference to ISO 4796-1; a writable area for pencil marking is recommended.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Laboratory managers and procurement officers specifying standardized screw-neck bottles for chemical storage, sample handling and media preparation.
- Manufacturers and suppliers of laboratory glassware for product design, quality control and compliance.
- Microbiology and analytical chemistry laboratories that require bottles compatible with sterilization and standardized closures.
- Regulatory and quality assurance personnel ensuring traceability, interchangeability and safe handling of reagents and cultures.
Related standards
- ISO 3585 - Borosilicate glass 3.3 - Properties (referenced for material).
- ISO 4796 series - Part 2: Conical neck bottles; Part 3: Aspirator bottles (other bottle types within the same family).
Keywords: EN ISO 4796-1:2016, laboratory glassware, screw-neck bottles, borosilicate glass, bottle dimensions, nominal capacities, closures, sterilization, ISO 3585, microbiological growth media.
