Overview
ISO 8474:1986 specifies a standardized water immersion test for complete, filled transport packages. The test is designed principally for packages that are waterproof or intended to provide some degree of waterproofness. It is performed on the package as prepared for transport and may be used alone or as a preconditioning step in a sequence of packaging tests. The method evaluates package integrity and the ability to protect contents when completely immersed in water.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Complete, filled transport packages; intended for waterproof or partially waterproof packaging.
- Conditioning: Packages must be conditioned prior to immersion in accordance with ISO 2233 (conditioning for tests).
- Filling: Test package must be filled with the product it normally contains, or with a similar or dummy content that closely matches dimensional and physical properties.
- Immersion apparatus:
- Conditioned test enclosure to control atmospheric conditions.
- Water container large enough to immerse the package with at least 100 mm of water above the top surface.
- Immersion device (e.g., cage, lifting apparatus) allowing controlled lowering and raising.
- Rigid grid for draining and drying, allowing free air circulation under the package.
- Test conditions:
- Water temperature chosen within 5 to 40 °C, maintained within ±2 °C.
- Immersion speed and removal speed must not exceed 300 mm/min.
- Immersion time options specified: 5, 15, 30 minutes or 1, 2, 4 hours (chosen as appropriate).
- Post-immersion draining/drying exposure times: 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 hours or 1–4 weeks (predetermined).
- Reporting: Test report must include reference to ISO 8474, number of test packages, detailed package description (materials, dimensions, closures, fittings), content description, gross and net masses, conditioning parameters, immersion/drain/dry durations and temperatures, orientation during test, deviations from the method, and observations/results.
Practical applications
- Verifying waterproof performance of packaging used in maritime, inland waterway, or flood-risk transport.
- Preconditioning packages prior to further mechanical or environmental tests.
- Assessing potential water ingress and its effect on product protection, labels, markings and closure systems.
- Useful for packaging design validation, quality assurance, supplier acceptance testing, and regulatory compliance where water exposure is a risk.
- Packaging engineers and designers
- Test laboratories and quality control teams
- Manufacturers of waterproof or moisture-sensitive packaging
- Logistics and shipping departments managing transport risk
- Regulators and procurement specialists specifying packaging performance
Related standards
- ISO 2233 - Packaging - Complete, filled transport packages - Conditioning for testing (referenced for conditioning procedures).
