Overview
EN ISO 12625-17:2021 - Tissue paper and tissue products: Determination of disintegration in water defines a laboratory method to assess how tissue papers and finished tissue products break down (disintegrate) when subjected to mechanical agitation in water. The method quantifies disintegration after controlled agitation periods (30 s, 2 min and 10 min) and expresses results gravimetrically. This European adoption of ISO 12625-17:2021 is intended for use in quality control, product development and claims related to flushability and downstream plumbing or wastewater impacts.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Assessment of disintegration in water for tissue papers and tissue products under specified mechanical agitation.
- Principle: Agitate a test piece in 600 ml deionized water using a PTFE screw-propeller impeller at 800 r/min ± 20 r/min, pour the contents through a specified sieve and determine remains by weight.
- Agitation times: Results determined after 30 seconds, 2 minutes and 10 minutes.
- Reagents & environment: Deionized water at 23 °C ± 0.5 °C with conductivity ≤ 0.25 mS/m (ISO 14487); conditioning of specimens per ISO 187.
- Apparatus highlights:
- Transparent beaker (≈98 mm internal diameter)
- Agitating device with PTFE propeller (technical details in Annex A)
- Stainless-steel sieve per ISO 3310‑2: 200 mm diameter, 12.5 mm round perforations
- Shower head specified for rinsing, drying oven (105 °C ± 2 °C), analytical balance (0.001 g)
- Sample preparation:
- Test converted products “as received” (no ply separation).
- Unconverted tissue tested as single plies unless otherwise agreed.
- Accelerated ageing (optional): e.g., heating at 80 °C ± 2 °C for 30 min to develop wet-strength agents, then reconditioning.
- Results: Percent disintegration calculated gravimetrically; precision data provided in Annex D.
Applications and users
- Product development teams evaluating tissue formulations and wet-strength agents.
- Quality control laboratories monitoring lot-to-lot consistency.
- Manufacturers and converters verifying claims about flushability and disintegration.
- Regulatory bodies, procurement specialists and wastewater utilities assessing sewer and septic compatibility.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 12625-17:2021, tissue paper disintegration, determination of disintegration in water, flushability testing, tissue products, agitation method, impeller test, wet strength, quality control.
