The Group Standard for FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) Officially Released, Leading a New Journey of High-Quality Development for the Industry

1.Background of Standard Formulation

With the continuous improvement of my country's industrialization level and the rising labor costs, in some fields, traditional packaging bags weighing tens of kilograms are gradually being phased out, while the use of FIBCs that can bear hundreds or even over a thousand kilograms has increased significantly, playing an important role in improving production efficiency and saving labor costs. However, the national standard GB/T10454-2000 "FIBCs" has fallen behind the pace of industry development and is unable to meet current market demands. Meanwhile, the international market has stringent standards for FIBCs. To overcome bottlenecks in industrial upgrading and promote the transformation of FIBC products from "qualified" to "high-quality" and "suitable," aligning with the needs of international trade development, relevant organizations jointly initiated the drafting of this group standard. This group standard references relevant national and industry standards, as well as advanced international standards, systematically specifying requirements for the appearance, dimensions and deviations, physical and mechanical properties, anti-aging properties, and overall performance of FIBCs. It clarifies the corresponding sample preparation and specimen conditioning, and testing methods, while also standardizing inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, and storage. It focuses on providing clear requirements and scientific testing methods for key indicators such as the basic characteristics and anti-aging properties of FIBCs, offering an authoritative basis for product design, production, inspection, and certification.

2.Interpretation of Changes in Group Standards

(I) Classification System: More in Line with Practical Application Needs

The group standard adds a classification "by usage method" (single-use, reusable), which is more in line with practical application needs. At the same time, it simplifies the shape classification, retaining only square bags and round bags, making the logic clearer and facilitating identification and management in production, procurement, and inspection.

(II) Technical Requirements: More Precise and Comprehensive, Ensuring Safe Use

2. Appearance Requirements:The group standard further refines the requirements, specifying requirements such as "no loose stripes in the woven fabric that affect use," "no bubbles or delamination in the coating," "equal length of lifting rings with a deviation ≤20mm," and "bag height not exceeding twice the minimum width/diameter." It supplements key appearance indicators such as coating quality and lifting ring consistency not covered by national standards, effectively avoiding the impact of appearance defects on safety.
3. Performance Indicators: The group standard introduces the definitions of "Safe Working Load (SWL)" and "Safety Factor (SF)," clarifying that the safety factor is "the integer quotient of the final load in the cyclic top-mounted crane test and the SWL," making the load-bearing performance requirements more quantitative, significantly reducing usage risks, and better aligning with actual load-bearing needs.
4. Dimensional Deviation: While maintaining the national standard's tolerance requirements of "diameter/side length ±2%, height ±3%", the group standard specifically specifies "lifting ring height deviation ±20mm," resolving the national standard's lack of clear requirements for lifting ring dimensions and significantly improving lifting stability.

(III) Test Methods: More Standardized, Rigorous, and More Operable

1. Test Method Integration: The group standard directly adopts industry-specific test methods for the cyclic top-lift test (SN/T 3733-2013) and top-lift test (SN/T 4788-2017).
2. Sample Quantity and Data Processing: The national standard does not clearly specify the number of samples for the base fabric and lifting straps (e.g., 5 base fabric samples), while the group standard specifies "3 samples each in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the base fabric" and "2 samples for the lifting straps," requiring the arithmetic mean to be taken, resulting in more reliable data.

(IV) Inspection Rules: More Complete and Comprehensive, Covering the Entire Production Process

1. Batching and Sampling: The group standard stipulates that "each batch shall not exceed 10,000 pieces," and formulates a sampling plan of "Special Inspection Level S-2, AQL=6.5" according to GB/T 2828, clearly defining the sample size, acceptance number, and rejection number for different batches; the national standard does not specify batch size and sampling details, making implementation more difficult.
2. Type Inspection Triggering Conditions:The group standard clarifies 5 triggering scenarios for type inspection, which is more conducive to quality control.

(V) New Core Content: Filling Gaps in National Standards and Improving the Standard System

1. Terminology and Definition System:The group standard adds 7 key terms, including "Safety Working Load (SWL)," "Safety Factor (SF)," "Coatings and Composite Materials," "Liners," "Warp Density," "Weft Density," and "Stripes," supplementing the nominal strain terminology related to material mechanical properties during fracture, filling the definition gaps in basic concepts such as material structure and load-bearing characteristics in the national standard, and unifying industry understanding.
2. Anti-aging performance requirements and test methods: The national standard did not consider the performance degradation of FIBCs after long-term use. The group standard adds anti-aging performance indicators, requiring that the maximum tensile strength and nominal strain at break of the base fabric retain ≥50% after the aging test. It also supplements weather resistance requirements for outdoor use. The anti-aging test procedure is clearly defined, specifying the use of a UVB-313 fluorescent ultraviolet lamp (wavelength 310nm, irradiance 0.71W/(m²・nm)), undergoing a cycle of "8 hours of ultraviolet irradiation + 4 hours of condensation" for ≥300 hours, in accordance with GB/T 22411-2008. The test conditions are specific and operable.
3. Marking, packaging, transportation, and storage requirements: The group standard requires each FIBC to be marked with key information such as "Safe Working Load (SWL)," "Safety Factor (SF)," "Usage Type (Disposable/Reusable)," and "Recycling Mark (if applicable)," which facilitates safe use and traceability. It also clarifies transportation and storage requirements and supplements quality protection requirements in the distribution process.
4. Detailed Testing of Overall Bag Performance: The group standard details the overall bag performance requirements according to "usage type," specifying load requirements for different types, making the requirements more targeted.

3.Significance of Standard Implementation

The development of this group standard embodies the collective efforts and consensus of major domestic FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) manufacturers, research institutes, and testing organizations. It underwent multiple rounds of discussions, experimental verification, and consultation to ensure the standard's scientific rigor, advanced nature, and operability. Its release and implementation are of great significance:

First, its scope of application is more focused. As a detailed extension of existing standards, it primarily covers sub-sectors such as high-end chemicals, food packaging, and new energy material transportation, providing customized specifications for specific needs. Second, its technical indicators are more detailed. Based on the basic requirements of national standards, it categorizes and sets key performance indicators to meet the differentiated needs of different customers for product strength. Third, it enhances industry competitiveness. By refining quality control requirements, it helps companies improve product consistency and reliability, strengthening my country's FIBC products' voice in domestic and international markets. It is important to emphasize that this standard strictly adheres to the principle of "not lower than the mandatory requirements of national standards," complementing rather than replacing them.

Industry experts stated that the newly released group standard for FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) is a prime example of the optimization and upgrading of the industry's standard system. Led by leading enterprises, the standard not only fully builds upon existing national standards but also accurately captures segmented market demands and technological innovation directions, achieving a breakthrough "from existence to excellence." It not only provides enterprises with clearer technical guidelines but also bridges the gap for collaborative development across the industry chain, effectively promoting the transformation of the FIBC industry towards high-end, green, and customized development. With the implementation of the standard, my country's FIBC industry will achieve leapfrog improvements in quality control and green development, further enhancing its competitiveness in the global market.

(Source: China Plastics Processing Industry Association Plastics Compilation Committee)