EN 16067:2011

Overview

EN 16067:2011 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies the dimensions and technical requirements for the 26.7 mm PET screw finish designed primarily for rigid plastic containers. This specific finish features three thread starts with a 9.00 mm lead and a height of 16.80 mm. It is tailored for flat waters and non-carbonated beverages, allowing for aseptic filling processes and nitrogen introduction during filling.

The finish is engineered exclusively to accommodate tamper-evident plastic closures, ensuring product safety and consumer confidence. Upon first opening, the tamper evident band separates cleanly from the closure shell, either detaching entirely or remaining attached depending on bottle type (one-way or returnable bottles).

Key Topics

• Finish Dimensions and Design

  • Diameter: 26.7 mm with 3 thread starts spaced 120° apart
  • Thread lead: 9.00 mm (distance traveled per turn)
  • Height: 16.80 mm
  • Precise tolerances for radii and diameters to ensure optimal closure fit

• Material and Weight

  • The finish has a prescribed weight of approximately 3.38 g, based on a density of 1.335, critical for consistent manufacturing and performance.

• Tamper Evidence

  • Designed to work solely with tamper-evident closures where the tamper band either remains attached or separates depending on bottle reusability. This mechanism improves consumer safety and product integrity.

• Sealing and Leak Prevention

  • The finish acts as a top, side, and inside seal surface.
  • Surfaces must be smooth, free from defects or continuous flashes beyond 0.13 mm in width to prevent leaks.
  • Specific criteria regulate permissible deviations, such as out-of-parallel sealing surface tolerances and thread alignment.

• Aseptic and Nitrogen Filling Compatibility

  • Suitable for aseptic filling processes and bottling operations that introduce nitrogen to extend product shelf life and maintain quality.

• Environmental Suitability

  • Can be used for a range of beverages including flat waters and non-carbonated drinks, with conditions for slight carbonation checked by the bottler.

Applications

EN 16067:2011 is highly relevant for manufacturers, bottlers, and packaging designers involved in:

• Beverage Packaging Industry

  • Production of PET bottles for bottled water, juice, and other non-carbonated beverages.
  • Ensuring hygienic aseptic packaging suitable for extended shelf life products.

• Closure and Cap Manufacturers

  • Designing tamper-evident closures that meet the size and functional requirements of the 26.7 mm PET finish.
  • Developing closures that provide reliable sealing and consumer-friendly tamper evidence.

• Quality and Compliance Assurance

  • Ensuring that container finishes conform with dimensional tolerances to optimize closure fit and prevent leakage.
  • Implementing standards compliance for regulatory and market acceptance across European markets.

• Sustainable Packaging Solutions

  • Supporting returnable bottle markets by maintaining closure functionality with tamper bands that remain attached for reuse.

Related Standards

• CE.T.I.E. Data Sheet GME 30.24
  The standard is based on this international technical data sheet detailing PET finish designs for similar applications.

• ISO Packaging Standards
  Standards related to rigid container finishes and closures that specify thread designs, sealing, and tamper evidence for various container types.

• CEN/TC 261 Packaging Standards
  EN 16067 is part of a broader portfolio of European packaging standards overseen by CEN Technical Committee 261, covering container dimensions and safety features.

Adopting EN 16067:2011 ensures standardized, high-quality, and safe PET container finishes that support modern beverage packaging needs, especially in the fast-growing bottled water and aseptic beverage sectors. This standard facilitates interoperability across manufacturers and regions and promotes consumer trust through tamper-evident technology.