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IS 6662:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for timber species suitable for wooden packaging -. This standard classifies Indian timber species into four groups based on their properties like strength, shock resistance, and nail-holding power. It provides a comprehensive list of suitable species for manufacturing wooden packaging like boxes and crates, guiding the selection of appropriate material for the intended load and use.
! Group I and II timbers are for heavy-duty or export packaging, while Group III and IV are for general domestic packaging of lighter goods.
! Ensure moisture content of the timber does not exceed 20% at the time of fabrication to prevent warping, fungal attack, and dimensional instability.
! For international shipping, timber packaging must also comply with ISPM 15 standards, which typically requires heat treatment or fumigation to prevent the spread of pests.
ISPM 15:2019IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention), FAO
LowCurrent
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15: Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade
Defines phytosanitary treatment (e.g., heat treatment) for all wood packaging, a mandatory requirement for exports not covered by IS 6662.
ASTM D6199 - 16(2021)ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Practice for Quality of Wood Members of Containers and Pallets
Provides performance-based quality requirements by limiting defects in timber, whereas IS 6662 provides a prescriptive list of suitable species.
EN 12246:2023CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Timber for pallets and packaging - Quality requirements
Specifies quality classes for timber used in packaging based on permitted characteristics (knots, wane, etc.), a different approach to IS 6662.
BS 1133-8:2011BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumCurrent
Packaging code - Part 8: Wooden boxes, cases and crates
Gives guidance on timber selection for packaging, but in a more general way than the specific species list in IS 6662.
Key Differences
≠IS 6662 uses a prescriptive approach, listing specific Indian timber species suitable for packaging, whereas international standards like ASTM D6199 and EN 12246 are performance-based, specifying allowable defects for any timber species.
≠The Indian standard classifies timber into four suitability groups (I, II, III, IV), while international standards typically grade individual pieces of timber based on visual characteristics like knot size and slope of grain.
≠IS 6662 is regionally focused on timber species available in India. International standards are species-agnostic to be globally applicable.
≠ISPM 15 mandates specific phytosanitary treatments (Heat Treatment or Fumigation) for international trade, a requirement not detailed in IS 6662, which focuses on general durability and preservation.
Key Similarities
≈The primary objective for both IS 6662 and its international counterparts is to ensure wooden packaging is strong and durable enough to protect contents during transport and handling.
≈Both the Indian standard and international standards emphasize the importance of using seasoned or dried timber, typically recommending a moisture content below 22%, to prevent fungal decay and dimensional instability.
≈All related standards acknowledge the need to control timber defects. IS 6662 does so qualitatively ('reasonably free from defects'), while international standards provide quantitative limits.
≈Both IS 6662 (by grouping) and performance-based standards (by limiting defects) implicitly account for critical mechanical properties like strength, stiffness, and nail-holding capacity.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Approach to Material Selection
Prescriptive: Provides a list of suitable timber species classified into four groups.
Performance-based: Specifies maximum allowable defects (knots, splits, etc.) for any timber species.
ASTM D6199 / EN 12246
Moisture Content (Seasoning)
Recommended seasoning to about 20% moisture content.
Required to be ≤ 22% at time of manufacture to inhibit mould growth.
EN 12246:2023
Permissible Knots
Qualitative: 'Reasonably free from large, loose or dead knots'. No quantitative limits provided.
Quantitative: Knot diameter not to exceed a fraction of the board width (e.g., 1/4 or 1/3, depending on quality class).
ASTM D6199 - 16(2021)
Slope of Grain
Qualitative: 'Reasonably straight-grained'.
Quantitative: Specifies maximum slope, e.g., '1 in 8' (1 unit deviation over 8 units of length).
ASTM D6199 - 16(2021)
Phytosanitary Treatment for Export
Recommends general preservative treatment as per IS 401; does not specify international requirements.
Mandatory Heat Treatment (HT) to 56°C core for 30 min or Methyl Bromide (MB) fumigation, with official IPPC mark.
ISPM 15:2019
Permissible Wane (Bark/Lack of wood on edge)
Not explicitly quantified; covered under general freedom from defects.
Quantified: Wane is limited by thickness and width, e.g., 'not to exceed 1/4 of the width and 1/3 of the thickness'.
EN 12246:2023
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Maximum permissible moisture content20 %
Number of timber suitability groups4 (Group I, II, III, IV)
Basis for groupingStrength as a beam, nail/screw holding power, and shock resistance
Timber Group for heavy machineryGroup I & II
Timber Group for general domestic goodsGroup III & IV
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Grouping of Timber Species for Packaging
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Grouping
Clause 4 - Requirements
Annex A - List of Timber Species Suitable for Packaging