DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 1891  
First  Edition  
2019 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019   
  
Standard specification for plastic films made from low -density 
Polyethylene and Linear Low -Density Polyethylene for general 
use and packaging applications  
 DUS 1891 :2019  
ii © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2019   
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Stand ards 
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 4 333 2 50/1/2/3  
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  v 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4 Classification  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
5 Materials  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  2 
6 Physical requir ements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  3 
6.1 Classification properties:  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
6.1.1  Type  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  3 
6.1.2  Surface  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
6.1.3  Class  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  3 
6.1.4  Finish  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
6.2  Other properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
6.2.1  Tensile properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 4 
6.2.2  Heat sealability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
6.2.3  Odour  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
7 Dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  5 
7.1 Size................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  5 
7.2 Thickness tolerance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  5 
7.3 Width  tolerance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 5 
7.4 Yield tolerance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
7.5 Flatness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  5 
8 Workmanship, fini sh, and appearance  ................................ ................................ ................................  6 
8.1 Film ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  6 
8.2 Roll formation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
9 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  6 
10 Test methods  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  6 
10.1  Conditioning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
10.2  Test conditions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
10.3  Width  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
10.4  Thickness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  7 
10.5  Yield  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
10.6  Flatness  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
10.7  Density  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  7 
10.8  Coefficient of friction  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  7 
10.9  Optical  properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
10.9.1  Clarity ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  7 
10.9.2  Gloss  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
10.9.3  Haze  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
10.10  Wetting tension  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7 
10.11  Impact resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
10.12  Tensile properties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
10.13  Heat sealability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
10.14  Odor  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  8 
10.15  Tear resistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
11 Inspection and certification  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  8 DUS 1891 :2019  
iv © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 12 Packaging and package marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 8 
12.1  Packaging  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 8 
12.2  Labelling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 8 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 9 
 DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  v 
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Tr ade, Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the  WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is e stablished to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are wid ely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for  this document is Technical Committee UNBS/TC 19, Packaging and 
Packaging products  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 1891:2019  
 
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  1 
 Standard specification for plastic films made from low -density 
Polyethylene and Linear Low -Density Polyethylene for general 
use and packaging applications  
1 Scope  
1.1 This specification covers unpigmented, unsupported, low -density polyethylene and linear low -density 
polyethylene films (hereafter referred to as film or films) with densities  ranging from 0.910  g/cm3 - 0.925 g/cm3. 
Note 1  The density of a film will not necessa rily be equal to the density of a moulded  plaque from the same resin.  
Note 2  Blends of ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) with low -density polyethylene may have densities up to 0.929 g/cm3. 
1.2 This specification is applicable to homopolymer polyethylene, but is  not restricted to it. It is applicable to 
films made from polyethylene copolymers, and also applicable to films made from blends of homopolymers 
and copolymers, including ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers.  
1.3 The thickness of the films covered by this sp ecification is from 30.0 μm to 101.6 μm, inclusive. The 
maximum width of the sheet or lay flat is 3.30 m.  
1.4 This specification does not cover oriented heat -shrinkable films.  
1.5 This specification allows for the use of recycled polyethylene film or resin  as feedstock, in whole or in 
part, as long as all of the requirements of this specification are met and as long as any specific requirements 
as governed by the producer and end user are also met.  
1.6 This specification defines the levels of the various ph ysical properties from which specifications for 
specific films may be described.  
1.7 This specification covers dimensional tolerances, classifications, intrinsic quality requirements, and test 
methods. The dimensional tolerances include thickness, width, a nd length or yield. Classification defines 
types, classes, surfaces, and finishes. The intrinsic quality requirements include density, workmanship, tensile 
strength, heat sealability, and odour , as well as the classification properties for impact strength,  coefficient of 
friction, optical properties, and surface treatment. A sampling method is included.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is 
the responsibility of the user of this stan dard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and 
determine the applicability of regu latory limitations prior to use . 
2 Normative references   
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their con tent 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 4593, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determi nation of thickness by mechanical scanning  
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary   
2 © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 ISO 13468 -1, Plastics — Determination of the total luminous transmittance of transparent materials — Part 1: 
Single -beam instrument  
ISO 1183 -1, Plastics — Methods for determining the  density of non -cellular plastics — Part 1: Immersion 
method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method  
ISO 1183 -2, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non -cellular plastics — Part 2: Density gradient 
column method  
ISO 7765 -1, Plastics fi lm and sheeting — Determination of impact resistance by the free -falling dart method — 
Part 1: Staircase methods  
ISO 7765 -2, Plastics film and sheeting — Determination of impact resistance by the free -falling dart method — 
Part 2: Instrumented puncture tes t 
ISO 8295, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of the coefficients of friction  
ISO 6383 -1, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of tear resistance — Part 1: Trouser tear method  
ISO 6383 -2, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of t ear resistance — Part 2: Elmendorf method  
DUS 1892 , Test method for specular gloss of plastic films and solid plastics  
ISO 8296 , Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of wetting tension  
ISO 4591, Plastics — Film and sheeting — Determination of avera ge thickness of a sample, and average 
thickness and yield of a roll, by gravimetric techniques (gravimetric thickness)  
ISO 527 -3, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 3: Test conditions for films and sheets  
ISO 293, Plastics — Compression moulding of test specimens of thermoplastic materials  
DUS1893 , Test method for odour and taste transfer from polymeric packaging film  
DUS 1894 , Test method for seal strength of flexible barrier materials  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this doc ument, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472  apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
4 Classification  
The low -density polyethylene film is, by this specification, classified by Types 1, 2, and 3; Surfaces 1, 2, and 3; 
Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4; and Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4. These classifications are described in detail in 6.1 . 
5 Materials  
5.1 The film shall be made from an ethylene homopolymer, ethylene copolymers, or blends of 
homopolymers or copolymers, or homopolymer and copolymer, so that it meets the density and other film 
requirements listed herein.  DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  3 
 5.2 The film shall be made from resins having densities between 0.9 10 g/cm3 and 0.925 g/cm3 (910.0 kg/m3 
and 925.0 kg/m3), inclusive. This is the range of standard densities in the definition of low -density 
polyethylene. Standard density refers to the density of the material moulded to a thickness of 1.9 mm using 
procedur e in ISO 293 . 
5.3 The film shall be natural in colour (essentially colourless) . 
6 Physical requirements  
6.1 Classification properties:  
6.1.1  Type  
The dart drop impact for all thickness of film shall be as specified in Table 1 for Types 1, 2, and 3.  
Table 1 — Classification for type 
Film 
Thickness  
μm Drop Dart (g, min)A 
Type 1  Type 2  Type 3  
 38 65 105 140 
 51 85 135 175 
 76.2 125 195 245 
101.6  165 255 315 
A Impact limits for thickness not covered in 
this table will be determined by linear 
interpolation between successive values in this 
table.  
6.1.2  Surface  
The kinetic coefficient of friction shall be a s specified in Table 2 for Surfaces 1, 2, and 3 . 
Table 2 — Classification for surface  
Surface  Coefficient of friction  
1 >0.5 
2 >0.2 to 0.5  
3 0.2 or less  
6.1.3  Class  
The optical properties shall be as specified in Table 3 for Cla sses 1, 2, and 3. The optical properties of gloss 
and haze do not always correlate. The particular property of most importance for the specific application shall 
be established, and the value for this property shall then govern in case of any inconsistency . 
Table 3 — Optical properties for classes  
Class  Gloss units Haze, %  
1 30 or less  >25  
4 © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 2 >30 to 50  >10 to 25  
3 >50 to 70  >5 to 10  
4 >70 0 to 5  
6.1.4  Finish  
The surface treatment level of the film shall be as specified in Table 4  for Finishes 1, 2, 3, and 4.  
Table 4 — Classification for finish  
Finish  Wetting tension, mN/m 
(dynes/cm)  
1 32, 33, 34  
2 35, 36, 37  
3 38, 39, 40  
4 41 and over  
6.2  Other properties  
6.2.1  Tensile properties  
The tensile strength and elongation at break for all thicknesses shall be as specified in Table 5.  
Table 5 — Tensile properties  
Property  Units  Machine 
direction  Transverse 
direction  
Tensile Strength, 
min. MPa 11.7 8.3 
Tensile Elongation, 
min. % 225 350 
6.2.2  Heat sealability  
The minimum ratio of heat -seal strength to the film strength in the two principal directions shall be as specified 
in Table 6  
Table 6 — Heat sealability  A 
Finish of contact surfaces B Heat sealability , min  
2 to 2  0.60 
1 to 2  0.60 
1 to 1  0.75 
A Heat sealability is the ratio of the tensile strength of the heat -sealed specimen to t he tensile strength of the original film 
specimen.  
B Heat sealability is not applicable to films with finish greater than two; this does not infer that films with finishes greate r than two 
cannot be sealed  
6.2.3  Odour  
The odo ur level of the film shall ave rage no more than a 3.5 rating level.  DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  5 
 7 Dimensions  
7.1 Size 
The nominal thickness, width, le ngth per roll or roll diameter, yield of the film and d imension tolerances for “J -
sheeting” lip and gusset depth shall be established by mutual agreement between th e purchaser and the 
supplier.   
7.2 Thickness tolerance  
The thickness variation across the film shall be within the tolerances given in Table 7  
Table 7 — Tolerance, percent from nominal thickness  A 
Film width 
mm Across film B  tolerance  
% 
1270 or less  ±5 
>1270 to 3300  ±10 
A  Use Table 9  as the controlling table for average gage in terms of yield. For minimum gage requirements, order film specifying 
nominal gage greater than the required minimum by at least the percent tolerance set a bove.  
B  No single measurement shall differ from the nominal gage by more than the tolerance listed in this table. 
7.3 Width  tolerance  
The width shall be within the tolerances given in Table 8 . 
Table 8 — Width tolerances across sheet or layflat tubing  
Film widths  
mm Sheeting , 
mm Layflat tubing  
mm 
381 or less  –0, +4.76  –0, +4.76  
>381 to 762 –0, +6.35  –0, +9.53  
>762 to 1524  –0, +9.53  –0, +15.87  
>1524 to 3300  –0, +12.7  –0, +25.4  
7.4 Yield  tolerance  
The deviation of the actual yield from nominal yield shall be within the tolerances given in Table 9 . 
Table 9 — Deviation, actual yield from nominal yield  
  Quantity,  
kg Tolerances,  
% 
  Any one roll  ±10  
  500 or les s ±10  
  500 -1000  ±5  
  Over 1000  ±3 %  
7.5 Flatness  
The flatness of the film shall be within limits as mutually agreed upon between the buyer and the seller.   
6 © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 8 Workmanship, finish, and appearance  
8.1 Film 
The film shall have workmanship qualities confor ming to good commercial practice. The quality of film with 
regard to gels, streaks, pinholes, particles of foreign matter, scratches, wrinkles, wind chatter, undispersed 
raw materials, holes, tears, and blisters shall be mutually established by the purchas er and the supplier.  
8.2 Roll f ormation  
8.2.1  The diameter of cores upon which film is wound shall be established by mutual agreement between 
the purchaser and the supplier.  
8.2.2  Cores upon which film is wound must not be recessed at either edge of the ro ll, but shall be allowed to 
extend up to 6.35 mm beyond either edge of the roll or as established by mutual agreement between the 
purchaser and the supplier.  
8.2.3  Rolls with cores that are crushed and are not able to be mounted on the purchaser's equipmen t are to 
be considered rejects.  
8.2.4  Ridges and soft spots that result in bagginess and looseness of the unwound film are unacceptable 
and shall be rejected by the purchaser on a roll -to-roll basis if the conditions contribute to poor performance of 
the film in end -use application.  
8.2.5  The edges of the roll must be free of nicks and cuts, and the general condition of roll edges must not 
interfere with the unwinding of the rolls.  
8.2.6  The type and number of splices, flaggings of splices, or breaks (if un spliced) in rolls of more than one 
piece shall be established by mutual agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.  
9 Sampling  
9.1 Statistically based sampling plans which are appropriate for each particular product or quantity may be 
used to obtain  samples for use in determining compliance with this specification.  
9.2 For the purposes of developing supplier -purchaser specifications, a lot size generally refers to the 
number of rolls in a lot. Sampling units are those rolls selected by random numbers  from the lot. A unit sample 
is the sample of film taken from the roll. Care must be exercised in taking unit samples. Unwind and then 
discard several turns from the roll and then take more than enough sample to run all specified tests. Keep the 
sample fro m becoming soiled. Ensure that the sample is not folded or creased excessively  
10 Test methods  
10.1 Conditioning  
Condition the test specimens at 23 ± 2°C and 50 ± 10 % relative humidity for not less than 40 h prior to test in 
accordance with procedure A of  practice DUS 1881  unless otherwise specified by agreement or the relevant 
material specification. In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be ±1°C and ±5 % relative humidity.  
10.2 Test conditions  
Conduct the tests at 23 ± 2°C and 50 ± 10 % relative humidity unless otherwise specified by agreement or the 
relevant material specification. In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be ±1°C and ±5 % relative 
humidity.  DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  7 
 10.3 Width  
Measure width with a metal rule capable of measuring to an accuracy of ±1 .59 mm.  
10.4 Thickness  
Measure thickness in accordance with ISO 4593 . 
10.5 Yield  
This shall be conducted in accordance with ISO 4591 . 
10.6 Flatness  
Measure flatness using a method mutually agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier.  
10.7 Density  
The density of resins from which the film is made shall be measured in accordance with ISO 1183 -1 or test 
method ISO 1183 -2. 
10.8 Coefficient of friction  
The static and kinetic coefficients of friction shall be measured in accordance with ISO 8295 . The test shall be 
conducted film to film, in both the machine direction and transverse direction.  
10.9 Optical properties  
10.9.1  Clarity  
Measure clarity of the film by visual or instrumented means, as agreed upon between the purchaser and the 
supplier.  
10.9.2  Gloss  
Measure gloss of the film in accordance with test method DUS 1892 , using a 45° gloss head.  
10.9.3  Haze  
Measure haze in accordance with test method ISO 13468 -1. 
10.10  Wetting tension  
Measure wetting tension in accordance with test method ISO 8296 . 
10.11  Impact resistance  
Measure impact resistance in accordance with test methods ISO 7765 -1 or ISO 7765 -2. 
10.12  Tensile properties  
Measure tensile strength and elongation at break in accordance with test method ISO 527 -3.  
8 © UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  
 10.13  Heat sealability  
Measure heat seal ability in accordance with test methods DUS 1894 , test method B, dynamic load test.  
10.14  Odor  
Measure odor level in accordance with test method DUS1893 , low to moderate scale.  
10.15  Tear resistance  
Measure tear resistance in accordance with test method ISO 6383 -1 or ISO 6383 -2, as agreed upon between 
the purchaser and the supplier . 
11 Inspection and certification   
11.1 Inspection and certification of the material supplied under this specification shall be for conformance to 
the requirements specified here in. 
11.2 Lot-acceptance inspection shall be the basis on which acceptance or rejection of the lot is made. The 
lot-acceptance inspection shall consist of those tests that ensure process control during manufacture as well 
as those necessary to ensure certif ication in accordance with 11.4.  
11.3 Periodic check inspection shall consist of the tests specified for all requirements of the material under 
this specification. Inspection frequency shall be adequate to ensure that the material is certifiable in 
accorda nce with 11.4.  
11.4 Certification shall be that the material was manufactured, sampled, tested, and inspected in accordance 
with this specification and that average values meet the requirements at a confidence level of 95 %.  
11.5 A report of the test resul ts shall be furnished when requested. The report shall consist of results of the 
lot-acceptance inspection for the shipment and results of the most recent periodic -check inspection.  
12 Packaging and package marking  
12.1 Packaging  
The material shall be pack aged in a manner that protects the integrity of the film or sheeting . 
12.2 Labelling  
The film shall be supplied with a label that bears the following information:  
a) manufacturer's name  and/ or registered trade mark and address ,  
b) type,  
c) surface,  
d) class,  
e) finish (if treated, the treated side of the film shall be clearly identified), and  
f) reference number of this Uganda standard.  DUS 1891:2019  
© UNBS 2019  – All rights reserved  9 
 Bibliography  
ASTM D4635 – 16, Standard Specification for Plastic Films Made from Low -Density Polyethylene and Linear 
Low-Density Polyet hylene for General Use and Packaging Applications  
 US nnnn -n: yyyy  
© UNBS 2019 – All rights reserved  11 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certification mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjun ction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with t he 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
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Price based on nn pages  
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