DEAS 984 -2: 2021 
ICS 55.040  
 
© EA C 2021                                                                                                                          First Edition 2021  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  
Packaging ancillary materials — Specification ― Part 2: Double -
sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes  
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY  
 
 
 DEAS 984 -2: 2021  
ii © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
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 DEAS 984 -2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Foreword  
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
The Community has established an East African Standards Committee  (EASC)  mandated to develop and 
issue East African Standards  (EAS) . The Commit tee is composed of representatives of the National 
Standards Bodies in Partner States, together with the representatives from the public and private sector 
organizations  in the community .  
East African Standards are developed through  Technical Committees t hat are representative of key 
stakeholders including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties. 
Draft East African Standards are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the 
Partner States . The comments received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in 
accordance with the Principles and procedures for development of East African  Standards.  
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technologic al advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
The committee responsible  for this document is Technical Committee EASC/TC 066, Packaging . 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be subject of patent 
rights. EAC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
 DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 984 -2:2021 
 
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  1 
 Packaging ancillary materials — Specification ― Part 2 : Double -
sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes  
1 Scope  
This Draft East African Standard specifies the requirements, methods of sampling and test for double -sided 
pressure sensitive adhesive tapes used  in packaging.  
This standard does not apply to tapes with adhesives on one surface.  
2 Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For da ted references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
ISO 29862, Self adhesive tapes — Determination of peel adhesion properties  
ISO 29863, Self adhesive ta pes — Measurement of static shear adhesion  
ISO 11093 -4, Paper and board — Testing of cores — Part 4: Measurement of dimensions  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain termin ological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/  
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp   
3 Terms and definitions  
3.1 
ancillary materials  
materials associated with packaging operations but are not intended to be part of the final product. These 
include but not limited to desiccants, staple pins, adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesive tapes,  straps and 
pack aging machinery  
3.2 
adhesive  
substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment  DEAS 984 -2:2021  
2 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 3.3 
pressure sensitive adhesive tape  
adhesive tape which in a dry state is permanently tacky at room temperature and adheres readily to surfaces 
upon applica tion of pressure  
3.4 
open side(adhesive)  
surface of the adhesive which is open which is exposed on normal unwinding or separation  
3.5 
blocking desired adhesion between touching layers of the material  
3.6 
carrier  
base material on both surfaces of which a pr essure sensitive adhesive is applied, to produce double sided 
tape 
3.7 
conditioning  
process of subjecting material to specific temperature and relative humidity conditions for stipulated period of 
time 
3.8 
double sided tape  
 tape which has two available pr essure adhesive coated surfaces  
3.9 
legging  
occurrence on separation of strings or filaments of adhesive between the adhesive layer and the substrate to 
which it has been applied or release liner  
3.10 
pre release  
unwanted separation of a tape from its rele ase liner during unwinding  
3.11 
release liner removable material which protects the adhesive face or faces  
3.12 
open side (release liner)  
 surface of a release liner which is exposed on normal unwinding or separation  
3.13 
closed side (release liner)  
surfac e of a release liner which normally remains in contact with the adhesive on unwinding  
3.14 
substrate  
 surface to which the pressure sensitive tape is applied  
3.15 
tack 
property of the pressure sensitive adhesive tape that causes a bond, with measurable sep aration force, the 
instant the adhesive tape touches the substrate and without external applied pressure  
3.16 
adhesion  
state which to surfaces are held together by interfacial forces  DEAS 9 84-2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  3 
 3.17 
shear adhesion  
ability to resist forces applied in the same plane at  a tape  
3.18 
peel adhesion  
 force required to peel a strip of tape from a substrate at specified angle and speed  
3.19 
permanent (adhesive)  
adhesive that has been designed to remain permanently in a position under specified service conditions  
3.20 
transfer tape 
tape having two available pressure sensitive adhesive surfaces without need for a carrier and which may or 
may not have reinforcing fibres  
3.21 
roll length  
length of the tape forming a reel or roll  
A thermoplastic adhesive softens on heating and rever ts to its original state on cooling. Such an adhesive 
could have a poor t emperature range dependent on the softening temperature of the adhesive.  
A thermosetting adhesive softens on initial heating but  becomes firmer after further heating and remains so on  
cooling. It does not soften appreciably on subsequent reheating,  
NOTE  Adhesion to any particular surface can be significantly influenced by the choice of adhesive in use. The type of 
adhesive used on a tape can significa ntly affect its adhesion properties  particula rly at elevated temperatures.  
4 Classification  
The tapes are classified by carrie r (or base material), maximum service temperature of the substrate and the 
adhesive type.  
4.1 Classification based on the type of adhesives  
4.1.1  Typical pre ssure se nsitive adhesives used  in the manufacture of double -sided tapes shall include:  
a) natural or synt hetic  rubber -based adhesives;  
b) polyacrylate based adhesives;  and 
c) silicone compound based adhesives.  
4.2 Classification based on the m aximum service temperature of the substrate  
Based on the maximum service temperature of the substrate, tapes shall be classified as per 5.2.1.  
4.3 Class ification based on the carrier or base material  
Typical base materials include but are not limite d to the following as shown in Table 1. 
NOTE  The type of adhesive used on a tape can signif icantly affect its adhesion properties particularly at elevated 
temperatures.  
Typical pressure sensitive adhes ives employed in the manufacture of double sided tapes include:  DEAS 984 -2:2021  
4 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 a) natural or synt hetic rubber based adhesives;  
b) polyacrylate based adhesives;  and 
c) silicone compound  based adhesives.  
Adhesion to any particular surface can be significantly influenced by the choice of adhesive in use.  
Adhesives may be classified as either thermoplast ic or thermosetting adhesives. A thermoplastic adhesive 
softens on heating and reverts to its original state on cooling. Such an adhesive could have a poor 
temperature range dependent on the softening temperature of the adhesive. A thermosetting adhesive softens 
on initial he ating but  becomes firmer after further heating and remains so on cooling. It does not soften 
appreciably on subsequent reheating,  
The combinations available are considerable end advice on product suitability should be sought from the 
manufacturer.  
5 Requir ements  
5.1 General requirements  
5.1.1  Workmanship  
5.1.1.1  Double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape shall consist of a base film, coated uniformly on both 
sides with pressure sensitive adhesive composition, requiring no moisture, heat or other special preparation 
prior to application. When the tape is unrolled there shall be no tearing of the carrier and liner . 
5.1.1. 2 The double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape shall be free from defects that may affect its 
performance. The entire area of the two  sides of the tape shall have a smooth, continuous and uniform 
coating of adhesive.  
5.1.1. 3 The edges of the roll shall be neatly cut and free from fluff.  
5.1.2  Splices  
A roll of double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape shall not have more than one sp lice in 20 m and not 
more than 3 in a roll. The splices shall be so made so as not to separate when unwound from the roll . 
5.1.3  Base material  (carrier)  
Double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes shall consist of base material that resists penetration of the 
adhesive and shall be flexible to ensure folding.  
Typical base materials include but are not limited to the follow ing as shown in T able 1:  
Table 1 — The base material for double sided pressure sensitive tapes  
S/N Designation  Carrier  
i.  Solid  Woven  cloth 
Non-woven  cloth  
Paper  
Unplasticize d polyvinylchloride  
Polypropylene  DEAS 9 84-2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  5 
 S/N Designation  Carrier  
Polyes ter 
Plasticized poly vinylchlor ide 
ii.  Foamed  Neoprene  
Polyethylene  
Polyvinylchloride  
Polyester  
Polyurethane  
Acrylate  
iii.  Transfer tapes  With or witho ut reinforcing  fi bres 
 
5.1.4  Adhesive  
5.1.4.1  Adhesive used shall be homogeneous and free from solid particles so as to give a smooth finish on 
application to the base material.  
5.1.4.2  Adhesive shall emit no objectionable odour and shall not be toxic.  
5.1.4.3  Adhesive shall readily adhere to the base material and the tape shall adhere immediately and firmly 
to clean, dry surfaces without wrinkling, curling, breaking or lifting.  
5.1.4.4  Adhesive shall be such that on unwinding a roll of the tape, adjacent  layers shall show no sign of 
adhering to each other.  
5.1.5  Release liner  
The rolls of tape shall be wound with a rele ase liner which shall be made of plain or embossed plastics 
material, or double sided release paper interleaved between each successive tu rn of tape on the reel. The 
release liner shall  be easily a nd cleanly removed without tearin g, delamination or transference  of adhesive  
5.2 Specific requirements  
5.2.1  Maximum service temperature  
5.2.1.1  When tested in accordan ce with ISO 29863 the maximum  service temperature of the tape system is 
based on the shear adhesion test. The m aximum service temperature cannot exceed th e maximum service 
temperature of the carrier as listed in Annex A. 
5.2.1.2  When tested in accordance with ISO 29863, the tape shall  support a minimum load of 0.25 kg for 4 h 
at 23  °C and from the  maximum load held with a slippage of not more than 2.5 mm after 4 h at each of the six 
test temperatures, the tape shall be classified by the  numerical code obtained using T able 2.  
Table 2 — classification  
S/N Test load  
kg Test temperature  
ºC 
23 60 90 120 150 180 
i.  2.0 4 4 4 4 4 4 
ii.  1.0 3 3 3 3 3 3 DEAS 984 -2:2021  
6 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 S/N Test load  
kg Test temperature  
ºC 
23 60 90 120 150 180 
iii.  0.5 2 2 2 2 2 2 
iv.  0.25 1 1 1 1 1 1 
 
5.2.1.3  The digit corresponding to the maximum load supported at each test temperature with not greater 
than 2.5 mm slipp age after 4 h shall be written  in increasing temperature sequence to produce classifi cations 
such as those below.  
Example 1  
444331  This tape will hold a minimum of 2.0 kg at  23. 600 and 90 °C. a minimum of 1.0 kg a t 120 and 150°C 
and a mini mum of 0.25 kg at 180 °C.  
Example 2  
44433  This tape will hold a minimum of 2.0 kg at 2 3, 60 and 90°C and a minimum  of 1.0 kg at 120 and  
150°C. The tape fails to hold 0.25 kg at 180 °C, hence there is no sixth digit.  
Example 3  
31 This tape will hold a minim um of 1.0 kg at 23°C and 0.25 kg at 60 °C. The tap e fails at other temperatures  
and masses and hence is classified by only two digits.  
Example 3  
4 This tape will hold a minimum of 2.0 kg at 23°C but  fails at other temperatures and masses. It is suitable 
for room temperature (or be low) applications  only.  
Thus the higher the num erical classification (444444 max.) the better the overall shear adhesion of the tape at 
elevated temperatures.  
5.2.2  Dimensions  
5.2.2.1  Core diameter  
The nominal internal diameters  of the cores on w hich tape is wound shall be 26 mm or 38 mm or 7 6 mm when 
tested in accordance with ISO 11093  
5.2.2.2 Tolerance on width  
The tolerance  on widths shall be ± 1.0 mm for widths up to and including 19 mm and ± 1.5 mm for widths 
greater than19 mm.  
NOTE  The width o f the tape should be measured on th e roll by means of a steel rule  or ot her suitable device, 
graduated  in 0.5 mm divisions.  
5.2.2.3 Roll length  
The actual length of a roll shall be n ot less than the stated length.  DEAS 9 84-2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  7 
 5.2.2.4 Thickness  
a) Solid a nd transfer tapes : The thickness of the t ape, measured in accordance with B.2, shall be  within 
± 15 % of the declared value.  
b) Foamed tapes : The thickness  of the  tape, measured in accordance with B.3, shall be within ± 25 % of 
the decl ared value.  
5.2.2 .5 Peel adhesion  
When tested in accordance with ISO 29862, the minimum adhesion to steel of each side of a permanent tape 
shall not be less than 2N per 10mm width.  
6 Packaging  
Double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape shall be packed in materials that protec t it from contamination 
and damage during handling, storage and transportation.  
7 Marking  
The core of each roll of double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape shall be marked on the inside or on the 
edge with the following information:  
a) manufacturer’s nam e and/or trade mark;  
b) words, “double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape”;  
c) ; length and width  
d) base material;  
e) best before date; and  
f) country of origin.  
8 Labelling  
Double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape package shall be legibly and indelibly label led with the 
following information:  
a) manufacturer’s name and/or trade mark;  
b) batch/code number;  
c) words, “ Double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape”;  
d) best before date;  
e) length and width of the single -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes; and  
f) country of origin.  DEAS 984 -2:2021  
8 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 9 Sampling  
9.1 Lot 
9.1.1 In any consignment, the rolls of tape made from the same base material and one lot of adhesive and 
manufactured under the same conditions shall constitute a lot.  
9.1.2 The rolls shall be selected at random and in order to e nsure the randomness of selection, a random 
number table shall be used. In case such a table is not available, the following procedure may be adopted: 
Starting from any roll, count them in one order as 1, 2, 3, up to r and so on , where r is the integral pa rt N/n 
being the lot size and n the number of rolls to be selected. Every roll thus counted shall be withdrawn to give 
samples for test.  
9.1.3 The number of rolls to be selected from a lot shall depend upon the size of the lot and shall be in 
accordance wi th Table 2. Tests for determining the conformity of the lot to the requirements of this standard 
shall be done on each lot separately.  
Table 3 ― Sampling criteria for double -sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes  
Lot size  
N Number of rolls to be selected  
n 
Up to 100  2 
101 to 500  5 
501 to 1 000  7 
1 001 and above  10 
 DEAS 9 84-2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex A 
(informative)  
 
List of double sided pressure sensitive tapes  
Types of double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes classified by carrier and properties are given in table 
2. 
Table  4 — List of double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes  
S/N Designation  Carrier  Nominal tape 
thickness range in  
mm Maximum service 
temperature of the 
carrier in oC 
i.  Solid  Woven cloth  0.18 – 0.3 120 
Non-woven cloth  0.08 – 0.20 120 
Paper  0.10 – 0.40 120 
Unplasticized polyvinylchloride  0.08 – 0.18 60 
Polypropylene  0.08 – 0.18 90 
Polyester  0.07 – 0.35 150 
Plasticized polyvinylchloride  0.10 – 0.25 90 
ii.  Foamed  Neoprene  0.5 – 2.5 120 
Polyethylene  0.4 – 3.0 120 
Polyvinylchloride  1.0 – 3.0 90 
Polyester  0.5 – 0.25 120 
Polyurethane  0.5 – 2.5 120 
Acrylate  0.4 – 2.0 150 
iii.  Transfer tapes  With or without reinforcing  fibres  0.02 – 0.25 180 
 DEAS 984 -2:2021  
10 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Annex B 
(normative)  
 
Determination of thickness  
B.1 Principle  
Measurement of a single thickness  of a test piece is determined over a specified area and under a specified 
static load by means of a precision  micrometre.  
B.2 Solid and/or transfer tapes  
B.2.1  Apparatus  
B.2.1.1  Dead weight or digital micrometre, cap able of being read to 0.002 mm with two  ground and lapped 
concentric circul ar faces, flat within 0.001 mm a nd parallel to within 0.003 mm. The upper face  shall be 7 ±, 
mm in diameter and the lower face shall  be larger than the upper one. The upper face shall move on an axis  
central and perpendi cular to the lowe r face. The pressure exerted by the upper face on the lower one shall be 
50 ± 5 kPa.  The frame of the micrometre shall be of such rigidity that a mass of 1.5 kg ap plied to the dial 
housing, out of contact with either the dead weight or the  pressure foot spindle, shall not produce  a deflection   
greater than  0.03 mm in the micrometer dial. When checked with calibrated steel gauges, the measuring   
errors of the micrometer shall not exceed 0.005 mm. 
B.2.2  Preconditioning  
Condition  the tes t pieces by freely suspending them i n an atmosphere of 23 ± 2 ºC and 50 ± 5 % r.h for at 
least 2 h immediately before testing them. Ensure that the test rig and masses are in equilibriu m with the test  
conditions by placing  them in the oven for at  least 2 h. 
B.2.3 Preparation of test  pieces  
B.2.3.1  General  
Remove and discard the three outer turns before cutting the test pieces from the preconditioned sample roll. 
B.2.3.2  Solid tapes  
Cut five test pieces, each approximately 75 mm long from the sample roll at inte rvals of not less than 300 mm. 
Remove the release lin er and dust both sides of the tape with talc to de -tackify the adhesive.  
B.2.3.3  Non-reinforced or glass  fibre reinforced transfer tapes.  
Cut five test pieces as instructed in B.2.3.2 but do not remove t he release liner. Dust the face side with talc 
taking care when removing the excess  because  the tape is only lightly bonded to the release  liner.  
NOTE 1  Non-reinforced or glass fibre reinforced transfer tapes are dimensionally unstable when the release lin er is 
removed.  
NOTE 2  Lamination of a secondar y release liner to the exposed adhesive is liable to produce inconsistent  results due  
to entrapped air or reduction of thickness under lamination pressure.  DEAS 9 84-2:2021  
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  11 
 B.2.4  Conditioning  
Condition the test pieces as descri bed in B.2.2.  
B.2.5  Procedure  
Clean the faces of the micrometer  before making a measurement. Place the test piece between the pressure 
faces and gently lower the moving pressure foot onto the surface of the tape. Take the  readin g within 2 s to 
the nearest 0.002 mm. 
For transfer tapes , remove the test piece and clean the face of  the pressure foot thoroughly to remove 
adhesive which may have transferred to it. Remove the release liner from the test piece and determine the 
thickness of the release liner. Subtr act the thickness of the release liner from the total test piece thickness to 
give the tape thickness expres sed to the nearest 0.002 mm. 
B.2.6  Results  
Report the thickness as the median value of the  five determinations.  
B.3 Foamed tapes  
B.3.1  Apparatus  
B.3.1.1 Micrometer , as specified in B.2.1.1, except the pressure exerted by the upper face on the lower face 
shall not exceed 500 Pa. 
B.3.1.2  Polished flat stainless teel di sc, 50 mm in diameter and approximately 0.76 mm thick.  
B.3.2  Preconditioning  
Condition  the sample roll in accordance with B.2.2 . 
B.3.3  Preparation of test  pieces  
Cut and prepare five test pieces as described in B.2.3.  
B.3.4 Conditioning  
Condition the test pieces as described in B.2.2.  
B.3.5  Procedure  
Thoroughly clean the metal disc and dete rmine and record its thickness following the procedure described in 
B.2.5. Ensure that the faces of the micrometer are clean, place the test piece between the faces and carefully 
place the metal disc on the top surface of the test piece. Lower the pressure  foot gently on to the metal disc 
and take the reading within  2 s to the  nearest 0.002 mm. 
B.3.6  Results  
Report  the thickness as the median value of the five determinations less the thickness of the metal disc.  DEAS 984 -2:2021  
12 © EAC 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
BS 7116:1990, Double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes  
 DEAS 984 -2:2021    
 
© EAC 2021  – All rights reserved