The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has adopted and approved as Philippine National Standards (PNS) the standards of the ASTM International on test methods for plastic film which will serve as reference test methods for evaluating the performance of plastic bags for disposing biohazardous medical waste. The adoption is a timely contribution of the DTI-BPS as the country battles with the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic which has been causing massive influx in hospital admissions worldwide. The new PNS are as follows:

  1. PNS ASTM D1709:2020 Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film by the Free-Falling Dart Method (ASTM published 2016) ICS: 83.140.10
  1. PNS ASTM D1922:2020 Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method (ASTM published 2015, reapproved 2020) ICS: 83.140.10

 The test methods provided under PNS ASTM D1709:2020 cover the determination of the energy that causes plastic film to fail under specified conditions of impact of a free-falling dart. While the test method under PNS ASTM D1922:2020 is widely used as one index of the tearing resistance of plastic film and thin sheeting used in packaging applications.

 The adoption of these standards also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) No. 3: Good Health and Well-being.

The new Philippine National Standards (PNS) are available for purchase at the BPS Standards Data Center. Please call (02) 7791.3127 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to secure your copy.

For updates and more information on Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (STRACAP) and the DTI-BPS, please visit the Standards and Conformance Portal at www.bps.dti.gov.ph and follow our social media pages. For inquiries, please email the DTI-BPS through its official email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..