| BS7272 is the International Standard for Pen Caps | | | | - The grippable surface of a plug shall not extend |
| and End Closures of Writing and Marking instruments, | | | | beyond 1mm beyond the end of the writing |
| and is the only published safety standard for end | | | | instrument and overall length must not extend more |
| closures. The first standard concerning the "Safety of | | | | than 3mms |
| End Closures" was published by the B.S.I in | | | | - An end closure must permit airflow of 8 Litres per |
| September 2000. It was revised in April 2008 and is | | | | minute at room temperature under a pressure of |
| applicable from 30th September 2009. | | | | 1.33Kilo Pascals. There are two other requirements, i.e |
| You might ask as a Promotional Pens supplier | | | | when the writing instrument has a cap, and its length |
| whether it is necessary to prepare an International | | | | is greater than its diameter, it shall meet both |
| Standard for something so seemingly benign as a pen | | | | requirements of security and airflow. Finally, the |
| cap, but, too many people have choked on pen caps | | | | manufacturer's name must be clearly identifiable on |
| and end plugs, so it makes sense to define specific | | | | the product or its packaging/documentation. |
| requirements that will enable people to keep on | | | | So, what is a force of 10 Newtons in a meaningful |
| breathing, if by some misfortune, they accidentally | | | | context? A Newton is defined as the force applied |
| inhale one. | | | | by gravity on an object about the size of an apple |
| Most manufacturers of Promotional Pens and other | | | | weighing typically 100 gms and a Kilopascal is |
| marking instruments are responsible producers and do | | | | approximately 1% of atmospheric pressure. |
| comply with the standard, but there are of course | | | | - The above standards might sound complicated but |
| suppliers from outside Western Europe who may not | | | | they are in reality applied common sense. |
| even be aware of the existence of this standard. | | | | - A 16mm plug is not sufficient to completely block |
| There are eight sections in the standard that | | | | your windpipe. |
| Importers of Writing Instruments need to be familiar | | | | - An end cap or plug must be very difficult to pull |
| with to ensure compliance. Five of the requirements | | | | out. |
| carry equal status and Pen Caps/End Closures must | | | | - If you do happen to get one wedged in your |
| conform to at least one of these, i.e size, security, | | | | windpipe, sufficient air must be able to pass to |
| inaccessibility, minimal protrusion or airflow. | | | | continue breathing. For suppliers of Promotional Pens |
| - An end closure shall not pass through a 16mm | | | | and Writing Instruments in general, this standard |
| diameter ring under its own weight. | | | | might seem unnecessary and difficult to understand |
| - The end closure shall not be removed when | | | | but BS7272 uses basic science to turn physiology into |
| subjected to a force of 50 Newtons | | | | figures and this will ultimately save lives. So, it makes |
| - When the end closure is a plug, it must be recessed | | | | good sense to check with your Promotional Pen |
| and capable of withstanding a force of 10 Newtons. | | | | suppliers that they comply with the standard. |