DIN 55473 Desiccants: What the labelling and variants mean

ThoMar has once again successfully passed the renewal inspection of its CertiDry desiccant sachets carried out by DIN CERTCO. This confirms, following testing and conformity assessment, that our desiccant sachets, which have been tested in accordance with DIN 55473, continue to meet the requirements of the standard. But what distinguishes desiccant sachets compliant with DIN 55473, and what do the labelling and variants mean when it comes to choosing the right one?

ThoMar desiccant sachets from the CertiDry product range have been offering quality certified to DIN 55473 since 2019. As part of the certification process and regular monitoring by DIN CERTCO, the warehouse and goods receipt areas, the QM system, documentation and records were recently independently audited, and no non-conformities were identified. For our customers, this means the assurance of desiccant bags that meet clearly defined requirements for labelling, design and performance.

DIN 55473 desiccant sachets are primarily used in industrial packaging processes and by export packers. They contain desiccant, which adsorbs and stores water vapour from the air. A prerequisite for adequate dehumidification performance is that the packaged goods and desiccant are sealed off from the external environment by a barrier layer – usually PE film or aluminium composite film. Desiccant units form the basis for calculation. A desiccant unit is the quantity of desiccant that, in equilibrium with the air at 23 °C (± 2 °C) and 40 % relative humidity, adsorbs at least 6.0 g of water vapour. This allows the bags to be classified according to their defined adsorption capacity and selected on a comparable basis.

When selecting the appropriate desiccant, please also pay attention to the labelling on the bag: in addition to the DIN test mark, the label includes the standard designation, the number of units, and the reference to the American military standard MIL-D-3464E. It is also important to choose the correct bag type. Type A refers to the low-dust version, whilst Type B refers to the dust-tight fabric version. Which type is suitable depends on the requirements for the packaged goods, product protection and the packaging process.

Choose DIN-certified quality from a German supplier: You can find further information and DIN 55473 desiccants available for immediate delivery for business customers in the ThoMar Desiccant Shop.