BS ISO 7970-2021 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS ISO 7970-2021 — Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) — Specification. This document gives minimum specifications and quality requirements for common (soft) wheat intended for human consumption and for international and local trade; it is published as ISO 7970:2021 and is also available as a national/adopted text (BS ISO 7970:2021).

Abstract

ISO 7970:2021 establishes minimum specifications for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) intended for human consumption and subject to international trade. The standard covers general and health characteristics, physical and chemical characteristics (including moisture content, bulk density/hectolitre mass and α‑amylase activity), maximum levels for specified impurities and damaged grains, freedom from certain living insects and mites, and references to sampling and test methods. Informative annexes list harmful and toxic seeds and stored‑grain insects.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; also issued as BS ISO 7970:2021).
• Publication date: ISO: 5 January 2021 (edition 4); BS adoption date shown as 7 January 2021.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); available as an adopted national text through BSI (British Standards Institution) and other national bodies (title includes STB as the user-supplied national designation).
• ICS / categories: 67.060 — Cereals, pulses and derived products.
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2021).
• Number of pages: ISO text: 22 pages (approx.); BS adopted text: listed as 30 pages in the BSI-format publication.

Scope

This standard specifies minimum requirements for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) offered for human consumption and for international and local trade. It applies to common/soft wheat and sets limits and test methods for sensory, health, physical and chemical characteristics (for example: moisture, bulk density/hectolitre mass, falling number/α‑amylase activity), limits for a range of impurities and damaged grains, and requirements for freedom from listed living insects. The standard references established ISO sampling and test methods for determination of the specified characteristics.

Key topics and requirements

• Maximum moisture content: determined in accordance with ISO 712; typically not exceeding 14.5% mass fraction (note: destination or storage conditions may require lower moisture).
• Bulk density (mass per hectolitre): measured per ISO 7971 reference methods; minimum mass per hectolitre typically specified as 70 kg/hl.
• α‑Amylase activity (Hagberg falling number): referenced to ISO 3093; standard gives a minimum falling number requirement (indicative minimum values used in trade; see the standard for the exact clause).
• Maximum levels for impurities and damaged grains (typical maximums from the standard): broken grains 7.0%; wheat of decreased value 12.0%; grains attacked by pests 2.0%; unsound grains 1.0%; other cereals 3.0%; extraneous matter 2.0%; inorganic extraneous matter 0.5%; harmful/toxic matter 0.5%; individual toxic seeds and ergot 0.05%. The sum of several damaged categories is also limited (see clause for combined limits).
• Health and contaminants: wheat shall not contain added hazardous compounds; mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticide residues must comply with applicable national limits or the Codex Alimentarius where relevant.
• Freedom from pests: wheat shall be free from the living insects listed in the standard's annexes when tested by the referenced ISO insect‑detection methods.
• Sampling and test methods: sampling and testing are performed according to referenced ISO methods (examples: ISO 24333 for sampling of cereal grains in transport, ISO 712 for moisture, ISO 7971 series for bulk density, ISO 3093 for falling number, ISO 6639 parts for insect detection).
• Informative annexes: the standard includes annexes listing unacceptable stored‑grain insects and indicating harmful/toxic seeds relevant to safety and grading.

Typical use and users

Used by grain exporters and importers, commodity traders, grain merchants, quality control and testing laboratories, millers, buyers and procurement teams, contract specifiers, national regulators and standards bodies, and bodies setting trading or procurement specifications. The standard provides the basis for contract specifications, quality acceptance/rejection criteria and laboratory testing protocols for wheat shipments.

Related standards

Key referenced and related standards include ISO 712 (moisture content of cereals), the ISO 7971 series (mass per hectolitre — bulk density methods), ISO 3093 (determination of Hagberg falling number / α‑amylase activity), ISO 24333 (sampling during transport), ISO 6639 parts (methods for detection of insects in stored cereals) and ISO 6322 (guidance on moisture for storage/transport). Codex Alimentarius and national food safety regulations are also relevant for contaminant limits.

Keywords

wheat; Triticum aestivum; grain specification; moisture content; hectolitre mass; bulk density; falling number; α‑amylase; impurities; broken grains; ergot; harmful seeds; sampling; ISO 712; ISO 7971; ISO 3093; BS ISO 7970.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 7970:2021 (also published as BS ISO 7970:2021 and presented here under the title STB BS ISO 7970-2021) is an International Standard specifying minimum quality and safety requirements for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for human consumption and for trade.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sensory and health requirements, quantified physical and chemical characteristics (moisture, bulk density/hectolitre mass, α‑amylase/falling number), maximum permissible levels for specified impurities and damaged grains, freedom from listed living insects, and references to ISO sampling and test methods; it also contains informative annexes listing harmful/toxic seeds and stored‑grain insects.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Grain traders, exporters/importers, mills, purchasing and quality teams, testing laboratories, contract specifiers and national/regulatory authorities use this standard to set contract specifications, acceptance criteria and laboratory procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 7970:2021 is the current (4th) edition published in January 2021; earlier editions (2000, 2011, etc.) were withdrawn on publication of the 2021 edition. National/adopted texts (for example BS ISO 7970:2021) were published around the same date. For long‑term projects or regulatory compliance, always confirm whether a later review or amendment has been issued since 2021.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It references and sits alongside other ISO standards for cereals and cereal testing methods (for example ISO 712, ISO 7971 series, ISO 3093, ISO 24333, ISO 6639, ISO 6322). These related documents provide the referenced sampling and test methods used to verify compliance with ISO 7970.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: wheat; Triticum aestivum; specification; grain quality; moisture; hectolitre mass; falling number; impurities; ergot; harmful seeds; sampling; ISO.