Introduction

The Physical Test Methods (PTM) Sub-Group is a Sub-Group of the Product Technology Study Group and was established in October 2005 under the name of Monitoring and Maintenance of Physical Test Methods (MMPTM) Sub-Group. It was renamed to its current name in April 2011. The PTM Sub-Group's revised objectives, as listed above, were approved by the Scientific Commission and the Board in June 2018. Currently, there are about 40 members in the PTM Sub-Group coming from a wide variety of fields including tobacco product manufacturers, manufacturers of components, such as filters and papers, manufacturers of machinery and testing instruments, but also research institutions.

Purpose

In the field of physical test methods, the PTM Sub-Group carries out a number of projects most of which are inter-laboratory studies on an annual or bi-annual basis, such as collaborative studies on physical parameters of cigarettes and filters, interlaboratory studies on air permeability and diffusion capacity of papers for tobacco products and round robin tests on calibration standards for air permeability, filter ventilation and pressure drop. This also includes collaborative studies to monitor and maintain CRMs.
Furthermore, the PTM Sub-Group develops CRMs and Technical Guides related to physical testing. If needed, this development work is carried out in cooperation with other Sub-Groups and Task Forces of CORESTA.
The PTM Sub-Group also understands itself as a forum for discussing the need for standardized methods in the field of physical testing, for identifying opportunities to cooperatively develop testing methods and for promoting research in areas within its objectives that are expected to be of future interest.
Of course, the PTM Sub-Group will also regularly update CRMs and Technical Guides in a systematic document review process.

Achievements

The PTM Sub-Group has developed and maintains a number of CRMs on physical test methods, such as, most recently, CRM 94 on the determination of the crush strength of flavour capsules for filters, CRM 90 on the determination of the sealing strength of pouches for smokeless tobacco products and CRM 77 on the determination of diffusion capacity of LIP cigarette papers.

These and other CRMs are often accompanied by Technical Guides, to give users practical advice on implementing CRMs in their laboratories, to document best practices and to provide an overview over available testing methods.

A large portion of published documents are Technical Reports on regular interlaboratory studies, which CORESTA members use for monitoring their own proficiency with various testing methods and for accreditation purposes.

The PTM Sub-Group normally meets twice a year in different formats such as online meetings, separate in-person meetings and meetings in connection with CORESTA events such as the CORESTA Congress or the CORESTA PSPT Conference.

Prospectives

The PTM Sub-Group will continue its work related to product testing for conventional tobacco products, with its routine work program related to testing cigarettes, filters, papers and other components of tobacco products in interlaboratory studies and will further support its members to improve their proficiency and to maintain their accreditation, particular those members running a calibration laboratory.
However, the PTM Sub-Group is also looking forward to extending its scope of work to product testing related to emerging products, such as HTPs, e-vapour products and certain oral products, in cooperation with other Sub-Groups and Task Forces in CORESTA.

Reviewed March 2024