ISO 18254-2:2018

Overview

ISO 18254-2:2018 specifies a normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC) method for the qualitative and quantitative detection of extractable alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) in textiles and textile products. The standard defines sample preparation, extraction and chromatographic separation steps and provides instrument options for detection such as NPLC/MS, NPLC/FLD, NPLC/CAD and NPLC/ELSD. The method targets APEO congeners with ethoxylate groups EO2 to EO16 and is part of the ISO 18254 series for textile APEO analysis.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and principle: Extraction of textile samples followed by NPLC separation and detection. Warning on hazardous substances and laboratory safety.
• Sample preparation & extraction:
  • Cut specimen to 5 × 5 mm pieces, homogenize and weigh 1.00 g (±0.01 g).
  • Extract with 20 ml methanol using an ultrasonic water bath at 70 °C for 60 min.
  • Filter (≤0.45 µm) into HPLC vial; optional SPE cleanup if matrix interferences occur.
• Chromatography & columns:
  • Normal phase column (hydrogen-bond adsorption) recommended for separation of congeners by ethoxylate number (e.g., 4.6 × 150 mm, 3 µm).
  • C18 short column suggested for OPEO/NPEO separation (e.g., 4.6 × 50 mm, 1.7 µm).
• Mobile phases:
  • Methanol with 0.1% formic acid and 0.01% ammonium formate.
  • Acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid.
• Standards and reagents: Examples given include OPEO (Triton® X-100) and NPEO (IGEPAL® CO-630). Analytical grade solvents (methanol, acetonitrile, acetone) and buffers (ammonium formate, formic acid) are specified.
• Quantification & calculations:
  • Congeners EO2–EO16 used for quantification.
  • Calibration curves with at least three points; correlation coefficient guidance stated (target ≥0.995; note ≥0.990 referenced).
  • Formulas provided for calculating congener contribution, individual and total APEO concentrations (mg/kg).
• Quality and reporting: Test report must reference ISO 18254-2:2018 and list method, standards, individual congener sums and any deviations.

Applications and users

• Textile testing laboratories performing regulatory compliance or supplier verification.
• Quality control teams in textile, apparel and home textiles manufacturing.
• Environmental and chemical testing labs assessing APEO content for product safety, REACH or restricted substances lists.
• R&D groups developing low-APEO formulations or alternative surfactants.

Related standards

• ISO 18254 series (other parts cover alternative analytical approaches) - consult the ISO website for the complete listing.
• Prepared by ISO/TC 38 (Textiles); users should consider related regulatory guidance for APEO restrictions.

Keywords: ISO 18254-2:2018, APEO, alkylphenol ethoxylates, NPLC, textiles, NPLC/MS, NPLC/FLD, NPLC/CAD, NPLC/ELSD, textile testing, SPE, chromatographic conditions.