ISO 19984-1:2017

Overview

ISO 19984-1:2017 specifies general principles and calculation methods for determining the biobased content of rubber and rubber products (including polyurethanes) using the compound formulation. The standard defines how to quantify biobased content either by mass or by carbon mass, based on the mass or carbon fraction of each constituent in a rubber compound. ISO 19984-1 supports consistency and transparency in reporting the contribution of biomass-derived materials in elastomer products.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: Clear definitions for terms such as biobased content, biobased carbon content, biobased mass content, biomass, biobased synthetic rubber, and fossil-based synthetic rubber.
• Identification indices: Three indices required to determine approach:
  • (a) Compound formulation
  • (b) Chemical composition of each constituent
  • (c) Origin of raw materials
• Condition levels (1–3):
  • Level 1: All indices available → calculate biobased content directly from formulation.
  • Level 2: Formulation available but composition/origin partially missing → determine missing biobased values (e.g., via ISO 19984-2 or ISO 19984-3) and then calculate.
  • Level 3: No information available → use analytical methods (ISO 19984-2/3) to determine content.
• Calculation methods: Procedures to compute:
  • Biobased mass content - percent of product mass derived from biomass.
  • Biobased carbon content - percent of total carbon atoms derived from biomass.
• Analytical basis: Distinction between mass- and carbon-based expressions; radiocarbon (C-14) measurement principles (see ISO 19984-2) explain how biobased carbon is identified due to modern biomass containing detectable C-14 while fossil carbon does not.

Practical applications and users

ISO 19984-1 is designed for practical use in:

• Rubber and elastomer manufacturers calculating and reporting biobased content for product development and sustainability claims.
• Material suppliers documenting the biobased fraction of ingredients.
• Testing laboratories applying calculation-based approaches when formulation data are provided.
• Procurement, regulatory and sustainability teams verifying percent biobased content for eco-labeling, reporting, and green procurement.
• Product designers and R&D teams assessing substitute materials and life-cycle impacts.

Using ISO 19984-1 helps organizations quantify their reduction in reliance on fossil resources and supports consistent communication of biobased content in rubber products.

Related Standards (if applicable)

• ISO 19984-2 - Biobased carbon content: radiocarbon (C-14) analysis methods.
• ISO 19984-3 - Biobased mass content: separation procedures and compositional analysis.
• ISO 1382 - Rubber - Vocabulary (terms referenced).

Keywords: ISO 19984-1:2017, biobased content, rubber, biobased carbon content, biobased mass content, compound formulation, radiocarbon analysis, sustainable rubber.