ISO 19984-2:2025

Overview

ISO 19984-2:2025 establishes internationally recognized methods for determining the biobased carbon content in rubber and rubber products, including polyurethanes. Developed by ISO, this standard describes measurement techniques that focus on identifying carbon atoms of biobased origin, using radiocarbon isotope (^14C) analysis. The assessment is applicable across the rubber value chain - from raw materials and intermediates to finished products. Adopting ISO 19984-2:2025 enables stakeholders to quantify the renewable carbon fraction in their products, supporting sustainability goals and substantiating environmental claims.

Key Topics

• Biobased Carbon Determination: ISO 19984-2:2025 outlines robust measurement protocols, allowing precise quantification of biobased carbon in rubber and rubber products.
• ^14C Radiocarbon Measurement: The standard focuses on measuring the ^14C isotope to differentiate recent biobased carbon from fossil-derived carbon in samples.
• Sampling and Preparation: Offers detailed procedures for sampling rubber latex, raw materials, vulcanized rubbers, and products in accordance with related ISO sampling standards.
• Two Analytical Methods:
  • Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS): Measures isotopic ratios directly for high specificity.
  • Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC): Utilizes ^14C decay detection for quantification.
• Calculation and Reporting: Provides calculation formulas and reporting guidelines to ensure consistent, traceable results, including test method details, reference values, and outcome expression.
• Correction Factors: Advises the use of correction factors based on the year of biomass harvest, ensuring accuracy despite atmospheric ^14C fluctuations over time.
• Precision and Quality Assurance: References interlaboratory test findings and reporting practices to foster reproducibility.

Applications

Implementing ISO 19984-2:2025 delivers substantial practical value for organizations seeking to:

• Substantiate Environmental Claims: Manufacturers and suppliers can demonstrate the renewable (biobased) content in rubber goods, supporting eco-labeling and compliance with regulatory or procurement requirements.
• Product Development and Innovation: R&D teams use the standard to develop or verify new biobased or hybrid rubber compounds in tires, gloves, industrial parts, and consumer products.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Ensures reliable communication on material origins, aiding sustainability audits and responsible sourcing decisions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports conformity with environmental regulations that increasingly prioritize recycled or biobased carbon content in materials.
• Sustainability Reporting: Offers scientific backing for sustainability metrics and corporate responsibility disclosures.

Related Standards

ISO 19984-2:2025 is part of a structured series and is closely connected to other international standards that address the varied aspects of rubber sampling, test methods, and biobased content calculation:

• ISO 19984-1: Rubber and rubber products - General principles and calculation methods for biobased content using compound formulation.
• ISO 19984-3: Determination of biobased content of rubber components via chemical analysis.
• ISO 123 / ISO 124: Provide standardized sampling and total solids content determination for rubber latex.
• ISO 1795: Protocols for sampling and preparation of raw natural and synthetic rubbers.
• ISO 1382: Vocabulary of key rubber terminology.
• ISO 4661-2: Preparation methods for vulcanized rubber chemical testing.
• ISO 15528: Sampling methods for paints and raw materials, referenced for consistency.

By aligning with ISO 19984-2:2025, organizations can assure precision, comparability, and international acceptance in measuring the biobased carbon content of rubber materials, bolstering trust among stakeholders and enabling access to sustainability-driven markets.