ISO 20768:2018

Overview

ISO 20768:2018 defines parameters and standard test conditions for a routine analytical vaping machine used with vapour products (e.g., ENDS, e‑cigarettes, e‑pipes). The standard specifies the machine’s technical requirements to generate reproducible aerosol under controlled puff conditions for laboratory analysis. It does not specify the vapour product formulation, aerosol trapping/analysis methods, or how consumers actually use devices - its purpose is to standardize the machine-driven generation of aerosol for analytical testing and regulatory comparisons.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Standard puff parameters
  • Puff volume: 55 ml ± 0.6 ml measured at the machine port with a 1 000 Pa ± 50 Pa pressure drop device.
  • Puff duration: 3 s ± 0.1 s.
  • Puff period: one puff every 30 s ± 0.5 s.
  • Puff number: machine must count and record each puff and allow preset or operator termination.
• Puff profile
  • Approximately rectangular flow profile; rising/falling portions combined ≤ 10% of total volume.
  • Maximum flow rate: 18.3 ml/s ± 1.8 ml/s.
• Suction source & compensation
  • Machine must draw fixed puff volumes and maintain performance when connected to pressure drops (compensation requirement: ≤ 3 ml reduction when tested with 3 kPa).
  • Each port requires its own puff counter.
• Activation and timing
  • If product requires an activation mechanism (e.g., button), activation must be synchronized to the puff start within 0.1 s, continue for puff duration, and stop within 0.1 s after puff end.
  • Support for operator programmable pre‑heating (activation time) where specified by the product.
• Product holder and traps
  • Leak‑free, impermeable product holder required. No single product orientation mandated.
  • Machine accepts various aerosol traps; trap selection and collection efficiency are defined by the analytical method.
• Termination and clearing
  • Ability to terminate after a set number of puffs, detect end of aerosol generation (e.g., sensor), and perform one or more clearing puffs.

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO 20768:2018 is used by:

• Analytical laboratories conducting emissions testing for vapour products
• Device manufacturers during product development and quality control
• Regulatory bodies and standards organizations defining testing protocols
• Test equipment designers and calibration services Use cases include standardized emissions characterization, method development inputs, inter‑lab comparability, and meeting regulatory testing requirements. Note: machine testing is for emissions characterization and is not a direct measure of human exposure or health risk.

Related Standards

• The document contains no normative references, but notes practical guidance (e.g., ISO 3308 cigarette holder for certain cylindrical products).
• ISO 20768:2018 was prepared by ISO/TC 126 (Tobacco and tobacco products), Subcommittee SC 3 (Vape and vapour products).

Keywords: ISO 20768:2018, routine analytical vaping machine, vapour products, puff profile, puff volume, vaping machine standard, vaping emissions testing.