ISO 3140:2019

Overview

ISO 3140:2019 - Essential oil of sweet orange expressed [Citrus sinensis (L.)] defines the quality characteristics and test methods to assess expressed sweet orange essential oil. The standard helps producers, quality-control laboratories and purchasers verify identity, purity and safety of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) oil used in flavours, fragrances and aromatherapy.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard sets physical, chemical and chromatographic requirements and references applicable test methods:

• Scope: Characteristics to facilitate quality assessment of expressed sweet orange essential oil.
• Physical/optic parameters:
  • Relative density (20 °C): 0.842 to 0.850 (ISO 279)
  • Refractive index (20 °C): 1.470 to 1.476 (ISO 280)
  • Optical rotation: +94° to +99° (ISO 592)
  • Residue on evaporation: 1.0 % to 4.0 % (ISO 4715)
• Chromatographic profile (normative): Gas chromatography per ISO 11024 is required. Representative component ranges include:
  • Limonene: 93.0–96.0% (dominant terpene)
  • Myrcene: 1.5–3.5%
  • Minor components such as α‑pinene, β‑pinene, sabinene, n‑octanal, n‑nonanal, n‑dec anal, linalool, valencene, geranial and β‑sinensal with specified minimum/maximum percentages (see Table 2 of ISO 3140:2019).
  • Note: The chromatographic profile is normative (mandatory) for conformity.
• Flashpoint (informative): Mean value reported +43 °C (obtained with Luchaire apparatus) - used for safety, transport and insurance guidance (see Annex B).
• Sampling and handling: Sampling per ISO 212, minimum test sample 25 mL. Packaging, labelling and storage follow ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211.

Applications and users

ISO 3140:2019 is used by:

• Essential oil producers and packers for batch specification and release testing.
• Analytical and quality-control laboratories performing gas chromatography and physicochemical tests.
• Flavor, fragrance and cosmetic manufacturers ensuring raw material authenticity and compliance.
• Regulatory authorities, customs and procurement teams verifying product identity.
• Transport, safety and insurance professionals assessing flammability and handling risks.

Practical benefits include improved consistency, adulteration detection, supply-chain traceability and safer transport of sweet orange essential oil.

Related standards

Normative and informative references include:

• ISO/TS 210, ISO/TS 211 (packaging, labelling, storage)
• ISO 212 (sampling)
• ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 4715 (test methods)
• ISO 11024 series (chromatographic profiles)
• ISO/TR 11018 (flashpoint guidance)

For full test procedures, component tables and legal use, obtain ISO 3140:2019 from ISO or your national standards body.