ISO/IEC 28360-2:2018

Overview

ISO/IEC 28360-2:2018 defines standardized methods to determine chemical emission rates from electronic equipment not using consumables (e.g., monitors, TVs, set‑top boxes, audio units, and computers). The standard specifies procedures for testing in an Emission Test Chamber (ETC) during intended operation, covering preparation, controlled sampling or monitoring, storage and analysis of samples, calculation and reporting of emission rates for analytes such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbonyl compounds, and ozone. Results are intended for comparison within equipment classes; predicting real indoor concentrations is outside the scope.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope & EUT examples: Applies to ICT & CE devices not using consumables (LCD/CRT monitors, DVD players, desktop PCs, notebooks, audio systems, etc.).
• ETC requirements: Construction materials, air tightness, and air mixing efficiency to ensure reliable measurements.
• Test conditions: Defined operating temperature, relative humidity, air exchange rate, air velocity, and sampled airflow to standardize tests.
• EUT handling: Selection, storage, unpacking, installation, loading factor, ETC purging and background concentration measurement procedures.
• Sampling & analysis:
  • VOC measurement: Active sampling on sorbents (e.g., Tenax TA), thermal desorption and gas chromatography with MS or FID (referenced ISO 16000‑6).
  • Carbonyls: Active sampling and analysis per ISO 16000‑3.
  • Ozone: Continuous monitoring with appropriate analyzers and sampling-line requirements.
• Data processing: Calculation of emission rates from chamber concentration data and standardized reporting formats to support comparability.

Applications and Who Uses It

• Manufacturers: Validate product designs to reduce chemical emissions and demonstrate comparability within product classes.
• Independent test laboratories: Implement repeatable ETC testing protocols for certification and product claims.
• Regulators and procurement bodies: Establish evaluation criteria for indoor environmental quality related to electronic devices.
• Indoor air researchers & environmental consultants: Obtain standardized emission rate data for device-level assessments (note: translating chamber emissions to real‑room concentrations requires separate modelling).
• Quality and compliance teams: Integrate standardized testing into product development and compliance workflows.

Related Standards

• ISO 16000‑3 (carbonyls)
• ISO 16000‑6 (VOC - Tenax TA, thermal desorption, GC‑MS/FID)
• ISO 16000‑9 (emission test chamber methods)
• ISO 16017‑1 (sorbent tube sampling)
• ECMA-328 (origin of the method), ECMA‑74, EN 55013, and RAL test methods referenced for alignment

ISO/IEC 28360-2:2018 is part of the ISO/IEC 28360 series and is essential for consistent, comparable measurement of chemical emissions from non‑consumable electronic equipment.