ISO/TS 22451:2021

Overview

ISO/TS 22451:2021 - Recycling of rare earth elements defines standardized measurement approaches for detecting and quantifying rare earth elements (REEs) in industrial waste and end‑of‑life (EoL) products. It covers materials in solid, solid–liquid mixture, and liquid forms and provides guidance on sampling, sample preparation and three primary analytical techniques used to assess REE presence and approximate content. Note: The specification warns that analyses can involve hazardous materials and equipment; users must establish appropriate safety procedures. ISO/TS 22451 is intended to be used together with ISO 22450.

Key Topics

• Scope and definitions referencing ISO 22444‑2 and ISO 22450.
• Sampling guidance:
  • Industrial processing waste and scrap - representative sampling (samples from five random points of a package).
  • EoL product handling - dismantling and demagnetization for magnets, manual disassembly for NiMH batteries and phosphors.
• Sample preparation approaches for different material states (powders, solids, slurries, liquids).
• Selection and capabilities of measurement methods:
  • X‑ray fluorescence (XRF / WDXRF/EDXRF) - simple, non‑destructive; typical detection limit ~100 ppm; line‑overlap can affect accuracy.
  • ICP‑OES (ICP‑AES) - accurate technique; typical detection limit ~1–100 ppm.
  • ICP‑MS - accurate technique; typical detection limit ~1–100 ppm.
• Limitations: precise low‑ppm quantification remains an active research area and is not fully addressed; the document focuses on presence identification and approximate content.
• Reporting: includes an example measurement report format (informative annex).

Applications

ISO/TS 22451 is practical for:

• Recycling and materials recovery operations seeking to identify REE‑bearing streams.
• Analytical and testing laboratories performing material characterization of waste and EoL products.
• Waste handlers and processors establishing acceptance criteria and verifying supplier declarations of REE content.
• Manufacturers, resource recovery planners and regulators requiring standardized measurement approaches to support inventorying, traceability and circular economy initiatives.

Who Should Use This Standard

• REE recyclers and recovery facilities
• Analytical laboratories (XRF, ICP‑OES, ICP‑MS operators)
• Product dismantlers (magnets, NiMH batteries, lighting phosphors)
• Environmental compliance officers, procurement and supply‑chain managers

Related Standards

• ISO 22450 - Requirements for providing information on industrial waste and EoL products
• ISO 22444‑2 - Rare earth - Vocabulary: metals and alloys
• ISO 22453 - (Referenced for mutual understanding in measurement selection)

Keywords: ISO/TS 22451:2021, rare earth elements recycling, REE measurement, XRF, ICP‑MS, ICP‑OES, sample preparation, industrial waste, end‑of‑life products.