Overview - EN ISO 24211:2022 (Vapour products carbonyls)
EN ISO 24211:2022 specifies an analytical method for measuring selected carbonyl compounds in vapour product emissions. The standard targets formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, determining them as their 2,4‑dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH) derivatives by reversed‑phase liquid chromatography with UV or diode array detection (LC‑UV / LC‑DAD). It was prepared by ISO/TC 126 in collaboration with CEN/TC 437 and is based on established method frameworks (CORESTA CRM 96 and interlaboratory validation).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Analytes covered: formaldehyde and acetaldehyde only; other carbonyls (e.g., acrolein, crotonaldehyde) are excluded due to stability issues in evaluated e‑liquid solutions.
- Derivatization: carbonyls are converted to DNPH hydrazones prior to analysis.
- Chromatography: reversed‑phase LC separation with UV or DAD detection (LC‑UV / LC‑DAD).
- Sampling and trapping: aerosol trapping system comprises a glass fibre filter pad (aerosol collected mass, ACM) followed by an impinger to capture vapor‑phase carbonyls.
- Quantification and calibration: use of HPLC calibration standards and working solutions; procedures for preparing reagent and calibration solutions are specified.
- Reporting and data quality: expression of results, repeatability/reproducibility expectations, and requirements for a complete test report are included.
- Cross‑references: normative links to ISO 20768 (routine analytical vaping machine) and ISO 24197 (EVM/ACM definitions), ensuring consistency with vaping machine and mass‑balance procedures.
Practical applications and users
- Analytical and regulatory testing labs performing routine emissions testing of e‑cigarettes and other vapour products.
- Manufacturers and product developers evaluating thermal degradation products in e‑liquids and device emissions.
- Regulatory authorities requiring standardized reporting of selected carbonyls (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) for compliance and public health assessment.
- Research organizations conducting interlaboratory studies or method validation for vapour product emissions.
Practical outputs include reliable, comparable measurements of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in aerosols, standardized sampling (ACM/EVM), and harmonized reporting formats that support regulatory submissions and product safety assessments.
Related standards and references
- ISO 20768 - Vapour products: routine analytical vaping machine (definitions and standard conditions)
- ISO 24197 - Vapour products: determination of e‑liquid vaporised mass and aerosol collected mass (ACM/EVM)
- CORESTA CRM 96 - Basis for the method development and interlaboratory evaluation
Keywords: vapour products, carbonyls, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, DNPH, LC‑UV, LC‑DAD, aerosol emissions, EN ISO 24211:2022, vaping emissions testing.