Overview
ISO 19332:2020 specifies quality characteristics for the essential oil of matricaria (Matricaria chamomilla L., syn. Chamomilla recutita). The standard is intended to facilitate consistent assessment of product quality for commercial, regulatory and laboratory use. It covers appearance, odour, density, chromatographic profile and supporting information such as flashpoint, sampling, packaging and labelling.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and types: Defines two commercial types - Egyptian and Hungarian - and specifies their characteristic properties.
- Physical characteristics:
- Appearance: slightly viscous, clear liquid (greenish blue to dark blue).
- Odour: characteristic of matricaria oil.
- Relative density at 20 °C (ISO 279): typical ranges given for both types (e.g., ~0.910–0.970 depending on type).
- Chromatographic profile (normative):
- Analysis by gas chromatography in accordance with the ISO 11024 series.
- Identification and proportion limits are given for representative components such as trans-β‑farnesene, α‑bisabolol, α‑bisabolol oxides A & B, α‑bisabolone oxide A, and chamazulene. The document provides minimum and maximum percentage ranges for these components for each type (Egyptian vs Hungarian).
- Annex A supplies typical chromatograms and example GC operating conditions (e.g., fused silica capillary column, temperature program, injector/detector conditions) for informational use.
- Flashpoint (informative):
- Annex B provides mean flashpoint values obtained with closed-cup equipment: Egyptian ~+104 °C, Hungarian ~+108 °C (for safety, transport and insurance considerations).
- Sampling and testing:
- Sampling to follow ISO 212; minimum test sample volume is 25 ml.
- Packaging, labelling and storage are aligned with ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 19332:2020 is used by:
- Essential oil producers and distillers for product specification and quality control.
- Analytical and QC laboratories performing GC profiling and density/flashpoint testing.
- Cosmetic, aromatherapy, pharmaceutical and flavour/fragrance manufacturers sourcing matricaria oil.
- Buyers, certifiers and regulatory bodies requiring standardized product descriptions.
- Transport, insurance and safety officers who need documented flashpoint and handling guidance.
Related standards
ISO 19332:2020 ensures reproducible quality assessment of Matricaria chamomilla essential oil by combining defined physical criteria, a normative chromatographic profile and complementary testing and handling guidance.