Overview
ISO 210:2023 - "Essential oils: General requirements and guidelines for packaging, conditioning and storage" - defines requirements for containers, conditioning and storage of essential oils used for food, pharmaceutical, perfumery/cosmetic, reference/test samples and industrial raw materials. This first edition (May 2023) replaces ISO/TS 210:2014 and emphasizes material selection, container characteristics and practical handling to avoid product alteration and ensure regulatory compliance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Container inertness and protection: Containers must not alter essential oil composition or organoleptic properties and should protect oils from external attack.
- Material recommendations by use:
- Glass: Type III (soda‑calcic) and tinted non‑actinic glass is recommended-particularly for reference and pharmaceutical samples.
- Stainless steel: Minimum ~13% chromium; other alloying elements limited to specified maxima.
- Aluminium / alloys: Aluminium ≥99% purity with strict impurity limits; anodization allowed only in specified acids (sulfuric, sulfomaleic, sulfosalicilic, oxalic, phosphoric) and followed by controlled post‑treatments.
- Tin: High‑purity tin (≈97% min) with limits on lead and arsenic.
- Copper, zinc, galvanized iron: Generally not recommended for direct contact except during distillation.
- Polymers / varnishes: Require prior compatibility testing; subject to migration limits set by applicable regulations (e.g., global migration limits such as 60 mg/kg or 10 mg/dm, depending on shape/dimensions).
- Ceramic/enamel coatings: Subject to limits for lead and cadmium release per national/international rules.
- Pigments and colourings: If used for food or pharmaceutical containers they must meet purity and heavy‑metal limits (e.g., Lead 0.01%, Cadmium 0.01%, Mercury 0.005%, Arsenic 0.01%).
- Conditioning & storage: General guidelines for conditioning and storage to preserve quality; special cases and compatibility studies are highlighted, particularly for pharmaceutical applications.
Practical applications and users
This standard is essential for:
- Essential oil manufacturers and bottlers
- Cosmetic, perfumery and pharmaceutical formulators
- Food ingredient processors using essential oils
- Laboratory managers handling reference/test samples
- Packaging designers and material suppliers
- Regulatory and quality assurance teams ensuring compliance with food contact and pharmaceutical packaging rules
Using ISO 210:2023 helps minimize chemical interactions, preserve aroma and activity, meet international trade expectations, and support regulatory submissions.
Related standards and references
- Replaces ISO/TS 210:2014 (first edition ISO 210:2023)
- Refers to applicable Pharmacopoeia requirements (European, USP, JP) and national/international food contact and packaging regulations
- Prepared by ISO/TC 54 (Essential oils)
Keywords: ISO 210:2023, essential oils packaging, essential oils storage, container materials, food contact materials, pharmaceutical packaging, tinted non‑actinic glass, polymers migration limits.