ISO 3044:2020 PDF

Overview

ISO 3044:2020 - Essential oil of Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson (syn. Eucalyptus citriodora) - is an international standard that specifies the key characteristics and test methods used to assess the quality and identity of this citronellal-rich essential oil. The document is intended to facilitate consistent quality control, authentication and trade by defining physical properties, chromatographic profile requirements, sampling, and packaging/labelling guidance.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Identity and scope: Applies to essential oil obtained by steam distillation of leaves and twigs of Corymbia citriodora (Myrtaceae).
• Physical characteristics (Table 1):
  • Appearance: clear mobile liquid; colour almost colourless to greenish yellow
  • Odour: characteristic, recalling citronellal
  • Relative density at 20 °C: 0.860 – 0.880 (ISO 279)
  • Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.450 – 1.460 (ISO 280)
  • Optical rotation at 20 °C: −1° to +3° (ISO 592)
  • Miscibility: clear solution with ≤ four volumes of 70% ethanol (ISO 875)
• Chromatographic profile (normative) - gas chromatography per ISO 11024. Representative components and required ranges:
  • 1,8‑Cineole: 0.5 – 3.0%
  • neo‑Isopulegol + Isopulegol: 5.0 – 10.0%
  • Citronellal: 75.0 – 85.0%
  • Citronellol: 3.0 – 10.0%
  • Citronellyl acetate: 0.1 – 2.0%
• Sampling: Per ISO 212; minimum test sample volume 50 ml.
• Flash point: Informative mean value +78 °C (Annex B - obtained with Luchaire equipment).
• Packaging, labelling and storage: Follow ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211. Annex A provides typical chromatograms and suggested GC operating conditions.

Applications and Users

ISO 3044:2020 is used by:

• Essential oil producers and distillers for product specification and batch release
• Analytical and quality control laboratories performing GC-based authentication and composition testing
• Fragrance, flavour and aromatherapy manufacturers verifying raw material quality
• Traders, buyers and procurement teams specifying supplier requirements
• Regulatory bodies, transport and insurance services assessing safety (flash point) and labelling compliance

Practical uses include authentication to detect adulteration, specification for supply contracts, laboratory test protocols, and safety/transport documentation.

Related Standards

• ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 875 - specific test methods referenced in ISO 3044
• ISO 11024 - guidance on chromatographic profiling
• ISO 212 - sampling of essential oils
• ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211 - packaging, conditioning, labelling and marking

Keywords: ISO 3044:2020, Corymbia citriodora essential oil, Eucalyptus citriodora, essential oil quality, chromatographic profile, gas chromatography, flash point, sampling, refractive index, citronellal.