SIST EN ISO 11890-2:2020 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 11890-2:2020 - "Paints and varnishes - Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and/or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) content - Part 2: Gas-chromatographic method" - is a CEN-endorsed ISO standard specifying a gas chromatographic (GC) procedure to quantify VOC and SVOC in coating materials and raw materials. The method covers concentration ranges from 0.01 % by mass up to 100 % by mass and is intended where SVOC presence can influence VOC results obtained by other methods.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applicable when expected VOC and/or SVOC > 0.01 % (mass) up to 100 %.
  • Recommended when the ISO 11890-1 result (suitable for VOC > 15 %) can be biased by SVOC.
  • For VOC < 0.1 %, the headspace method in ISO 17895 is an alternative.
  • ISO 11890-1 and ISO 17895 do not determine SVOC content.
• Analytical principle
  • Gas-chromatographic separation and quantification of volatile and semi-volatile organics after appropriate sample preparation and solvent handling.
• Essential elements
  • Sampling, sample preparation and extraction procedures.
  • GC instrumentation and method parameters (column selection, detectors) - detailed examples are given in informative annexes.
  • Multi-point calibration, use of calibration standards (CSRF, surrogate standards) and quality assurance.
  • Data processing: peak integration, compound classification (VOC vs SVOC), and calculation methods.
  • Reporting options: percentage by mass, grams per litre (with or without water/exempt compounds).
• Limitations and method artefacts
  • Some coating ingredients may thermally decompose during analysis, producing artificial VOC/SVOC signals (informative Annex B); such artefacts are not counted.
  • The method assumes volatile matter is water or organic; volatile inorganic species require separate methods.
  • Not suitable for determination of water content; organic acid/base equilibria may affect quantification.

Applications and users

• Laboratories performing regulatory compliance testing for paints and varnishes (VOC/SVOC content).
• Coating manufacturers and raw-material suppliers conducting product formulation, QA/QC and emissions profiling.
• Environmental and indoor-air specialists needing reliable VOC/SVOC characterization for product labeling, CE marking or national limits.
• R&D teams assessing solvent replacement, low-VOC formulations, and coating performance trade-offs.

Related standards

• ISO 11890-1 - VOC content by solvent evaporation (recommended for VOC > 15 % when SVOC interference is minimal).
• ISO 17895 - Headspace GC method for very low VOC levels (VOC