EN 12766-3:2004
(Main)Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related products - Part 3: Determination and quantification of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) content by gas chromatography (GC) using an electron capture detector (ECD)
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies a method of test for the determination of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) in petroleum products and related materials by means of a specified gas chromatographic separation procedure. Following the gas chromatographic separation, quantification procedures are described for PCT Aroclor 5442, PCT Aroclor 5460 and PCBT (Ugilec 141).
This document is applicable to unused, used and treated (e.g. dechlorinated) petroleum products including synthetic lubricating oils, to petroleum products and synthetic lubricating oils suitably recovered from other materials (e.g. from waste materials) and to mixtures of vegetable oils.
NOTE 1 This document has been developed as an extension of EN 12766 Parts 1 and 2 to provide a method of determining the total PCB content in accordance with Articles 2, 3 and 4 of EC Directive 96/59/EC [1]. The total PCB content is calculated by summation of PCB content, determined according to EN 12766-2, and PCTs and PCBTs according to this document.
The three classes of materials measured in this standard can be quantified if they occur at concentrations greater than given in Table 1.
Table 1 - Concentrations for quantification
Class of material Minimumconcentration Method applied
PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls 8 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method A)
4 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method B)
PCT 10 mg / kg (EN 12766-3)
PCBT 5 mg / kg (EN 12766-3)
Total PCB and related products a 25 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 and EN 12766-3)
a This value is only a best estimate. Real field conditions may, depending on the concentrations in the three different classes, result in other, more limited or more improved application ranges. It is the user's responsibility to demonstrate that the analysis has been performed in a valid calibrated concentration range.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 23-Nov-2004
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 19 - Petroleum products, lubricants and related products
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 19/WG 9 - Chromatographic test methods
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 23-Jul-2025
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 12766-3:2004 (CEN) specifies a standardized test method for the determination and quantification of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) in petroleum products and related materials. The method uses a defined gas chromatographic (GC) separation followed by detection with an electron capture detector (ECD). Quantification is described for PCT Aroclor 5442, PCT Aroclor 5460 and PCBT (Ugilec 141). This Part 3 extends EN 12766 Parts 1 and 2 to enable combined assessment of PCBs and related chlorinated products in accordance with EC Directive 96/59/EC.
Key topics and requirements
- Analytical technique: Gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC–ECD) using a specified separation procedure.
- Target analytes: Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT); quantification for Aroclor 5442, Aroclor 5460 and Ugilec 141.
- Scope of materials: Unused, used and treated petroleum products (including synthetic lubricating oils), recovered petroleum products from wastes, and mixtures containing vegetable oils.
- Quantification limits (minimum concentrations): concentrations above which the method applies as given in the standard:
- PCT: 10 mg/kg
- PCBT: 5 mg/kg
- (Complementary values from EN 12766-2 for PCBs: 8 mg/kg Method A, 4 mg/kg Method B; combined “total PCB and related products” ≈ 25 mg/kg as a best estimate)
- Regulatory linkage: Designed to support total PCB determinations required by Articles 2–4 of EC Directive 96/59/EC by summing PCB (EN 12766‑2) and PCT/PCBT (EN 12766‑3) results.
- User responsibility: Laboratories must demonstrate analyses are carried out within a valid calibrated concentration range; field conditions can affect applicable ranges.
Applications
- Environmental and regulatory testing: Compliance testing for PCB-related contaminant limits under EC directives and national regulations.
- Waste management & recycling: Screening and quantification of PCT/PCBT in recovered oils before re-use, disposal or treatment.
- Industrial quality control: Monitoring lubricants, industrial oils and feedstocks for chlorinated contaminant content.
- Contract testing laboratories: Routine analysis for clients in petrochemical, lubricant manufacture, waste treatment and environmental consultancy sectors.
Related standards
- EN 12766-1 and EN 12766-2 - companion methods for PCBs and broader sample handling/analysis requirements.
- EC Directive 96/59/EC - regulatory driver for total PCB and related-product determinations.
Keywords: EN 12766-3:2004, PCT, PCBT, PCB, GC–ECD, petroleum products, used oils, Aroclor 5442, Aroclor 5460, Ugilec 141, CEN, EC Directive 96/59/EC.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 50019:1994 - Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - Increased safety 'e' - Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 22-Dec-2008
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12766-3:2004 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related products - Part 3: Determination and quantification of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) content by gas chromatography (GC) using an electron capture detector (ECD)". This standard covers: This document specifies a method of test for the determination of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) in petroleum products and related materials by means of a specified gas chromatographic separation procedure. Following the gas chromatographic separation, quantification procedures are described for PCT Aroclor 5442, PCT Aroclor 5460 and PCBT (Ugilec 141). This document is applicable to unused, used and treated (e.g. dechlorinated) petroleum products including synthetic lubricating oils, to petroleum products and synthetic lubricating oils suitably recovered from other materials (e.g. from waste materials) and to mixtures of vegetable oils. NOTE 1 This document has been developed as an extension of EN 12766 Parts 1 and 2 to provide a method of determining the total PCB content in accordance with Articles 2, 3 and 4 of EC Directive 96/59/EC [1]. The total PCB content is calculated by summation of PCB content, determined according to EN 12766-2, and PCTs and PCBTs according to this document. The three classes of materials measured in this standard can be quantified if they occur at concentrations greater than given in Table 1. Table 1 - Concentrations for quantification Class of material Minimumconcentration Method applied PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls 8 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method A) 4 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method B) PCT 10 mg / kg (EN 12766-3) PCBT 5 mg / kg (EN 12766-3) Total PCB and related products a 25 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 and EN 12766-3) a This value is only a best estimate. Real field conditions may, depending on the concentrations in the three different classes, result in other, more limited or more improved application ranges. It is the user's responsibility to demonstrate that the analysis has been performed in a valid calibrated concentration range.
This document specifies a method of test for the determination of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) in petroleum products and related materials by means of a specified gas chromatographic separation procedure. Following the gas chromatographic separation, quantification procedures are described for PCT Aroclor 5442, PCT Aroclor 5460 and PCBT (Ugilec 141). This document is applicable to unused, used and treated (e.g. dechlorinated) petroleum products including synthetic lubricating oils, to petroleum products and synthetic lubricating oils suitably recovered from other materials (e.g. from waste materials) and to mixtures of vegetable oils. NOTE 1 This document has been developed as an extension of EN 12766 Parts 1 and 2 to provide a method of determining the total PCB content in accordance with Articles 2, 3 and 4 of EC Directive 96/59/EC [1]. The total PCB content is calculated by summation of PCB content, determined according to EN 12766-2, and PCTs and PCBTs according to this document. The three classes of materials measured in this standard can be quantified if they occur at concentrations greater than given in Table 1. Table 1 - Concentrations for quantification Class of material Minimumconcentration Method applied PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls 8 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method A) 4 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 - Method B) PCT 10 mg / kg (EN 12766-3) PCBT 5 mg / kg (EN 12766-3) Total PCB and related products a 25 mg / kg (EN 12766-2 and EN 12766-3) a This value is only a best estimate. Real field conditions may, depending on the concentrations in the three different classes, result in other, more limited or more improved application ranges. It is the user's responsibility to demonstrate that the analysis has been performed in a valid calibrated concentration range.
EN 12766-3:2004 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general; 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12766-3:2004 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 3696:1995, EN 12766-2:2001, EN 50019:1994, EN 12766-3:2004/AC:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12766-3:2004 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Mineralölerzeugnisse und Gebrauchtöle - Bestimmung von PCBs und verwandten Produkten - Teil 3: Bestimmung und Berechnung der Gehalte von polychlorierten Terphenylen (PCT) und polychlorierten Benzyltoluolen (PCBT) mittels Gaschromatographie unter Verwendung eines Elektroneneinfang-detektors (ECD)Produits pétroliers et huiles usagées - Détermination des PCB et produits connexes - Partie 3: Détermination et quantification des polychloroterphényles (PCT) et des polychlorobenzyltoluenes (PCBT) par chromatographie en phase gazeuse (CPG) avec utilisation d'un détecteur a capture d'électrons (DCE)Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related products - Part 3: Determination and quantification of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT)
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