EN 14981:2006

Surface active agents - Determination of content of high boiling solvents in liquid detergents by GLC

This European Standard specifies a method for the identifying and quantifying of high boiling point solvents in finished liquid detergents and raw materials.

Grenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Gehaltes an hochsiedenden Lösemitteln in flüssigen Reinigungsmitteln durch GLC

Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur qualitativen und quantitativen Analyse von hochsiedenden
Lösemitteln in flüssigen Reinigungsmitteln und Rohstoffen fest.

Agents de surface - Détermination de la teneur en solvants à point d'ébullition élevé dans les détergents liquides par chromatographie en phase gazeuse

La présente Norme européenne décrit une méthode permettant l’identification et la détermination quantitative des solvants à point d’ébullition élevé dans les détergents liquides formulés et les matières premières.

Površinsko aktivne snovi - Določevanje topil z visokim vreliščem v tekočih detergentih s plinsko tekočinsko kromatografijo (GLC)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Oct-2006
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 276 - Surface active agents
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 276/WG 1 - Methods of analysis
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 31-Oct-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 14981:2007 - Surface active agents - Determination of content of high boiling solvents in liquid detergents by GLC

Overview

EN 14981:2006 - Surface active agents: Determination of content of high boiling solvents in liquid detergents by GLC / gas chromatography - is a CEN European Standard that defines a validated laboratory method for identifying and quantifying high‑boiling point solvents (mainly glycols and glycol ethers) in finished liquid detergents and raw materials. The method uses capillary GC with a polar stationary phase, ethanol extraction, and (-)-carvone as an internal standard.

Key Topics

• Scope and purpose: Identification and quantification of solvents with boiling points significantly above water (≈100 °C) in liquid detergent matrices.
• Analytical principle: Dissolution of sample in ethanol, separation on a polar capillary column (recommended: 30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm film of 100% polyethylene glycol), detection by flame ionization detector (FID) and quantification using carvone as internal standard.
• GC conditions: Specified oven programs for qualitative (60 °C → 240 °C at 5 °C/min) and quantitative (60 °C → 240 °C at 20 °C/min) analysis, injection (1 µl, split 100:1, 225 °C), FID at 275 °C and carrier gas (hydrogen at 50 kPa head pressure).
• Calibration and calculations: Preparation of solvent reference solutions and a stock calibration series; regression of (Area_solvent/Area_internal) vs (mass_solvent/mass_internal) to derive response factor Ki; formulae provided for result expression (g/100 g).
• Sampling and precision: Laboratory sampling per ISO 607; precision metrics include repeatability and reproducibility limits (see Annex B).
• Safety and reagents: Use analytical‑grade reagents (ethanol, carvone), PPE recommended; waste disposal per regulations.

Applications

• Quality control and batch release testing in detergent and surfactant manufacturing.
• Incoming raw‑material screening to verify solvent content in glycols and glycol ethers.
• Regulatory compliance and formulation verification where solvent content must be known or limited.
• Contract and commercial testing laboratories offering GC analysis for cleaning products, cosmetics formulators, and environmental testing where high‑boiling solvents are relevant.

Common solvent examples illustrated in the standard include ethylene glycol monoalkyl/diethers, propylene glycol ethers, diethylene glycol derivatives, glycerol and others (see Annex A chromatograms for identities and retention order).

Related Standards

• ISO 607 - Surface active agents and detergents: Methods of sample division (referenced normative standard).
• National adoptions of EN 14981:2006 (implemented across CEN member states).

This standard is essential for analytical chemists and QC laboratories performing reliable, reproducible GC determinations of high‑boiling solvents in liquid detergent formulations.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Surface active agents - Determination of content of high boiling solvents in liquid detergents by GLCAgents de surface - Détermination de la teneur en solvants a point d'ébullition élevé dans les détergents liquides par chromatographie en phase gazeuseGrenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Gehaltes an hochsiedenden Lösemitteln in flüssigen Reinigungsmitteln durch GLCTa slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 14981:2006SIST EN 14981:2007en71.100.40Površinsko aktivna sredstvaSurface active agentsICS:SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 14981:200701-april-2007

EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 14981October 2006ICS 71.100.40 English VersionSurface active agents - Determination of content of high boilingsolvents in liquid detergents by GLCAgents de surface - Détermination de la teneur en solvantsà point d'ébullition élevé dans les détergents liquides parchromatographie en phase gazeuseGrenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Gehaltes anhochsiedenden Lösemitteln in flüssigen Reinigungsmittelndurch GLCThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 28 August 2006.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2006 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 14981:2006: E

Examples of chromatogram.9 A.1 Solvent identification.9 A.2 Solvent quantification.12 Annex B (informative)
Statistical and other data derived from the results of inter-laboratory tests.13 Bibliography.14

NOTE A 30 m x 0,25 mm internal diameter, fused silica capillary column (film thickness 0,25 µm) with 100 % polyethylene glycol stationary phase is advisable. 7 Sampling and preparation of the sample The laboratory sample shall be prepared and stored in accordance with ISO 607. 8 Procedure 8.1 Gas chromatographic conditions The following GC conditions have been found to be suitable. At least the quality of separation shown in Figures A.1 and A.2 shall be achieved.  Oven temperature programs:
 qualitative analysis: 60°C (5 min) to 240°C (5 min) at 5°C/min;  qu
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