EN 13270:2001

Surface active agents - Determination of the active matter content in alkyldimethylbetaines

This European Standard specifies a test method for the determination of up to 1 milliequivalent of alkyldimethyl betaine. Monochloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, strong acids and amines do not intefere.

Grenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Aktivgehalts in Alkyldimethylbetainen

1 Anwendunsbereich
Diese Europäische Norm le t ein Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmun  von bis zu 1 mmol Alkyldimethylbetain fest.
Monochloressi säure, Glycolsäure, starke Säuren und Amine stören die Bestimmun  nicht.

Agents de surface - Dosage de la teneur en matière active dans les alkyldiméthylbétaïnes

1 Domaine d'application
La présente norme européenne spécifie une méthode d'essai visant à déterminer jusqu'à 1 mmol d'alkyldiméthylbétaïne. L'acide monochloroacétique, l'acide glycolique, les acides forts et les amines n'interfèrent pas.

Povšinsko aktivne snovi - Določevanje aktivnih snovi v alkildimetilbetainih

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Mar-2001
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Sep-2001
• 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 13270:2002 - Surface active agents - Determination of the active matter content in alkyldimethylbetaines

Relations

• Corrected By: EN 13270:2001/AC:2002 - Surface active agents - Determination of the active matter content in alkyldimethylbetaines
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008

Overview

EN 13270:2001 is a European Standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies a precise test method for determining the active matter content in alkyldimethylbetaines. Alkyldimethylbetaines are surface active agents (surfactants) widely used in various industrial and consumer products, including detergents, personal care products, and cleaning formulations.

This standard focuses on the quantitative analysis of alkyldimethylbetaines up to 1 milliequivalent, ensuring accurate measurement unaffected by common interfering substances such as monochloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, strong acids, and amines. It provides a reliable laboratory procedure employing potentiometric titration to measure active matter content, vital for quality control and formulation consistency in surfactant production and usage.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  EN 13270:2001 defines a test method for accurate determination of alkyl dimethyl betaine content, expressed in grams per 100 g, suitable for active matter levels up to 1 mmol.

• Principle of Measurement
  The method uses alkalimetric titration with potentiometric endpoint detection. Sample preparation involves dissolving the material in isobutyl methyl ketone, acidifying with propanolic hydrochloric acid to protonate basic components, and titrating with ethanolic potassium hydroxide.

• Reagents and Materials
  The standard specifies the use of:

  • Isobutyl methyl ketone for sample dissolution
  • Potassium hydroxide in ethanol as the titrant
  • Propan-2-ol solution of hydrochloric acid for acidification
  • High-purity nitrogen gas to remove carbon dioxide during analysis

• Equipment
  Analysis requires typical laboratory apparatus plus a potentiometric titrator with a combined glass/calomel electrode, an analytical balance with 0.1 mg accuracy, and magnetic stirrer.

• Calculation and Reporting
  Results are calculated based on titrant volume consumed at two inflexion points along the titration curve, with outcomes expressed to two decimal places as grams per 100 g. Comprehensive test reporting ensures traceability and includes sample identification, test conditions, and observed anomalies.

• Precision and Accuracy
  The standard includes detailed precision data validated through ring tests, specifying repeatability limits (≤ 0.37 g/100 g) and reproducibility limits (≤ 0.75 g/100 g) for active matter content near 32 g/100 g.

Applications

• Quality Control in Surfactant Manufacturing
  Essential for verifying the purity and concentration of alkyldimethylbetaines during and after production, ensuring compliance with product specifications.

• Formulation of Cleaning and Personal Care Products
  Accurate measurement of active matter content helps manufacturers adjust formulations for optimal performance and cost efficiency.

• Regulatory Compliance and Certification
  Enables manufacturers and testing laboratories to demonstrate adherence to industry standards for surfactant content analysis across Europe.

• Research and Development
  Provides a standardized analytical method for studying alkyldimethylbetaines in product innovation and performance evaluation.

Related Standards

• EN ISO 3696 – Specifies water quality requirements for analytical laboratory use, ensuring reagent purity for accurate titrations.

• ISO 607 – Covers sample division methods for surface active agents and detergents, applicable to sample preparation in this test method.

• ISO 5725-2 – Defines statistical methods for determining repeatability and reproducibility of measurement methods, supporting precision data in EN 13270.

• J.M. Plantinga et al. (1993) – Provides foundational research on potentiometric titration for alkyldimethyl betaine analysis, referenced in this standard’s bibliography.

---

By adhering to EN 13270:2001, laboratories and industry professionals can perform reliable, accurate quantification of alkyldimethylbetaines, enhancing quality assurance and supporting consistent product performance in surfactant applications. This standard remains integral for organizations focused on surface active agent testing and regulatory compliance within Europe and internationally.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.LOEHWDLQLKGrenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Aktivgehalts in AlkyldimethylbetainenAgents de surface - Dosage de la teneur en matiere active dans les alkyldiméthylbétainesSurface active agents - Determination of the active matter content in alkyldimethylbetaines71.100.40Površinsko aktivna sredstvaSurface active agentsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13270:2001SIST EN 13270:2002en01-januar-2002SIST EN 13270:2002SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 13270March 2001ICS 71.100.40English versionSurface active agents - Determination of the active mattercontent in alkyldimethylbetainesAgents de surface - Dosage de la teneur en matière activedans les alkyldiméthylbétaïnesGrenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Aktivgehaltsin AlkyldimethylbetainenThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 4 February 2001.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 Management Centre 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 Management Centre has the same status as the officialversions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2001 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 13270:2001 ESIST EN 13270:2002

Page 2EN 13270:2001ContentsForeword.31Scope.42Normative references.43Term and definition.44Principle.45Reagents.46Apparatus.57Sampling and preparation of the test sample.58Procedure.59Calculation and expression of results.510Precision.611Test report.6Annex A (informative)
Ring test results.7Annex B (informative)
Example for potentiometric titration parameters.8Annex C (informative)
Typical titration curve of an alkyl dimethyl betaine and its first derivative.9Bibliography.10SIST EN 13270:2002

Page 3EN 13270:2001ForewordThis European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 276 "Surface active agents", thesecretariat of which is held by AFNOR.This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text orby endorsement, at the latest by September 2001, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at thelatest by September 2001.Annexes A, B, and C are informative.According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the followingcountries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,Switzerland and the United Kingdom.SIST EN 13270:2002

Page 4EN 13270:20011 ScopeThis European Standard specifies a test method for the determination of up to 1 mmol of alkyl dimethyl betaine.Monochloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, strong acids and amines do not interfere.2 Normative referencesThis European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. Thesenormative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. Fordated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this EuropeanStandard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of thepublication referred to applies (including amendments).EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods (ISO 3696:1987).ISO 607, Surface active agents and detergents
Methods of sample division.3 Term and definitionFor the purposes of this European Standard, the following term and definition apply :3.1active matter contentcontent of alkyl dimethyl betaine which can be determined by this test method, expressed in grams per 100 g.4 PrincipleAlkyl dimethyl betaines are determined by alkalimetric titration with potentiometric indication of the end point.The sample is dissolved in isobutyl methyl ketone. Acidification with propanolic hydrochloric acid converts all thebasic compone
...