ISO 13741-2

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 83.040.10 - Latex and raw rubber
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 9 - Thermoplastic materials
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 9/WG 14 - Polymer dispersions
• Current Stage: 6000 - International Standard under publication
• Start Date: 29-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 19-Sep-2026

• Revises: ISO 13741-2:1998 - Plastics/rubber — Polymer dispersions and rubber latices (natural and synthetic) — Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography — Part 2: Headspace method
• Effective Date: 04-Nov-2023

Overview

ISO 13741-2: Plastics/rubber - Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography - Part 2: Headspace method is an international standard developed by ISO Technical Committee 61 for plastics and rubber materials. This standard specifies a reliable headspace capillary-column gas chromatography (HS-GC) method to identify and determine residual monomers and other volatile organic components in polymer dispersions, latices, and related products. The headspace method described is especially suitable for quantifying low-level volatiles to meet strict regulatory and quality requirements in the plastics and rubber industries.

Key Topics

• Residual Monomers and Volatile Organic Components: The standard outlines procedures for assessing both unsaturated and saturated residual monomers, including common compounds such as acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, butadiene, styrene, vinyl acetate, and by-products like ethylbenzene.
• Headspace Gas Chromatography (HS-GC): Utilizes a headspace sampler connected to a capillary-column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). The method involves equilibrating the sample in a sealed vial and injecting the vapor phase for analysis, ensuring precise determination of volatile content.
• Calibration and Quantification: Details standardized preparation of calibration and sample solutions, including the use of internal standards and relative correction factors to increase measurement accuracy.
• Sample Preparation and Reporting: Provides clear steps for preparing polymer dispersions and latices for analysis, homogenization, and test reporting, including the identification of unusual features and the complete documentation of test conditions and apparatus.

Applications

ISO 13741-2 is highly relevant to manufacturers and laboratories that produce or analyze:

• Polymer Dispersions and Latices: Applied routinely for quality control in the production of aqueous polymer and rubber dispersions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists in meeting safety, health, and environmental regulations that require low limits of residual monomers and volatile organics.
• Research and Development: Supports the analytical needs during development of new polymers or latex-based products, particularly where product safety and residual content must be validated.
• Product Certification and Auditing: Used as a reference method for third-party testing and certification programs to verify the safety and compliance of polymer and latex materials.

Related Standards

• ISO 124: Latex, rubber - Determination of total solids content. Provides guidance on measuring solid content in rubber latex, referenced for sample preparation in ISO 13741-2.
• ISO 472: Plastics - Vocabulary. Supplies standard definitions for terminology used within ISO 13741-2.
• ISO 3696: Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods. Specifies water quality required for reagent preparation.
• ISO 13741-1: Plastics/rubber - Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography - Part 1: Direct injection method.
• ISO 3899: Rubber - Nitrile latex - Determination of residual acrylonitrile content. The method in ISO 13741-2 is intended to replace and expand upon this earlier standard.

Practical Value

By implementing ISO 13741-2, organizations ensure accurate, comparable, and reproducible measurement of residual monomers and organic volatiles in plastics and rubber. This helps meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements for product safety while supporting consistent product quality. The standardization of the headspace GC technique also ensures laboratories can adopt industry-best practices for polymer and latex analysis, driving confidence in results across global supply chains. Use of ISO 13741-2 can support certification, compliance audits, R&D, and routine manufacturing quality control in the plastics and rubber sectors.

International
Standard
Second edition
Plastics/rubber — Determination
of residual monomers and other
organic components by capillary-
column gas chromatography —
Part 2:
Headspace method
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Reagents . 1
6 Apparatus . 2
7 Preparation of apparatus . 2
8 Calibration . 3
8.1 Preparation of calibration solution .3
8.1.1 General .3
8.1.2 Internal standard solution.3
8.1.3 Stock solution A .3
8.1.4 Standard solutions .4
8.1.5 Calibration solutions .4
8.2 Test calibration solutions .5
8.3 Calculate relative mass correction factor .5
9 Procedure . 5
9.1 Preparation of the sample solution (specimens) .5
9.2 Test sample solutions (specimens) .5
10 Calculation . 6
10.1 Calculate target compounds concentration in sample solutions .6
10.2 Calculate target compound content in polymer dispersions and latices.6
11 Test report . 6
Annex A (informative) Relative correction factors. 7
Annex B (informative) Typical gas chromatograms . 8
Bibliography .11
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 9, Thermoplastic
materials.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 13741-2:1988), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the relative corrective factors for internal standard method in quantitative method are now determined
by standard addition method, rather than external standard in previous version;
— added details for the preparation of standard solutions, calibration solutions and sample solutions are
described;
— added the specification for automated headspace sampler;
— add Clause 3 Terms and definitions.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13741 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iv
Introduction
The requirements imposed today by authorities include the assessment of the content of residual monomers
and organic volatiles, for health and environmental reasons sometimes down to minute traces.
This document presents a method for the determination by gas chromatography of residual monomers and
other organic components in polymer dispersions and latices. This document provides a method that is
in line with present-day requirements for analytical methods and is intended for use instead of ISO 3899,
where precise measurements of volatile-matter content are needed. This document also expands the scope
to include other volatile organic components than residue monomers.
Since the chromatograms obtained normally contain a series of peaks, it is only possible to determine
the content of those volatiles for which response factors have been determined. For the identification of
unknown peaks, auxiliary methods like mass spectroscopy or the use of a second GC column with a different
polarity are advisable.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
v
International Standard ISO 13741-2:2026(en)
Plastics/rubber — Determination of residual monomers
and other organic components by capillary-column gas
chromatography —
Part 2:
Headspace method
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of residual monomers and other volatile organic
components (unsaturated or saturated) in aqueous polymer dispersions and latices, as well as in related
products by headspace capillary-column gas chromatography (HS-GC).
This document is applicable to the determination of residual monomers and other volatiles, include acrylic
and methacrylic esters, butadiene, styrene vinyl acetate, as well as by-products such as ethylbenzene.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 124, Latex, rubber — Determination of total solids content
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary
ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Principle
A suitable aliquot of the sample is diluted with water and water-miscible solvent containing internal
standard and polymerization inhibitor. The mixture is then introduced into a headspace vial. The vial is
allowed to come to thermal equilibrium before a measured quantity of the headspace vapours is introduced
into a gas chromatograph. The concentration of residual monomers and other volatiles are determined from
relative peak areas comparing to the peak area of the internal standard.
5 Reagents
Unless otherwise stated, use only reagents of recognized analytical grade and only grade 1 water as defined
in ISO 3696.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
5.1 Carrier gas, helium or nitrogen.
5.2 Internal standard, methyl iso-butyl ketone. Other organic compounds not present in the sample
could also be used (e.g.: dioxane). The internal standard shall not co-elu
...

ISO/PRF 13741-2:####(X)
ISO/TC 61/SC 9/WG 14
Secretariat: KATS
Date: YYYY-MM-DD2026-07-31
Plastics/rubber — — Determination of residual monomers and
other organic components by capillary-column gas
chromatography —Part 2: Headspace method —

FDIS stage
Warning for WDs and CDs
This document is not an ISO International Standard. It is distributed for review and comment. It is subject to
change without notice and may not be referred to as an International Standard.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.

A model document of an International Standard (the Model International Standard) is available at:

© ISO 1341-2 – All rights reserved

ISO #####-#:####(X)
Part 2:
Headspace method
PROOF
2 © ISO #### – All rights reserved

ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.orgwww.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
iii
ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
Contents
Foreword . v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Reagents . 1
6 Apparatus . 2
7 Preparation of apparatus . 2
8 Calibration . 3
8.1 Preparation of calibration solution . 3
8.2 Test calibration solutions . 5
8.3 Calculate relative mass correction factor . 5
9 Procedure . 5
9.1 Preparation of the sample solution (specimens) . 5
9.2 Test sample solutions (specimens) . 6
10 Calculation . 6
10.1 Calculate target compounds concentration in sample solutions . 6
10.2 Calculate target compound content in polymer dispersions and latices . 6
11 Test report . 7
Annex A (informative) Relative correction factors . 8
Annex B (informative) Typical gas chromatograms . 9
Bibliography . 14

iv
ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee [or Project Committee] ISO/TC 61, Plastics,
Subcommittee SC 9, Thermoplastic materials.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 13741-2:1988), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — the relative corrective factors for internal standard method in quantitative method are now
determined by standard addition method, rather than external standard in previous version.;
— — added details for the preparation of standard solutions, calibration solutions and sample solutions are
described.;
— — added the specification for automated headspace sampler.;
— — Add Clause 3add Clause 3 Terms and definitions.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13741 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
Introduction
The requirements imposed today by authorities include the assessment of the content of residual monomers
and organic volatiles, for health and environmental reasons sometimes down to minute traces.
This document presents a method for the determination by gas chromatography of residual monomers and
other organic components in polymer dispersions and latices. This standarddocument provides a method that
is in line with present-day requirements for analytical methods and is intended for use instead of ISO 3899,
Rubber — Nitrile latex — Determination of residual acrylonitrile content, where precise measurements of
volatile-matter content are needed. This document also expands the scope to include other volatile organic
components than residue monomers.
Since the chromatograms obtained normally contain a series of peaks, it is only possible to determine the
content of those volatiles for which response factors have been determined. For the identification of unknown
peaks, auxiliary methods like mass spectroscopy or the use of a second GC column with a different polarity are
advisable.
vi
ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
Plastics/rubber — — Determination of residual monomers and other
organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography —Part
2: Headspace method —
Part 2:
Headspace method
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of residual monomers and other volatile organic
components (unsaturated or saturated) in aqueous polymer dispersions and latices, as well as in related
products by headspace capillary-column gas chromatography (HS-GC).
This document is applicable to the determination of residual monomers and other volatiles, include acrylic
and methacrylic esters, butadiene, styrene vinyl acetate, as well as by-products such as ethylbenzene.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 124, Latex, rubber — Determination of total solids content
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary
ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Principle
A suitable aliquot of the sample is diluted with water and water-miscible solvent containing internal standard
and polymerization inhibitor. The mixture is then introduced into a headspace vial. The vial is allowed to come
to thermal equilibrium before a measured quantity of the headspace vapours is introduced into a gas
chromatograph. The concentration of residual monomers and other volatiles are determined from relative
peak areas comparing to the peak area of the internal standard.
5 Reagents
Unless otherwise stated, use only reagents of recognized analytical grade and only grade 1 water as defined
in ISO 3696.
5.1 Carrier gas, helium or nitrogen.
ISO/PRF 13741-2:2026(en)
5.2 Internal standard, methyl iso-butyl ketone. Other organic compounds not present in the sample
could also be used (e.g.: dioxane). The internal standard shall not co-elute with any of the compounds of
interest. Its retention time shall lie within the range covered by the compounds of interest.
5.3 Monomers, mass fraction > 99 %, for comparison purposes.
5.4 Solvent, dimethylformamide (DMF). Other solvent such as dimethylacetamide (DMA) may also be
used.
5.5 Polymerization Inhibitor, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol.
5.6 Mixed solvent, mass ratio of DMF or DMA to water is 2:1.
6 Apparatus
6.1 Gas chromatograph, equipped with a split injector, a flame ionization detector (FID) and capable of
linear temperature programming function.
6.2 Capillary column, with a length of 30 m and internal diameter 0,25 mm or 0,32mm32 mm, made of
fused silica that is covered with 1 um thick film of polydimethylsiloxane.
6.3 Automated headspace sampler, with a sample tray capable of maintaining a temperature of choice
from 80 °C to 150 °C. Automated sampling of the headspace gas in the sample vials through a heated, constant-
volume sample loop or pressure balancing sampling mechanism is required. Conduct sampling to the gas
chromatography by means of a heated transfer line.
6.4 Headspace vials, with capacity approximately 20 ml, suitable for headspace chromatography.
6.5 Aluminium or PTFE coated septa and aluminium caps, for sealing the vials.
6.6 Cap crimper, for crimp caps of the vials.
6.7 Analytical balance, accurate to 0,1 mg.
6.8 Magnetic stirrer or roller mixer
7 Preparation of apparatus
7.1 Condition the column by attaching one end of the column to the inlet side of the apparatus, leaving the
exit end of the column disconnected. This prevents contamination of the detector due to column bleed. Set the
carrier gas flow rate to the value given in the instruction manual and purge the column at 220 °C for 1 h (or
longer).
7.2 After conditioning, connect the exit end of the column to the detector and establish the operating
conditions required to give the desired separation (for typical conditions, see Table 1table 1).). Allow
sufficient time for the apparatus to reach equilibrium as indicated by a stable baseline.

Table 1 — Typical operating co
...