ISO/FDIS 12966-1

• Abstract:

  ISO 12966-1:2014 gives an overview of the gas chromatographic determination of fatty acids, free and bound, in animal and vegetable fats and oils following their conversion to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs).

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 67.200.10 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 34/SC 11 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 34/SC 11 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils
• Current Stage: 5020 - FDIS ballot initiated: 2 months. Proof sent to secretariat
• Start Date: 05-Oct-2026
• Completion Date: 05-Oct-2026

• Revises: ISO 12966-1:2014 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 1: Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters
• Effective Date: 11-Apr-2026

ISO/FDIS 12966-1 is an ISO guideline for the gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in animal and vegetable fats and oils. It explains how samples are prepared, how gas liquid chromatography (GLC) is set up and evaluated, and what to report for results that compare fatty acid compositions.

It is aimed at laboratories, analysts, quality teams, and method users who need to identify and quantify fatty acids, free and bound, in fats, oils, and extracted fatty material.

What does ISO/FDIS 12966-1 specify?

ISO/FDIS 12966-1 gives an overview of the gas chromatographic determination of fatty acids after conversion to FAMEs. It applies to crude, refined, partially hydrogenated, or fully hydrogenated fats and oils from animal and vegetable sources, and to fats extracted from foodstuffs.

The document is organized into clauses on scope, normative references, terms and definitions, principle, preparation of FAMEs, columns, GLC of FAMEs, evaluation of chromatograms, and test report, followed by a bibliography. In practice, that structure takes the reader from sample conversion through chromatography and into result reporting.

What are the key requirements of ISO/FDIS 12966-1?

• Clause 4 sets the analytical principle. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 uses GLC for qualitative and quantitative analysis of FAMEs. The FAMEs are prepared according to ISO 12966-2 or ISO 12966-3, then injected into the GC and detected with a flame ionization detector (FID). For mass selective detector (MSD) work, helium shall be used. In practice, this tells the laboratory which detector and carrier gas combinations fit the method and where identification comes from - retention time comparison.

• Clause 5 points to the preparation route before chromatography. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 requires FAME preparation in accordance with ISO 12966-2 and ISO 12966-3, and Table 1 compares the main esterification methods. The methods include rapid transmethylation with KOH, sequential alkaline and acid methylation, boron trifluoride (BF3) transmethylation, methanolic sulphuric or hydrochloric acid esterification, and trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH). This matters because the sample type drives method choice, especially for short-chain fatty acids, lauric oils, fish oils, and samples with free fatty acids.

• Clause 6 gives the column guidance. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 focuses on wall coated open tubular (WCOT) capillaries, with column polarity, length, internal diameter, and film thickness chosen to match the separation problem. Highly polar phases are used for complex cis/trans and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) mixtures, and very long columns may be needed for isomer separation. In practice, this is where the lab decides whether speed, resolution, or both are the priority.

• Clause 7 directs the user to Part 4 for the actual GC run. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 states that qualitative and quantitative determination of FAMEs shall be done according to ISO 12966-4. It also allows isothermal or temperature-programmed techniques depending on the required resolution. This means Part 1 gives the guidance, while Part 4 provides the operating conditions.

• Clause 8 explains how to evaluate chromatograms. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 says response factors may not be necessary for common non-lauric fats and oils, but the method should be checked against certified reference standards. For coconut, palm kernel, other lauric oils, and fish oils, instrumental response factors shall always be applied. Where not all FAMEs are quantified, or where short-chain or unusual fatty acids are present, an internal standard is recommended. In practice, this is what keeps the numbers credible.

• Clause 9 defines the test report content. ISO/FDIS 12966-1 requires the report to identify the method used, the sample, the sampling method if known, operating details that are optional or outside the clause, incidents affecting the result, the result itself or the final quoted result after repeatability checks, and the date. This supports traceable reporting in quality and accreditation work.

Who uses ISO/FDIS 12966-1?

ISO/FDIS 12966-1 is used by analytical laboratories testing edible oils, fats, fatty acids, and fatty foodstuffs. It also supports quality assurance teams, method developers, and technical buyers who need to compare fatty acid profiles or choose a laboratory method.

It is especially relevant where GC results are used for product characterization, composition checks, or process control.

What changed in ISO/FDIS 12966-1 from the previous edition?

ISO/FDIS 12966-1 is described as a minor revision of the first edition. The foreword lists these changes:

• the footnote after Clause 2 was deleted because ISO 12966-4 was published;
• helium and nitrogen were added in Clause 4 as carrier gases in line with ISO 12966-4;
• references in Table 1 were updated.

Which standards are used with ISO/FDIS 12966-1?

• ISO 12966-2 - gives the preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids.
• ISO 12966-3 - gives FAME preparation using trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH).
• ISO 12966-4 - gives the capillary gas chromatography determination of FAMEs and is the part used for the actual GC conditions.

These parts work together: Part 1 gives the guidance, Parts 2 and 3 cover sample preparation, and Part 4 covers the capillary GC determination and correction-factor information.

What does the ISO/FDIS 12966-1 document contain?

The document contains the method overview, preparation routes for FAMEs, and detailed guidance on column selection for different separation needs. It also describes detector choice, carrier gases, retention-time-based identification, and the practical limits of packed columns versus capillary columns.

Table 1 is the main comparison point for esterification methods and their suitability notes. The later clauses focus on chromatogram evaluation and reporting so that the result can be interpreted and documented consistently.

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 34/SC 11
Animal and vegetable fats and
Secretariat: BSI
oils — Gas chromatography of fatty
Voting begins on:
acid methyl esters —
2026-10-05
Part 1:
Voting terminates on:
2026-12-28
Guidelines on modern gas
chromatography of fatty acid methyl
esters
Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en
phase gazeuse des esters méthyliques d’acides gras —
Partie 1: Lignes directrices relatives à la chromatographie en
phase gazeuse moderne des esters méthyliques d’acides gras
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 SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 34/SC 11
Animal and vegetable fats and
Secretariat: BSI
oils — Gas chromatography of fatty
Voting begins on:
acid methyl esters —
Part 1:
Voting terminates on:
Guidelines on modern gas
chromatography of fatty acid methyl
esters
Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en
phase gazeuse des esters méthyliques d’acides gras —
Partie 1: Lignes directrices relatives à la chromatographie en
phase gazeuse moderne des esters méthyliques d’acides gras
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 SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2026
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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 Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Preparation of FAMEs . 2
6 Columns . 3
7 GLC of FAMEs . 4
8 Evaluation of the chromatograms . 4
8.1 Peak area and area per cent .4
8.2 Evaluation by means of an internal standard or correction factors .4
9 Test report . 5
Bibliography . 6

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 document 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 34, Food products, Subcommittee SC 11,
Animal and vegetable fats and oils, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Technical Committee CEN/TC 307, Oilseeds, vegetable and animal fats and oils and their by-products - Methods
of sampling and analysis, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN
(Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12966-1:2014), of which it constitutes a minor
revision.
The main changes are as follows:
— the footnote in Clause 2 has been deleted due to the publication of ISO 12966-4;
— in Clause 4, carrier gases helium and nitrogen have been added in accordance with ISO 12966-4;
— In Clause 6, a reference to ISO 12966-4 has been deleted;
— in Table 1, the references to ISO 12966-2 have been updated.
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.

iv
Introduction
This document is one part of a series of four International Standards for the preparation and determination
of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by gas chromatography in animal and vegetable fats and oils. The
ISO 12966 series is applicable to crude, refined, partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated fats, oils and
fatty acids derived from animal and vegetable sources, and fats extracted from foodstuffs.
The ISO 12966 series is not suitable for the analysis of dairy, ruminant fats and oils (including milk and milk
products or fat coming from milk and milk products), or products supplemented with conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA). Furthermore, it is not intended to be applied to polymerized and oxidized fats and oils.
[1]
This document is a guideline to the modern gas chromatography of FAMEs, while ISO 12966-2 and
[2] [3]
ISO 12966-3 cover the preparation of FAMEs by different methods. In ISO 12966-4 , the conditions for
the analysis of FAMEs by capillary gas chromatography are given.

v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of
fatty acid methyl esters —
Part 1:
Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid
methyl esters
1 Scope
This document gives an overview of the gas chromatographic determination of fatty acids, free and bound,
in animal and vegetable fats and oils following their conversion to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs).
The qualitative and quantitative determination of the composition of fatty acids by gas liquid chromatography
(GLC) is a widely used application in lipid analysis. It is used for the characterization of fats and oils, or fatty
foodstuffs after the extraction of the oil from the matrix. The bound fatty acids of the triacylglycerols (TAGs)
and, depending on the esterification method, the free fatty acids (FFAs) and other lipids, are converted to
FAMEs, which are determined by capillary gas chromatography. Depending on the number of different fatty
acids (theoretically more than 50 different fatty acids can be present) capillary columns with a length of 10
m to 100 m are used for a separation.
The GLC of FAMEs is applicable to all natural and synthetic mixtures of tri-, di- and monoacylglycerols, as
well as to fatty acid esters, FFAs, soaps and other fatty compounds. With the ISO 12966 series, FAMEs from
C4 to C26 can be determined, including saturated FAMEs, cis- and trans-monounsaturated FAMEs, and cis-
and trans-polyunsaturated FAMEs.
For the determination of short chain fatty acids, isopropyl and butyl esters are often used so as to avoid
interferences with the solvent peak and in order to reduce differences in detector responses.
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 12966-2, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 2:
Preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids
ISO 12966-3, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 3:
Preparation of methyl esters using trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH)
ISO 12966-4, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 4:
Determination by capillary gas chromatography
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
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
GLC is used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of FAMEs. The FAMEs are prepared in accordance
[1] [2]
with ISO 12966-2 or ISO 12966-3 and the dissolved FAMEs are then injected into and vapori
...

ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1
ISO/TC 34/SC 11
Secretariat: BSI
Date: 2026-07-2909-21
Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty
acid methyl esters —
Part 1:
Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters
Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en phase gazeuse des esters méthyliques d’acides
gras —
Partie 1: Lignes directrices relatives à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse moderne des esters méthyliques
d’acides gras
DISFDIS stage
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ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(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
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Preparation of FAMEs . 2
6 Columns . 3
7 GLC of FAMEs . 4
8 Evaluation of the chromatograms. 5
8.1 Peak area and area per cent. 5
8.2 Evaluation by means of an internal standard or correction factors . 5
9 Test report . 5
Bibliography . 6

iii
ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(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 documentsdocument 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).
Attention is drawnISO draws attention to the possibility that some of the elementsimplementation of this
document may beinvolve the subjectuse 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. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the
document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see ).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation onof 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.htmlthe following URL: .
The committee responsible for this This document iswas prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 34, Food
products, Subcommittee SC 11, Animal and vegetable fats and oils.
This first edition of ISO 12966-1, together, in collaboration with ISO 12966-4, cancelsthe European Committee
for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 307, Oilseeds, vegetable and replaces ISO
5508:1990animal fats and ISO 15304:2002 which have been technically revised.oils and their by-products -
Methods of sampling and analysis, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO
and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12966-1:2015),2014), of which has undergoneit
constitutes a minor revision.
The main changes are as follows:
— the footnote in Clause 2Removal of Footnote following has been deleted due to the publication of ISO
12966-4;
— in Clause 4The addition of, carrier gases helium and nitrogen to behave been added in lineaccordance with
Part 4 of the seriesISO 12966-4;
— In Clause 6Update of subclauses in Table 1, a reference to ISO 12966-24 has been deleted;
— in Table 1, the references to ISO 12966-2 have been updated.
iv
ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
ISO 12966 consists of the following parts, under the general title Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas
chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters:
— Part 1: Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters
— Part 2: Preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids
— Part 3: Preparation of methyl esters using trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH)
— Part 4: Determination by capillary gas chromatography
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/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
Introduction
This document is one part of ISO 12966 is one of a suiteseries of four International Standards for the
preparation and determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by gas chromatography in animal and
vegetable fats and oils. The ISO 12966 (all parts)series is applicable to crude, refined, partially hydrogenated
or fully hydrogenated fats, oils and fatty acids derived from animal and vegetable sources, and fats extracted
from foodstufffoodstuffs.
The ISO 12966 (all parts)series is not suitable for the analysis of dairy, ruminant fats and oils (including milk
and milk products or fat coming from milk and milk products), or products supplemented with conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA). Furthermore, it is not intended to be applied to polymerized and oxidized fats and oils.
This part of ISO 12966document is a guideline to the modern gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl
[4] [2]
estersFAMEs, while ISO 12966-2 ISO 12966-2 and ISO 12966-3 ISO 12966-3 cover the preparation of fatty
[8]
acid methyl estersFAMEs by different methods. In ISO 12966-4 ISO 12966-4,, the conditions for the analysis
of fatty acid methyl estersFAMEs by capillary gas chromatography are given.
This suite of International Standards replaces the following International Standards:
— ISO 5508:1990 is replaced by ISO 12966-1 and ISO 12966-4
— ISO 15304:2002 is replaced by ISO 12966-1 and ISO 12966-4
— ISO 5509:2000 is replaced by ISO 12966-2 and ISO 12966-3
vi
ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid
methyl esters —
Part 1:
Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12966document gives an overview of the gas chromatographic determination of fatty acids,
free and bound, in animal and vegetable fats and oils following their conversion to fatty acid methyl esters
(FAMEs).
The qualitative and quantitative determination of the composition of fatty acids by gas liquid chromatography
(GLC) is a widely used application in lipid analysis. It is used for the characterization of fats and oils, or fatty
foodstuffs after the extraction of the oil from the matrix. The bound fatty acids of the triacylglycerols (TAGs)
and, depending on the esterification method, the free fatty acids (FFAFFAs) and other lipids, are converted to
fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs),, which are determined by capillary gas chromatography. Depending on the
number of different fatty acids (theoretically more than 50 different fatty acids can be present) capillary
columns with a length of 10 m to 100 m are used for a separation.
The GLC of FAMEs is applicable to all natural and synthetic mixtures of tri-, di- and monoacylglycerols, as well
as to fatty acid esters, free fatty acidsFFAs, soaps and other fatty compounds. With this suite of standardsthe
ISO 12966 series, FAMEs from C4 to C26 can be determined, including saturated fatty acid methyl
estersFAMEs, cis- and trans-monounsaturated fatty acid methyl estersFAMEs, and cis- and trans-
polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl estersFAMEs.
For the determination of short chain fatty acids, isopropyl and butyl esters are often used so as to avoid
interferences with the solvent peak and in order to reduce differences in detector responses.
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 12966-2, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 2:
Preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids
ISO 12966-3, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 3:
Preparation of methyl esters using trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH)
ISO 12966-4, Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters — Part 4:
Determination by capillary gas chromatography
3 Terms and definitions
There are noNo terms and definitions are listed in this document.
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
ISO/DISFDIS 12966-1:2026(en)
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Principle
Gas liquid chromatography (GLC)GLC is used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of FAMEs. The
[4] [2]
FAMEs are prepared in accordance with ISO 12966-2 ISO 12966-2 or ISO 12966-3 ISO 12966-3 and the
dissolved FAMEs are then injected into and vaporized within the injector. The separation of FAMEs is achieved
on analytical columns of different polarity and lengths. For the detection of the FAMEs, a flame ionization
detector (FID) is used.
In the gas chromatography of FAMEs with FID, hydrogen (recommended), nitrogenshould be used as the
carrier gas (mobile phase). Nitrogen or helium with a purity of 99,995 % or greater canbe
...

PROJET FINAL
Norme
internationale
ISO/TC 34/SC 11
Corps gras d’origines animale
Secrétariat: BSI
et végétale — Chromatographie
Début de vote:
en phase gazeuse des esters
2026-10-05
méthyliques d’acides gras —
Vote clos le:
2026-12-28
Partie 1:
Lignes directrices relatives à la
chromatographie en phase gazeuse
moderne des esters méthyliques
d’acides gras
Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of
fatty acid methyl esters —
Part 1: Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid
methyl esters
LES DESTINATAIRES DU PRÉSENT PROJET SONT
INVITÉS À PRÉSENTER, AVEC LEURS OBSERVATIONS,
NOTIFICATION DES DROITS DE PROPRIÉTÉ DONT ILS
AURAIENT ÉVENTUELLEMENT CONNAISSANCE ET À
FOURNIR UNE DOCUMENTATION EXPLICATIVE.
OUTRE LE FAIT D’ÊTRE EXAMINÉS POUR
ÉTABLIR S’ILS SONT ACCEPTABLES À DES FINS
INDUSTRIELLES, TECHNOLOGIQUES ET COM-MERCIALES,
AINSI QUE DU POINT DE VUE DES UTILISATEURS, LES
PROJETS DE NORMES
TRAITEMENT PARALLÈLE ISO/CEN
INTERNATIONALES DOIVENT PARFOIS ÊTRE CONSIDÉRÉS
DU POINT DE VUE DE LEUR POSSI BILITÉ DE DEVENIR DES
NORMES POUVANT
SERVIR DE RÉFÉRENCE DANS LA RÉGLEMENTATION
NATIONALE.
Numéro de référence
PROJET FINAL
Norme
internationale
ISO/TC 34/SC 11
Corps gras d’origines animale
Secrétariat: BSI
et végétale — Chromatographie
Début de vote:
en phase gazeuse des esters
2026-10-05
méthyliques d’acides gras —
Vote clos le:
2026-12-28
Partie 1:
Lignes directrices relatives à la
chromatographie en phase gazeuse
moderne des esters méthyliques
d’acides gras
Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Gas chromatography of
fatty acid methyl esters —
Part 1: Guidelines on modern gas chromatography of fatty acid
methyl esters
DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2026
LES DESTINATAIRES DU PRÉSENT PROJET SONT
Tous droits réservés.
INVITÉS À PRÉSENTER, AVEC LEURS OBSERVATIONS,
NOTIFICATION DES DROITS DE PROPRIÉTÉ DONT ILS
La présente publication de l’ISO est protégée par le droit d’auteur et demeure la propriété de l’ISO et/ou de ses concédants de
AURAIENT ÉVENTUELLEMENT CONNAISSANCE ET À
licence.
FOURNIR UNE DOCUMENTATION EXPLICATIVE.
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ii
Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
Introduction .v
1 Domaine d’application . 1
2 Références normatives . 1
3 Termes et définitions . 1
4 Principe. 2
5 Préparation des EMAG . 2
6 Colonnes . 3
7 Chromatographie en phase gazeuse (CPG) des EMAG . 5
8 Évaluation des chromatogrammes. 5
8.1 Aire du pic et pourcentage de l’aire du pic .5
8.2 Évaluation au moyen d’un étalon interne ou de facteurs de correction.5
9 Rapports d’essai . 5
Bibliographie . 7

iii
Avant-propos
L’ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d’organismes nationaux
de normalisation (comités membres de l’ISO). L’élaboration des Normes internationales est en général
confiée aux comités techniques de l’ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire
partie du comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l’ISO participent également aux travaux. L’ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier, de prendre note des différents
critères d’approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document
a été rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2
(voir www.iso.org/directives).
L’ISO attire l’attention sur le fait que la mise en application du présent document peut entraîner l’utilisation
d’un ou de plusieurs brevets. L’ISO ne prend pas position quant à la preuve, à la validité et à l’applicabilité de
tout droit de brevet revendiqué à cet égard. À la date de publication du présent document, l’ISO n’avait pas
reçu notification qu’un ou plusieurs brevets pouvaient être nécessaires à sa mise en application. Toutefois,
il y a lieu d’avertir les responsables de la mise en application du présent document que des informations
plus récentes sont susceptibles de figurer dans la base de données de brevets, disponible à l’adresse
www.iso.org/brevets. L’ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne pas avoir identifié tout ou partie de
tels droits de brevet.
Les appellations commerciales éventuellement mentionnées dans le présent document sont données pour
information, par souci de commodité, à l’intention des utilisateurs et ne sauraient constituer un engagement.
Pour une explication de la nature volontaire des normes, la signification des termes et expressions
spécifiques de l’ISO liés à l’évaluation de la conformité, ou pour toute information au sujet de l’adhésion de
l’ISO aux principes de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant les obstacles techniques au
commerce (OTC), voir www.iso.org/avant-propos.
Le présent document a été élaboré par le comité technique ISO/TC 34, Produits alimentaires, sous-comité
SC 11, Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale, en collaboration avec le comité technique CEN/TC 307,
Oléagineux, corps gras d’origine végétale et animale et leurs co-produits - Méthodes d’échantillonnage et
d’analyse, du Comité européen de normalisation (CEN), conformément à l’Accord de coopération technique
entre l’ISO et le CEN (Accord de Vienne).
Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition (ISO 12966-1:2014), dont elle constitue une
révision mineure.
Les principales modifications sont les suivantes:
— la note de bas de page de l’Article 2 a été supprimée en raison de la publication de l’ISO 12966-4;
— à l’Article 4, l’hélium et l’azote ont été ajoutés comme gaz vecteurs conformément à l’ISO 12966-4;
— à l’Article 6, une référence à l’ISO 12966-4 a été supprimée;
— dans le Tableau 1, les références à l’ISO 12966-2 ont été mises à jour.
Il convient que l’utilisateur adresse tout retour d’information ou toute question concernant le présent
document à l’organisme national de normalisation de son pays. Une liste exhaustive desdits organismes se
trouve à l’adresse www.iso.org/fr/members.html.

iv
Introduction
Le présent document est une partie d’une série de quatre Normes internationales relatives à la préparation
et à la détermination des esters méthyliques d’acides gras (EMAG) par chromatographie en phase gazeuse
dans les corps gras d’origines animale et végétale. La série ISO 12966 s’applique aux corps gras et acides
gras bruts, raffinés, partiellement hydrogénés ou totalement hydrogénés d’origines animale et végétale et
aux corps gras extraits de produits alimentaires.
La série ISO 12966 ne convient pas pour l’analyse des produits laitiers, des corps gras de ruminants
(y compris le lait et les produits dérivés du lait ou les matières grasses provenant du lait et des produits
laitiers), ou des produits additionnés d’acide linoléique conjugué (CLA). En outre, elle n’est pas destinée à
être appliquée aux corps gras polymérisés et oxydés.
Le présent document est une ligne directrice relative à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse moderne des
[4] [2]
EMAG, alors que l’ISO 12966-2 et l’ISO 12966-3 traitent de la préparation des EMAG par différentes
[8]
méthodes. L’ISO 12966-4 donne les conditions d’analyse des EMAG par chromatographie en phase gazeuse
sur colonne capillaire.
v
PROJET FINAL Norme internationale ISO/FDIS 12966-1:2026(fr)
Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie
en phase gazeuse des esters méthyliques d’acides gras —
Partie 1:
Lignes directrices relatives à la chromatographie en phase
gazeuse moderne des esters méthyliques d’acides gras
1 Domaine d’application
Le présent document donne un aperçu de la détermination par chromatographie en phase gazeuse des
acides gras, libres et liés, dans les corps gras d’origines animale et végétale après leur conversion en esters
méthyliques d’acides gras (EMAG).
La détermination qualitative et quantitative de la composition des acides gras par chromatographie en
phase gazeuse (CPG) est une application couramment utilisée dans l’analyse des lipides. Elle est utilisée
pour la caractérisation des corps gras ou des produits alimentaires gras après l’extraction de l’huile de la
matrice. Les acides gras liés des triacylglycérols (TAG) et, selon la méthode d’estérification, les acides gras
libres (AGL) et autres lipides, sont convertis en EMAG, qui sont déterminés par chromatographie en phase
gazeuse sur colonne capillaire. Selon le nombre d’acides gras différents (théoriquement plus de 50 acides
gras différents peuvent être présents) des colonnes capillaires d’une longueur de 10 m à 100 m sont utilisées
pour la séparation.
La CPG des EMAG s’applique à tous les mélanges naturels et synthétiques de tri-, di- et mono-acylglycérols,
ainsi qu’aux esters d’acides gras, AGL, savons et autres composés gras. Avec la série ISO 12966, les EMAG de
C4 à C26 peuvent être déterminés, y compris les EMAG saturés, les EMAG mono-insaturés cis et trans et les
EMAG poly-insaturés cis et trans.
Pour la détermination des acides gras à chaîne courte, des esters isopropyliques et butyliques sont souvent
utilisés de manière à éviter les interférences avec le pic du solvant et afin de réduire les écarts de réponse du
détecteur.
2 Références normatives
Les documents suivants sont cités dans le texte de sorte qu’ils constituent, pour tout ou partie de leur
contenu, des exigences du présent document. Pour les références datées, seule l’édition citée s’applique. Pour
les références non datées, la dernière édition du document de référence s’applique (y compris les éventuels
amendements).
ISO 12966-2, Corps gras d'origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en phase gazeuse des esters
méthyliques d'acides gras — Partie 2: Préparation des esters méthyliques d'acides gras
ISO 12966-3, Corps gras d'origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en phase gazeuse des
esters méthyliques d'acides gras — Partie 3: Préparation des esters méthyliques à l'aide d'hydroxyde de
triméthylsulfonium (TMSH)
ISO 12966-4, Corps gras d’origines animale et végétale — Chromatographie en phase gazeuse des esters
méthyliques d’acides gras — Partie 4: Détermination par chromatographie capillaire en phase gazeuse
3 Termes et définitions
Aucun terme n’est défini dans le présent document.

L’ISO et l’IEC tiennent à jour des bases de données terminologiques destinées à être utilisées en normalisation,
consultables aux adresses suivantes:
— ISO Online browsing platform: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Principe
La CPG est utilisée pour l’analyse qualitative et quantitative des EMAG. Les EMAG sont préparés
[1] [2]
conformément à l’ISO 12966-2 ou l’ISO 12966-3, et les EMAG dissous sont ensuite injectés et vaporisés
dans l’injecteur. La séparation des EMAG est obtenue sur des colonnes d’analyse de différentes polarités et
longueurs. Pour la détection des EMAG, un détecteur à ionisation de flamme (FID) est utilisé.
Dans la chromatographie en phase gazeuse des EMAG avec FID, il convient que l’hydrogène soit utilisé
comme gaz vecteur (phase mobile). Il est également possible d’utiliser de
...