ISO 17293-2:2014

Surface active agents — Determination of chloroacetic acid (chloroacetate) in surfactants — Part 2: Ionic chromatographic method

ISO 17293-2:2014 specifies a method for the determination of monochloroacetic acid (monochloroacetate) and dichloroacetic acid (dichloroacetate) in surfactants by ion chromatographic method. The method applies for anionic surfactants such as alkyl (phenyl) ethoxylated carboxylate (AEC) or amphoteric surfactants such as alkyl imidazoline carboxylate, alkyl dimethyl betaine, and fatty acetyl propyl dimethyl betaine. The limit of detection (LOD) is ≤0,01 µg/ml for monochloroacetic acid and ≤0,05 µg/ml for dichloroacetic acid; and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is ≤0,1 µg/ml for each standard (using a standard solution). The LOD, at 1 g of sample weight, is ≤1 mg/kg for monochloroacetic acid and ≤5 mg/kg for dichloroacetic acid; and the LOQ is ≤10 mg/kg for each acid.

Agents de surface — Détermination de l'acide chloroacétique (chloroacétate) dans les agents tensioactifs — Partie 2: Méthode par chromatographie ionique

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Mar-2014
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 91 - Surface active agents
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 91 - Surface active agents
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 01-Nov-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Feb-2026

Overview

ISO 17293-2:2014 specifies an internationally recognized method for determining monochloroacetic acid (monochloroacetate) and dichloroacetic acid (dichloroacetate) in surfactants using ionic chromatographic techniques. Developed by ISO Technical Committee 91, this standard enables accurate identification and quantification of these chloroacetic acids in both anionic and amphoteric surfactants. The method ensures analytical consistency and comparability in laboratory testing, supporting industry needs for product safety, regulatory compliance, and quality control.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application:
  ISO 17293-2:2014 is applicable to both anionic surfactants (such as alkyl (phenyl) ethoxylated carboxylate, or AEC) and amphoteric surfactants (including alkyl imidazoline carboxylate, alkyl dimethyl betaine, and fatty acetyl propyl dimethyl betaine).

• Ion Chromatographic Method:
  The procedure involves diluting the sample, separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid via an anionic ion exchange column, and detecting them with electrical conductivity. External calibration ensures rigorous quantification.

• Detection and Quantification Limits:

  • Monochloroacetic Acid:
    • Limit of Detection (LOD): ≤0.01 µg/ml (solution), ≤1 mg/kg (sample)
    • Limit of Quantification (LOQ): ≤0.1 µg/ml (solution), ≤10 mg/kg (sample)
  • Dichloroacetic Acid:
    • LOD: ≤0.05 µg/ml (solution), ≤5 mg/kg (sample)
    • LOQ: ≤0.1 µg/ml (solution), ≤10 mg/kg (sample)

• Sample Preparation:

  • Utilizes ISO 607 for sample division and preparation
  • Analytical reagents must be of recognized, high analytical grade, with water conforming to ISO 3696 Grade 1

• Precision and Reporting:

  • Repeatability limits are 10% for contents ≥50 mg/kg and 15% for <50 mg/kg
  • Reproducibility across laboratories is up to 35%
  • Comprehensive reporting requirements for methods, calibration, results, and test conditions

Applications

• Quality Control in Surfactant Manufacturing:
  Ensures that residual chloroacetic acids in surfactant products are within safe and regulatory limits, safeguarding consumer products for detergent and cleaning industries.

• Regulatory Compliance:
  Assists laboratories and manufacturers in meeting international safety and environmental regulations by providing standardized analysis and documentation.

• Analytical and Industrial Laboratories:
  Used by laboratories performing routine or batch testing of anionic and amphoteric surfactants to monitor process consistency and raw material purity.

• Research and Development:
  Facilitates new product development, supporting formulation adjustments and ingredient sourcing by reliably quantifying chloroacetates.

Related Standards

• ISO 17293-1: Surface active agents - Determination of chloroacetic acid in surfactants - Part 1: HPLC method
  An alternative chromatographic approach for chloroacetic acid detection, useful in comparative studies or if ion chromatography is not available.

• ISO 607: Surface active agents and detergents - Methods of sample division
  Provides detailed procedures for representative sampling, often referenced for sample preparation under ISO 17293-2.

• ISO 3696: Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods
  Specifies water quality required for reagent preparation and sample analysis to maintain accuracy.

• ISO 5725-2: Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results – Part 2
  Sets out methods for calculating and evaluating repeatability and reproducibility, essential for laboratory quality assurance.

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ISO 17293-2:2014 is critical for accurate, reproducible determination of chloroacetic acids in surfactants, supporting safe consumer products and international trade. The standard’s robust method enhances confidence in laboratory results and helps organizations align with best practices in quality and compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17293-2
First edition
2014-04-01
Surface active agents — Determination
of chloroacetic acid (chloroacetate) in
surfactants —
Part 2:
Ionic chromatographic method
Agents de surface — Détermination de l’acide chloroacétique
(chloroacétate) dans les agents tensioactifs —
Partie 2: Méthode par chromatographie ionique
Reference number
©
ISO 2014
© ISO 2014
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
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written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Principle . 1
4 Reagents . 1
4.1 General . 1
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Procedure. 3
6.1 General . 3
6.2 Ion chromatographic condition . 3
6.3 Calibration . 3
6.4 Sampling and analysis . 3
7 Results and calculation . 4
7.1 General . 4
7.2 Content of monochloroacetic acid . 4
7.3 Content of dichloroacetic acid . 4
8 Precision . 4
8.1 Repeatability limit . 4
8.2 Reproducible limit . 5
9 Test report . 5
Annex A (informative) Typical chromatograms . 6
Foreword
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to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 91, Surface active agents.
ISO 17293 consists of the following parts, under the general title Surface active agents – Determination of
chloroacetic acid (chloroacetate) in surfactants:
— Part 1: HPLC method
— Part 2: Ionic chromatographic method
iv © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17293-2:2014(E)
Surface active agents — Determination of chloroacetic acid
(chloroacetate) in surfactants —
Part 2:
Ionic chromatographic method
1 Scope
This part of ISO 17293 specifies a method for the determination of monochloroacetic acid
(monochloroacetate) and dichloroacetic acid (dichloroacetate) in surfactants by ion chromatographic
method.
The method applies for anionic surfactants such as alkyl (phenyl) ethoxylated carboxylate (AEC) or
amphoteric surfactants such as alkyl imidazoline carboxylate, alkyl dimethyl betaine, and fatty acetyl
propyl dimethyl betaine.
The limit of detection (LOD) is ≤0,01 µg/ml for monochloroacetic acid and ≤0,05 µg/ml for dichloroacetic
acid; and the limit of quantification (LOQ) is ≤0,1 µg/ml for each standard (using a standard solution).
The LOD, at 1 g of sample weight, is ≤1 mg/kg for monochloroacetic acid and ≤5 mg/kg for dichloroacetic
acid; and the LOQ is ≤10 mg/kg for each acid.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are
...