SIST EN 12139:1999

• Abstract:

  This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the total polyethylene glycol (PEG) content of aromatic and aliphatic non-ionic surface active agents of the type R - (O - C2H4)p - OH, where p is the mean ethylene oxide (EO) value. It applies for concentrations of PEG higher than approximately 0,1 g/100 g of the laboratory sample.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-1999
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: KDS - Cosmetics, chemical disinfectants and surface active agents
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Oct-1999
• Due Date: 01-Oct-1999
• Completion Date: 01-Oct-1999
• Ref Project: EN 12139:1999 - Surface active agents - Determination of the total polyethylene glycol content of non-ionic surface active agents (EO adducts) by HPLC/GPC

• Refers: SIST ISO 607:1995 - Surface active agents and detergents -- Methods of sample division
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: SIST ISO 6353-3:1995 - Reagents for chemical analysis -- Part 3: Specifications -- Second series
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: SIST ISO 6353-2:1995 - Reagents for chemical analysis -- Part 2: Specifications -- First series
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 14960:2007 - Inflatable play equipment - Safety requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 14344:2005 - Child use and care articles - Child seats for cycles - Safety requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: SIST EN ISO 3696:1998 - Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods (ISO 3696:1987)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 62705:2026 - Nuclear facilities - Instrumentation and control important to safety - Radiation monitoring systems (RMS): Characteristics and lifecycle (IEC 62705:2022)
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026

Overview

EN 12139:1999 is a CEN European Standard that defines an analytical method for the determination of total polyethylene glycol (PEG) content in non‑ionic surface active agents (EO adducts) using HPLC/GPC (High‑Performance Liquid Chromatography / Gel Permeation Chromatography). The standard covers aromatic and aliphatic non‑ionic surfactants of the general type R‑(O‑C2H4)p‑OH, where p is the mean ethylene oxide (EO) value. It applies to laboratory samples with PEG concentrations greater than approximately 0.1 g/100 g.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Targets non‑ionic surface active agents (EO adducts) - both aromatic and aliphatic types.
  • Minimum detectable/quantifiable PEG content: around 0.1 g/100 g of sample.
• Analytical technique
  • Method uses HPLC/GPC for separation and quantification of PEG fractions.
  • Focuses on measuring total polyethylene glycol (PEG) rather than individual oligomers.
• Sample type and form
  • Applies to liquid or solid laboratory samples of non‑ionic surfactants formulated as R‑(O‑C2H4)p‑OH.
• Reporting and interpretation
  • Results are intended for quality control and specification compliance; reporting conventions follow standard analytical practice (chromatographic separation, integration, calibration).
• Standards context
  • This is a CEN (European) normative document and aligns with ICS classification for surface active agents.

Applications and users

• Quality control laboratories in surfactant, detergent, cosmetic, and chemical manufacturing - for batch release and supplier verification.
• Formulation chemists who need to control PEG content in non‑ionic surfactants to achieve consistent performance in detergents, emulsifiers, and personal care products.
• Regulatory and compliance teams assessing ingredient composition against labels, safety data sheets, or regional requirements.
• Raw material suppliers verifying the EO (ethylene oxide) adduct composition and PEG levels before shipment.
• Analytical service providers offering chromatographic analysis (HPLC/GPC) for industrial clients.

Related standards

• Other CEN/ISO standards and national methods covering surfactant characterization, EO adduct analysis, or chromatographic determination of polymeric impurities are commonly used alongside EN 12139:1999 for comprehensive quality assessment.

Keywords: EN 12139:1999, surface active agents, non‑ionic surfactants, EO adducts, polyethylene glycol (PEG), HPLC/GPC, chromatographic determination, PEG content, quality control.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Grenzflächenaktive Stoffe - Bestimmung des Gesamtgehaltes an Polyethylenglycol von nichtionischen grenzflächenaktiven Stoffen (EO-Addukten) mit HPLC/GPCAgents de surface - Détermination de la teneur totale en polyéthylene glycol des agents de surface non ioniques (condensats OE) par CLHP/CPGSurface active agents - Determination of the total polyethylene glycol content of non-ionic surface active agents
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