ISO/TC 146/SC 6/WG 13 - Joint ISO/TC 146/SC 6 - ISO/TC 22 WG: Determination of volatile organic compounds in car interiors

This document describes and specifies the whole vehicle test chamber, the vapour sampling assembly and the operating conditions for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs; for more information see Annex E), and carbonyl compounds in vehicle cabin air. There are three measurements performed: one (for VOCs and carbonyl compounds) during the simulation of ambient conditions (ambient mode) at standard conditions of 23 °C with no air exchange; a second only for the measurement of formaldehyde at elevated temperatures (parking mode); and a third for VOCs and carbonyl compounds simulating driving after the vehicle has been parked in the sun starting at elevated temperatures (driving mode). For the simulation of the mean sun irradiation, fixed irradiation in the whole vehicle test chamber is employed. The VOC method is valid for measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs in a concentration range of sub-micrograms per cubic metre up to several milligrams per cubic metre. Using the principles described in this method, some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) can also be analysed. Compatible compounds are those which can be trapped and released from the Tenax TA®1) sorbent tubes described in ISO 16000‑6, which includes VOCs ranging in volatility from n-C6 to n-C16. The sampling and analysis procedure for formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds is performed by collecting air on to cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and subsequent analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection by ultraviolet absorption. Formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds can be determined in the approximate concentration range 1 μg/m3 to 1 mg/m3. This method applicable to trucks and buses, as defined in ISO 3833:1977 3.1.1 to 3.1.6. This document describes: a) Transport and storage of the test vehicle until the start of the test. b) Conditioning of the surroundings of the test vehicle and the test vehicle itself as well as the whole vehicle test chamber. c) Conditioning of the test vehicle prior to measurements. d) Simulation of ambient air conditions (ambient mode). e) Formaldehyde sampling at elevated temperatures (parking mode). f) Simulation of driving after the test vehicle has been parked in the sun (driving mode). 1)Tenax TA® is the trade name of a product supplied by Buchem. This information is given for the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

ISO 12219-6:2017 describes a qualitative and quantitative analytical method for vapour-phase organic compounds released from car trim materials under simulated real use conditions, i.e. a vehicle is parked for several hours in direct sunlight. Under these conditions, some interior parts and materials reach higher temperatures than 65 °C (ISO 12219‑4), e.g. a dashboard can reach temperatures up to 120 °C. This document can be implemented as an optional addition to ISO 12219‑4 so that VOC, volatile carbonyl and SVOC testing can all be completed within one day. This part has been added to gain insight into the emission behaviour and emission potential of selected vehicle interior parts and materials exposed to higher temperatures. (By convention, 100 °C is set as the higher temperature.) The test is performed in small emission test chambers (small chambers). These small chambers are intended to provide a transfer function for vehicle level emissions. This method is intended for evaluating new car interior trim components but can, in principle, be applied to used car components. The specified analytical procedure for SVOCs and semi-volatile carbonyls is ISO 16000‑6. ISO 12219-6:2017 is complementary to existing standards[1],[2] and provides third party test laboratories and manufacturing industry with an approach for - identifying the effect of real use conditions on specific VOC and SVOC emissions data, - comparing emissions from various assemblies with regards to specific VOC and SVOC emissions, - evaluating and sorting specific assemblies regarding specific VOC and SVOC emissions data, - providing specific VOC and SVOC emissions data to develop and verify a correlation between component level methods and in vehicle air quality and - evaluating prototype, "low-emission" assemblies during development. The method described can be exclusively performed as a high temperature test or it can be performed in combination with the determination of VOCs at 65 °C in one run, which is described in ISO 12219‑4.

ISO 12219-7:2017 specifies a standardized and objective process to analyse and determine the olfactory behaviour of components, semi-finished products and materials fitted in the interior of road vehicles. The odour determination is either performed by using samples from the interior air of road vehicles or from emission test chamber air. This document describes an olfactory screening method based on different scales for the olfactory assessment which are described in the annexes. Other olfactory assessments, e.g. according to ISO 16000‑28, are also possible but are not the focus of this document.

ISO 12219-5:2014 specifies a chamber based, static headspace type method for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds which may diffuse from vehicle interior unit components into the cabin air. The chamber emission test is intended to provide characteristic emission of unit component to car interior of assembly level emission. It also specifies the emission test chamber, preparation of the test specimen, connection of the vapour sampling devices and test conditions. This method is valid for new car interior unit components intended for vehicles, and can also be used for car interior unit components disassembled from assembly of car interior trim or used cars. A set of multi-unit components could be applicable according to the test purpose. A dynamic mode operation of emission chamber could be applied if corroborative information of the unit component emission between this method and small chamber method (ISO12219-4:2013) is desired. The specified analytical procedure for VOCs (ISO 16000-6) is valid for the determination of VOCs ranging in concentration from sub-µg/m3 to several mg/m3. The method is applicable to the measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs ranging in volatility from n-C6 to n-C16. Some very volatile compounds (VVOC) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) can also be analysed (see informative Annex D of ISO 16000-6:2011). ISO 12219-5:2014 is complementary to existing standards and provides third party test laboratories and manufacturing industry with an approach for: - comparing emissions from various unit components in assembly with regards to specific VOC emissions, - evaluating and sorting specific unit components regarding specific VOC emissions data, - providing specific VOC emissions data to develop and verify the correlation between a material-based method and an assembly-based method, - evaluating prototype, "low-emission" unit components during development.

ISO 12219-4:2013 specifies a qualitative and quantitative analytical method for vapour-phase organic compounds (volatile and some semi-volatile) released from car trim materials under simulated real use conditions using small emission test chambers (small chamber). Small chambers are intended to provide a transfer function to vehicle level emissions. This method is intended for evaluating new car interior trim components but can, in principle, be applied to used car components. Target compounds include VOCs (conventionally defined as organic compounds in the volatility range n-hexane to n-hexadecane) and volatile carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde. The specified analytical procedure for VOCs is ISO 16000‑6 and for formaldehyde and some other light carbonyl compounds is ISO 16000‑3. ISO 12219-4:2013 is complementary to ASTM D5116 and VDA 276, and provides third party test laboratories and manufacturing industry with an approach for: a) identifying the effect of real use conditions on specific VOC emissions data; b) comparing emissions from various assemblies with regards to specific VOC emissions; c) evaluating and sorting specific assemblies regarding specific VOC emissions data; d) providing specific VOC emissions data to develop and verify a correlation between material level methods and the vehicle level method; e) evaluating prototype, "low-emission" assemblies during development.

ISO 12219-1:2012 describes and specifies the whole vehicle test chamber, the vapour sampling assembly and the operating conditions for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbonyl compounds in vehicle cabin air. There are three measurements performed: one (for VOCs and carbonyl compounds) during the simulation of ambient conditions (ambient mode) at standard conditions of 23 °C with no air exchange; a second only for the measurement of formaldehyde at elevated temperatures (parking mode); and a third for VOCs and carbonyl compounds simulating driving after the vehicle has been parked in the sun starting at elevated temperatures (driving mode). For the simulation of the mean sun irradiation, a fixed irradiation in the whole vehicle test chamber is employed. The VOC method is valid for measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs in a concentration range of sub-micrograms per cubic metre up to several milligrams per cubic metre. Using the principles described in this method, some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) can also be analysed. Compatible compounds are those which can be trapped and released from the Tenax TA®[1] sorbent tubes described in ISO 16000‑6, which includes VOCs ranging in volatility from n-C6 to n-C16. The sampling and analysis procedure for formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds is performed by collecting air on to cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and subsequent analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection by ultraviolet absorption. Formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds can be determined in the approximate concentration range 1 µg/m3 to 1 mg/m3. The method is valid for passenger cars, as defined in ISO 3833. ISO 12219-1:2012 describes: a) transport and storage of the test vehicles until the start of the test; b) conditioning for the surroundings of the test vehicle and the test vehicle itself as well as the whole vehicle test chamber; c) conditioning of the test vehicle prior to measurements; d) simulation of ambient air conditions (ambient mode); e) formaldehyde sampling at elevated temperatures (parking mode); f) simulation of driving after the test vehicle has been parked in the sun (driving mode). Buses, motor caravans, and trucks, in accordance with the descriptions given in ISO 3833, are excluded. [1] Tenax TA® is the trade name of a product supplied by Buchem. This information is given for the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of the product named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

ISO 12219-3:2012 specifies a fast, qualitative and semiquantitative screening method for vapour-phase organic compounds (volatile and some semi-volatile) released from vehicle trim materials under simulated real-use conditions using micro-scale test chambers. This method is intended for evaluating new car interior trim components but can, in principle, also be applied to used car components. Target analytes include VOCs (conventionally defined as organic compounds in the volatility range of n-hexane to n-hexadecane) and volatile carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde. The specified analytical procedure for VOCs is ISO 16000‑6 and for formaldehyde and some other light carbonyl compounds is ISO 16000‑3. ISO 12219-3:2012 provides third party test laboratories and manufacturing industry with a cost-effective approach for: a) monitoring and screening VOC emissions as part of routine quality control; b) monitoring product uniformity or conformity between formal certification tests; c) comparing emissions from products within a range (e.g. different colours or patterns); d) evaluating prototype, "low-emission" materials or products during development.

ISO 12219-2:2012 specifies the sampling bag test method for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds which may diffuse from vehicle interior parts into the air inside road vehicles. This method is intended for evaluating and screening new vehicle interior parts and materials such as seats, the instrument panel, ceiling materials and so on. The test method specified in ISO 12219-2:2012 specifies a procedure for screening of VOCs, formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds using sampling bags. ISO 12219-2:2012 provides third party test laboratories and manufacturing industry with a cost-effective approach for: a) evaluating and screening prototype, "low-diffusion" materials or products during development; b) comparing diffusions from products within a range (e.g. different colours or patterns). ISO 12219-2:2012 specifies the design, construction, performance, evaluation, and use of sampling bags for testing vapour-phase organic emissions diffused from vehicle interior parts.