ISO 13741-2:2026
(Main)Plastics/rubber — Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography — Part 2: Headspace method
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies a method for the determination of residual monomers and other volatile organic components (unsaturated or saturated) in aqueous polymer dispersions and lattices, 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.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Sep-2026
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 61/SC 9 - Thermoplastic materials
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 61/SC 9/WG 14 - Polymer dispersions
- Current Stage
- 6060 - International Standard published
- Start Date
- 01-Oct-2026
- Due Date
- 28-Sep-2026
- Completion Date
- 01-Oct-2026
Overview
ISO 13741-2:2026, Plastics/rubber - Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography - Part 2: Headspace method, specifies a headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) method for measuring residual monomers and other volatile organic components in aqueous polymer dispersions, latices, and related products.
This ISO standard is designed for analytical laboratories and manufacturers that need a reliable way to assess volatile substances in polymer-based materials. It supports testing for compounds such as acrylic and methacrylic esters, butadiene, styrene, vinyl acetate, and by-products such as ethylbenzene.
The standard is especially relevant where accurate control of trace volatiles is needed for quality assurance, product consistency, and regulatory compliance.
Key Topics
ISO 13741-2:2026 focuses on a practical laboratory workflow for capillary-column gas chromatography using the headspace technique. The document covers the complete testing process, including:
- Sample preparation for polymer dispersions and latices
- Calibration and use of standard solutions
- HS-GC analysis with an internal standard approach
- Calculation of target compound concentrations
- Test reporting requirements for documenting results
The method uses a gas chromatograph equipped for headspace sampling and is intended for compounds that can be evaluated by response factors. It also recognizes the need for proper identification of unknown peaks using supporting analytical techniques when required.
For users seeking an ISO standard for residual monomer analysis in plastics and rubber, this part of the ISO 13741 series provides a structured and widely applicable laboratory method.
Applications
ISO 13741-2:2026 is useful in a range of industrial and analytical settings, including:
- Polymer dispersion testing
- Latex product quality control
- Rubber and plastics manufacturing
- Routine laboratory analysis of volatile organic compounds
- Health and environmental monitoring of residual monomers
Typical use cases include checking materials such as styrene-butadiene dispersions, nitrile latices, and acrylic dispersions. The standard supports organizations that need consistent measurement of low-level volatiles in finished materials and intermediate products.
Because the method is based on headspace GC, it is well suited to laboratories looking for an efficient approach to volatile compound determination in complex polymer matrices.
Related Standards
ISO 13741-2:2026 is part of the broader ISO 13741 series on determination of residual monomers and other organic components by gas chromatography. It also references several related standards that support the method:
- ISO 124 - Latex, rubber - Determination of total solids content
- ISO 472 - Plastics - Vocabulary
- ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods
- ISO 3899 - Rubber - Nitrile latex - Determination of residual acrylonitrile content
For laboratories working in plastics and rubber analysis, ISO 13741-2:2026 is a valuable standard for headspace gas chromatography, volatile organic compound determination, and residual monomer testing.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 04-Nov-2023
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Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 13741-2:2026 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Plastics/rubber — Determination of residual monomers and other organic components by capillary-column gas chromatography — Part 2: Headspace method". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for the determination of residual monomers and other volatile organic components (unsaturated or saturated) in aqueous polymer dispersions and lattices, 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.
This document specifies a method for the determination of residual monomers and other volatile organic components (unsaturated or saturated) in aqueous polymer dispersions and lattices, 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.
ISO 13741-2:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.040.10 - Latex and raw rubber; 83.080.01 - Plastics in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 13741-2:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 13741-2:1998. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 13741-2:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 13741-2
Second edition
Plastics/rubber — Determination
2026-10
of residual monomers and other
organic components by capillary-
column gas chromatography —
Part 2:
Headspace method
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
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Email: copyright@iso.org
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Published in Switzerland
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 lattices .6
11 Test report . 6
Annex A (informative) Relative correction factors. 7
Annex B (informative) Typical gas chromatograms . 8
Bibliography .11
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.
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 lattices. 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.
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 lattices, 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.
5.2 Internal standard, methyl iso-butyl ketone. Other organic compounds not present in the sample
could also be used (e.g. dioxane). The
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