ISO 7926:2026

ISO 7926:2026 is an International Standard from ISO for dehydrated tarragon, specifically Artemisia dracunculus Linnaeus of the methylchavicol type, in whole or cut leaves and powder. It sets the product requirements, sampling, test methods, packing, and marking so producers, laboratories, and buyers can check identity and quality in a consistent way.

What does ISO 7926:2026 specify?

ISO 7926:2026 specifies the requirements for dehydrated tarragon in whole or cut leaves and powder form. It covers the methylchavicol type, also called estragole-type tarragon, and excludes the elemicin-sabinene type.

The document is organized into seven clauses and three annexes:

• Clause 1 Scope
• Clause 2 Normative references
• Clause 3 Terms and definitions
• Clause 4 Requirements
• Clause 5 Sampling
• Clause 6 Test methods
• Clause 7 Packing and marking
• Annex A - Recommendations for storage and transport
• Annex B - Chromatogram
• Annex C - Microscopic examination of dried leaf fragments

What are the key requirements of ISO 7926:2026?

ISO 7926:2026 focuses on product identity, cleanliness, chemical quality, and packaging. In practice, it tells you what the dried herb must look, smell, and test like before it is accepted or sold.

Flavour, odour, and identity

Clause 4.1 requires the tarragon to have the typical aromatic odour and pungent, aniseed-like flavour, and to be free from foreign flavour or odour, especially mustiness. For a buyer or quality manager, that means stale, mould-affected, or otherwise tainted product should be rejected.

Physical cleanliness

Clause 4.2.1 requires the product to be free from rodent and other excreta, whole insects and insect parts, larvae, mouldy material, and insect-defiled product when checked by ISO 927. Clause 4.2.2 limits non-animal foreign matter, and for final consumption the product shall be free from foreign matter. Clause 4.2.3 sets limits for extraneous matter.

Chemical quality

Clause 4.3 gives the chemical requirements in Table 1. The table separates whole/cut leaves from powder and distinguishes sun-dried from artificially dried material for moisture limits. It also sets limits for total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and minimum volatile oil content. In practice, this means laboratory results are used to confirm drying, mineral contamination, and aroma strength.

Chromatographic identity

Clause 4.4 requires the volatile oil from dried leaves, checked by gas chromatography, to contain the main constituents cis-β-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene, trans-anethole, methylchavicol (estragole), and methyleugenol. Annex B gives an example chromatogram and operating conditions. This helps confirm that the product matches methylchavicol-type tarragon.

Sampling and preparation

Clause 5 says to sample according to ISO 948 and prepare the sample according to ISO 2825. Whole product must be ground so it passes through a 1 mm sieve conforming to ISO 565 before the Table 1 tests are run. That matters because uneven particle size can distort test results.

Test methods and packaging

Clause 6 requires conformity testing by the methods referenced in Table 1, and powder samples must also be examined microscopically in accordance with Annex C. Clause 7 requires air-impermeable, clean, sound, dry packaging that protects the product from moisture, loss of volatile matter, and bright light, with loose packing and paper lining. Marking must identify the product, producer or packer, origin, batch, shelf life, best before date, net mass, and the relevant International Standard when claimed.

What terms does ISO 7926:2026 define?

ISO 7926:2026 defines the basic terms used to describe the product and its impurities.

• Dehydrated tarragon - the dried form of Artemisia dracunculus Linnaeus of the methylchavicol type, supplied as whole or cut leaves or powder.
• Foreign matter - visible material that does not belong to the plant, including animal and non-animal contaminants.
• Extraneous matter - visible plant material that is waste from the same species, such as unwanted plant parts.
• Methylchavicol type - the tarragon type identified in the standard as the acceptable product type, also called estragole-type tarragon.

Who uses ISO 7926:2026?

ISO 7926:2026 is used by spice processors, packers, laboratory analysts, buyers, and quality control staff working with dehydrated tarragon. It is also relevant to inspection and procurement teams that need to check authenticity, cleanliness, moisture, ash, volatile oil content, and correct marking before acceptance.

What changed in ISO 7926:2026 from the previous edition?

ISO 7926:2026 replaces ISO 7926:1991 and is described as a technically revised second edition. The changes stated in the document are:

• the normative references were updated
• the moisture limit for sun-dried powdered tarragon was reduced
• the total ash limit was increased
• “best before date” was added to the marking requirements in 7.2

Which standards are used with ISO 7926:2026?

ISO 7926:2026 cites several ISO standards that support sampling, sample preparation, and laboratory testing:

• ISO 565 - gives the sieve opening sizes used when preparing ground samples
• ISO 927 - provides methods for foreign matter and extraneous matter determination
• ISO 928 - provides the method for total ash determination
• ISO 930 - provides the method for acid-insoluble ash determination
• ISO 939 - provides the method for moisture content determination
• ISO 948 - provides the sampling method
• ISO 2825 - provides preparation of a ground sample for analysis
• ISO 6571 - provides the volatile oil determination method by hydrodistillation

What does the ISO 7926:2026 document contain?

ISO 7926:2026 contains product requirements, sampling rules, test-method references, packaging and marking instructions, and three annexes. Annex A gives storage and transport recommendations for protecting dried tarragon from heat, moisture, odour, insects, and cross-infection. Annex B provides a chromatogram and gas chromatographic conditions for checking the volatile oil profile. Annex C gives a microscopic procedure for dried leaf fragments so users can distinguish methylchavicol-type tarragon from elemicin-sabinene-type tarragon.