Overview
ISO 212:2007 - Essential oils - Sampling provides general rules for the representative sampling of essential oils for laboratory expertise. The standard defines terms (batch, container, increment, sample), inspection and handling steps, minimum sampling quantities, packaging and labelling requirements, sample conservation and dispatch, and the contents of the sampling report. It aims to ensure samples reflect the original batch composition without alteration.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability
- Applies to sampling essential oils to obtain laboratory quantities suitable for organoleptic, physical and chemical analysis.
- If a delivery contains a high content of water or impurities, the procedure may only apply to the oil fraction free from water/impurities.
- Inspection
- Check delivery condition, container integrity, guarantee systems (seals, caps), and contractual markings. Preserve guarantee systems on opening.
- Preparation
- Shake containers appropriate to volume/shape. Crystallized or thick oils should be gently warmed to dissolve crystals without altering composition.
- Sampling method
- Perform sampling immediately after shaking.
- Take three equal increments per container at specified heights:
- First at 20% of container height
- Second between 40%–60% height
- Third at >95% height
- Mix the three increments; after shaking, withdraw 30 ml as the laboratory sample (contractual variation for very expensive oils).
- Number of laboratory samples per container equals number of parts concerned plus a reference sample.
- Apparatus
- Use inert materials (glass, stainless probes, pipettes) that do not affect the oil.
- Packaging & labelling
- Use glass or inert, light-protective bottles; clean and dry recipients; leave ~2 ml headspace; use non-reactive stoppers or crown tops; seal samples to show tamper evidence and ensure airtightness.
- Labels must include sampling date, product nature/origin, supplier name, batch number, and sample serial number; mark in indelible ink.
- Conservation & dispatch
- Store samples protected from light at a temperature that preserves quality; pack to meet postal/transport rules.
- Sampling report
- Must record supplier ID, product marks, origin, batch number, quantity, container count and nature, presence of guarantee systems, sampling date/time, sampler name/signature/function, physical condition, technique used and any influencing circumstances.
Applications and users
- Practical for essential oil producers, exporters/importers, quality control laboratories, regulatory authorities, and forensic/commodity experts.
- Useful for ensuring representative, legally defensible samples for quality control, contract disputes, certification, and compositional analysis.
Related standards
- Prepared by ISO/TC 54 (Essential oils). For analysis and testing methods, consult ISO documents and national standards on essential oil characterization and laboratory testing (refer to ISO catalogue for specific analytical standards).
