Overview
ISO 3515:2002 - "Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)" - is an International Standard that defines quality characteristics and test methods for essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia (spontaneous and clonal lavender). The standard provides specific physical, chemical and chromatographic criteria to facilitate consistent quality assessment of oil of lavender from various origins (France, Bulgaria, Russian Federation, Australia, etc.).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Covers oils from spontaneous (population) lavender and clonal lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.).
- Organoleptic and physical characteristics: Appearance (clear mobile liquid), pale yellow colour, characteristic fresh floral odour.
- Analytical parameters (specified at 20 °C):
- Relative density and refractive index ranges (origin-dependent).
- Optical rotation ranges (origin-dependent).
- Miscibility in ethanol (70–75% v/v) requirements.
- Maximum acid value and specified ester values (expressed as linalyl acetate).
- Chromatographic profile: Gas chromatography (GC) is normative - a defined set of representative components (e.g., linalool, linalyl acetate, cis/trans-β-ocimene, terpinen-4-ol, lavandulol) and their acceptable ranges by origin form the standard’s GC fingerprint for authentication.
- Sampling and test methods: Minimum sample volume (25 ml) and references to ISO methods for density, refractive index, optical rotation, ester and acid values, GC profile preparation and utilization (e.g., ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 709, ISO 1242, ISO 11024 series).
- Packaging and storage: Guidance referenced to ISO/TR 210 (packaging, conditioning, storage) and labelling standards.
Practical applications
- Ensures consistent quality control and batch release testing for producers of lavender essential oil.
- Provides an authoritative specification for purchasing, trading and certification of oil of lavender in international commerce.
- Supports analytical laboratories in setting up validated GC methods and reference chromatographic profiles for identity, purity and origin verification.
- Useful for perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy and pharmaceutical manufacturers who require compliant raw-material specifications.
- Helps detect adulteration or substandard material by comparing test results to the standard’s normative chromatographic profile and chemical limits.
- Essential oil producers and distillers
- Analytical and QC laboratories
- Cosmetic, fragrance and aromatherapy manufacturers
- Traders, importers/exporters and procurement teams
- Regulatory bodies and certification organizations
Related standards
ISO 3515 refers to and should be used alongside:
- ISO 212 (Sampling)
- ISO 279, 280, 592, 709, 1242 (physical/chemical test methods)
- ISO 11024-1/2 (chromatographic profile guidance)
- ISO/TR 210 (packaging, storage, labelling)
Keywords: ISO 3515, oil of lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, essential oil standards, chromatographic profile, gas chromatography, linalyl acetate, quality assessment, refractive index, relative density.
