Overview
ISO 3518:2022 - Essential oil of sandalwood (Santalum album L.) is the international standard that specifies key characteristics and test methods to assess the quality of sandalwood essential oil. It covers physical and organoleptic properties, chromatographic profile requirements, sampling, flashpoint information and packaging/labeling references to help producers, laboratories and buyers verify authenticity and consistency of Santalum album oil.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Defines essential oil obtained by steam distillation of Santalum album L. heartwood and the features required for quality assessment.
- Physical and organoleptic parameters:
- Appearance: clear, slightly viscous liquid
- Colour: almost colourless to golden yellow
- Odour: characteristic, sweet, woody and persistent
- Quantitative test limits:
- Relative density at 20 °C: 0.968 to 0.983 (ISO 279)
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.503 to 1.509 (ISO 280)
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: −21° to −12° (ISO 592)
- Miscibility in ethanol 70 %: ≤ five volumes ethanol to clear one volume oil (ISO 875)
- Ester value: maximum 10 (ISO 709); saponification time 1 h
- Primary free alcohol (as santalol): minimum 90 %
- Chromatographic profile (gas chromatography, per ISO 11024 series):
- Z-α-Santalol: 41.0–55.0 %
- Z-β-Santalol: 16.0–24.0 %
- E,E-Farnesol: not detected to 1.0 % (max)
- Z-Lanceol: not detected to 2.0 % (max)
- Note: the standard provides typical chromatograms and recommends using a polar GC column (resolution on apolar columns found unsatisfactory).
- Flashpoint: informative mean value +138 °C (measured with Luchaire apparatus); Annex B provides context for safety/transport.
- Sampling & packaging:
Applications and users
ISO 3518:2022 is used for:
- Quality control in essential oil production and refinement
- Laboratory testing and specification setting by analytical labs and contract testers
- Procurement and supplier verification for perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy and flavour industries
- Regulatory, customs and transport safety assessments (flashpoint guidance)
- Authentication and anti-adulteration screening using the defined chromatographic profile
Primary users include essential oil producers, perfumers, cosmetic and fragrance manufacturers, analytical chemists, regulatory bodies and testing laboratories.
Related standards
Normative and informative references include: ISO/TS 210, ISO/TS 211, ISO 212, ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 709, ISO 875, ISO 11024 series, ISO/TR 11018 and ISO/TR 21092 - all relevant when implementing ISO 3518:2022 for comprehensive testing and handling of sandalwood essential oil.
