Overview
ISO 4072:1982 - "Green coffee in bags - Sampling" defines a standardized method for taking samples from consignments of green (unroasted) coffee shipped in ten bags or more. Its purpose is to obtain representative samples for contract verification, quality control, arbitration and laboratory testing. The standard sets out definitions, administrative arrangements, required equipment, sampling increments, sample preparation, packing and marking, plus storage and transport precautions.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to consignments of green coffee in bags (see ISO 3509 for vocabulary). Intended for lots presumed to be of roughly uniform character.
- Personnel and documentation: Sampling must be performed by experienced or trained samplers; a written sampling record (procès-verbal) is required, noting any damaged bags, environmental conditions and relevant observations.
- Equipment: Use a coffee trier as specified in ISO 6666 to extract beans through the bag wall without opening it.
- Increment size: Elementary increments are 30 ± 6 g of green coffee taken from a single bag.
- Number of bags to sample: Unless a contract states otherwise, sample at least 10 bags when the lot contains 10–100 bags, and at least 10% of bags when the lot exceeds 100 bags.
- Composite samples:
- Global sample: At least 1 500 g, created by aggregating the elementary increments.
- Global mixed sample: The global sample mixed thoroughly before subsampling.
- Laboratory sample: At least 300 g, taken from the mixed global sample for testing.
- Handling, packing and marking:
- Containers and packaging must be clean, dry and inert (no odor or flavor transfer).
- Samples for moisture or water-sensitive tests must be placed in airtight, fully filled containers and hermetically sealed.
- Samples must be labeled with date, sampler name/employer, transport or contract number, transport vessel, location, marks/identification, number of bags and sample mass.
- Storage and transport:
- Laboratory samples should be dispatched promptly and normally within 48 hours of sampling.
- Retain the remainder of the mixed global sample (properly labeled) until the buyer accepts the consignment.
Applications and users
ISO 4072 is used by:
- Coffee traders, exporters and importers for contract compliance checks
- Quality control and laboratory personnel preparing test samples
- Inspection and arbitration bodies in trade disputes
- Warehousing and logistics teams managing sample integrity during transport and storage
Adopting ISO 4072 ensures representative, reproducible sampling and supports reliable test results for moisture, grading and defect analysis.
Related standards
- ISO 6666 - Coffee triers (instrument specification)
- ISO 3509 - Coffee and derived products - Vocabulary
Keywords: ISO 4072, green coffee sampling, coffee in bags sampling, coffee trier, sampling procedure, laboratory sample, coffee quality control, coffee trade.
