Overview
ISO 4719:2012 defines quality characteristics for the essential oil of spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia Medikus), Spanish type. Published as the third edition in 2012 by ISO/TC 54, the standard specifies physical, organoleptic and chromatographic requirements to facilitate assessment of oil quality and support consistent trade, testing and safety information.
Key topics and requirements
The standard sets measurable criteria and referenced test methods for spike lavender essential oil, including:
- Appearance & Colour: Clear mobile liquid; light yellow to orange-yellow.
- Odour: Characteristic, earthy and more or less camphoraceous.
- Physical properties:
- Relative density at 20 °C: 0.894 – 0.907 (ISO 279)
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.461 – 1.468 (ISO 280)
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: –7° to +2° (ISO 592)
- Acid value: Maximum 2.0 (ISO 1242)
- Miscibility in ethanol (70% v/v): solution with 1 volume oil in ≤3 volumes ethanol (ISO 875)
- Chromatographic profile (GC): Gas chromatography (ISO 11024) is used to identify and quantify representative components. Required component ranges (examples):
- 1,8‑Cineole: 16.0–39.0%
- Linalool: 34.0–50.0%
- Camphor: 8.0–16.0%
- Limonene: 0.5–3.0%
- plus α‑terpineol, trans‑α‑bisabolene and linalyl acetate (not detectable to 1.6%)
- Flashpoint (informative): Mean value ≈ +60 °C (Setaflash) for safety/reference (see Annex B).
- Sampling & testing: Minimum test sample 25 ml (ISO 212). Specific test methods are referenced throughout.
Applications
ISO 4719:2012 is practical for:
- Essential oil producers and distillers: to verify product conformity and batch quality.
- Analytical laboratories: to perform standardized GC profiles and physical tests required for specification compliance.
- Buyers, formulators and cosmetic/pharmaceutical manufacturers: to ensure ingredient authenticity and safety.
- Regulatory, transport and insurance stakeholders: for product classification, labeling, storage and hazard information (flashpoint data).
- Traders and certifiers: to support specification clauses in contracts and quality certificates.
Related standards
ISO 4719 references several complementary ISO documents for methods and handling:
Using ISO 4719:2012 helps ensure consistent quality assessment, reproducible gas chromatography profiles, and clear safety/handling information for spike lavender essential oil in commercial and regulatory contexts.
