Overview
ISO 8243:2013 - Cigarettes - Sampling defines standardized methods to obtain representative cigarette samples for laboratory testing. The standard describes two sampling modes: sampling at one point in time (instantaneous) and sampling over a period of time (continuous), with different procedures depending on whether sampling is done at the point of sale or at a factory/warehouse. ISO 8243:2013 also explains the statistical basis for evaluating results (including confidence intervals) for key smoke constituents such as nicotine-free dry particulate matter (NFDPM), nicotine and carbon monoxide (CO) when smoked using referenced ISO smoking procedures.
Key topics and requirements
- Two sampling modes: “at one point in time” for single-event appraisals and “over a period of time” for ongoing monitoring (series of sub-period samples).
- Sampling locations: procedures for point-of-sale sampling and for factory/importer warehouse sampling, including distribution of sampling points to reflect retail patterns.
- Sample composition: concepts of increment, sub-increment, laboratory sample, test sample, and test portion to ensure representativeness.
- Sample size guidance: the standard recommends a laboratory sample size (commonly 800 cigarettes) as a practical balance to support multiple analytical determinations.
- Labeling and handling: requirements to record product identity, date, place of purchase, sampling point details and to protect samples against damage, humidity and temperature change.
- Timing: sampling for an “at one time” laboratory sample should be completed as quickly as possible (not exceeding 14 days for point-of-sale sampling).
- Statistical evaluation: guidance on statistical treatment of data, handling outliers and estimating confidence intervals for yields - enabling consistent interpretation of laboratory results and verification of on-pack claims.
Practical applications and users
ISO 8243:2013 is used by:
- Regulatory authorities verifying on-pack yield declarations and monitoring product compliance.
- Tobacco manufacturers and quality control labs for routine product surveillance and production monitoring.
- Importers/distributors ensuring batch conformity upon receipt.
- Analytical laboratories performing standardized smoke constituent determinations and preparing defensible sample chains-of-custody.
Practical benefits include consistent, defensible sampling for NFDPM, nicotine and CO analyses and improved comparability of results across labs and jurisdictions.
Related standards
ISO 8243:2013 references and complements other standards used for testing and statistics:
Keywords: ISO 8243:2013, cigarette sampling, sampling at point of sale, factory sampling, NFDPM, nicotine, CO, confidence intervals, statistical evaluation, laboratory sample.
