Overview
ISO 862:1984 - "Surface active agents - Vocabulary" is an ISO International Standard (first edition, 1984) that establishes a consistent set of terms and definitions used in the field of surface active agents (surfactants). The document groups terminology by classification (product designation, properties, manufacture, and application) and includes two annexes: Annex A with scientific terms related to surface phenomena and surfactant preparation, and Annex B with general non‑specific terms.
Key topics
ISO 862 organizes and defines commonly used surfactant vocabulary, including:
- Product designation
- Definitions of surface active agent, soap, detergent and related product-type terms.
- Special properties
- Structural properties and classification by ionic character: anionic, cationic, non‑ionic surface active agents.
- Continuous systems and interface properties (liquid–gas, liquid–liquid, liquid–solid).
- Dispersed systems (colloids), rheological properties and properties of dispersed phases.
- Intermolecular actions: surfactant–solvent and surfactant–surface interactions.
- Manufacture
- Terminology for soap manufacture, synthetic surfactant synthesis and raw materials used in detergent formulations.
- Applications
- Terms specific to practical uses such as washing, wetting, foaming, emulsification, flotation and sector‑specific vocabulary (textiles, dry cleaning, paper, leather, petroleum).
- Annexes
- Annex A: scientific terms tied to surface phenomena and surfactant preparation.
- Annex B: general terms not specific to surfactants but widely used in the field.
Applications and practical value
ISO 862 is a vocabulary standard intended to improve clarity and consistency across technical documents, product specifications, labels, research publications and cross‑industry communication. Typical practical uses:
- Standardizing terminology in technical data sheets, safety data sheets and regulatory submissions.
- Ensuring consistent language in R&D reports, scientific papers and laboratory procedures concerning surfactants.
- Supporting procurement, quality control and cross‑disciplinary projects in textile auxiliaries, detergent formulation, dry cleaning, paper and petroleum industries.
- Helping translators, trainers and standards authors adopt uniform definitions for surfactant-related terms.
Who would use this standard
- Surfactant and detergent manufacturers and formulators
- Technical writers and standards developers
- Regulatory and compliance specialists
- R&D chemists, laboratory personnel and product managers in textiles, cleaning, paper, leather and oil sectors
- Educators and translators working with surfactant terminology
Related standards
ISO 862 was prepared by ISO/TC 91 (Surface active agents) and serves as a terminological foundation for other technical standards, test methods and product specifications concerning surfactants and detergents.
Keywords: ISO 862, surface active agents, surfactants vocabulary, surfactant terminology, detergents, soaps, textile auxiliaries, emulsification, foaming, wetting.
