Overview
EN ISO 17881-2:2016 - Textiles: Determination of certain flame retardants - Part 2: Phosphorus flame retardants - specifies a laboratory test method for identifying and quantifying selected phosphorus-based flame retardants in textile products using HPLC‑MS/MS (high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). The method is applicable to all kinds of textile products and covers sample preparation, extraction, instrumental analysis, calculation and reporting. Note: for tris(1-aziridinyl) phosphineoxide (TEPA), only the unbonded (extractable) fraction is determined.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and analytes: Targets include common phosphorus flame retardants such as TRIS (tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate), TEPA, and TCEP (tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate) (CAS numbers provided in the standard).
- Sample preparation:
- Representative specimen: ~1.00 ± 0.01 g of textile cut into small pieces.
- Ultrasonic extraction with acetone: first extraction 20 ml acetone, 40 °C for 40 min; second extraction 20 ml acetone, 40 °C for 20 min.
- Combine extracts, evaporate to near dryness, reconstitute in 2 ml acetonitrile and filter (0.45 µm).
- Instrumental analysis (HPLC‑MS/MS):
- Typical mobile phases: 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate (Eluent 1) and acetonitrile (Eluent 2).
- Example column and gradient provided (e.g., C18 100×2.0 mm, 5 µm; flow 0.2 ml/min; injection 5 µl).
- Detection by tandem quadrupole MS in MRM mode, ESI positive ionization (example spray voltage 5 500 V, spray temp ~400 °C).
- Annex A lists typical transitions and detection limits.
- Quantification & calculation:
- Calibration curve from working standards (at least five points).
- Results expressed as mass ratio (µg/g) using concentration in specimen solution, blank correction, final volume and specimen mass.
- Reporting: Must reference ISO 17881-2:2016, identify the sample, report each flame retardant content and note any deviations.
Applications and users
- Who uses it:
- Textile testing laboratories and analytical chemists.
- Manufacturers and suppliers performing quality control for flame retardant treatments.
- Regulatory bodies, product safety teams, and certification bodies assessing compliance with chemical restrictions or labelling requirements.
- Importers and retailers performing due diligence on textile shipments.
- Practical uses:
- Routine screening and quantification of phosphorus flame retardants in fabrics, garments, upholstery and technical textiles.
- Supporting conformity assessments, exposure assessments, and product safety documentation.
- Investigations where bonded vs. unbonded (extractable) flame retardant content is relevant (e.g., TEPA).
Related standards (if applicable)
- ISO 17881 series - Part 1: Brominated flame retardants (ISO 17881‑1) - complements Part 2 for other classes of flame retardants.
- The method is developed by ISO/TC 38 (Textiles) and adopted by CEN as EN ISO 17881-2:2016.
Keywords: EN ISO 17881-2:2016, phosphorus flame retardants, textiles, HPLC‑MS/MS, flame retardant testing, ultrasonic extraction, TRIS, TEPA, TCEP.
