Overview
EN ISO 862:1995 (ISO 862:1984/Cor 1:1993) is a trilingual vocabulary standard published under CEN/ISO that defines terms frequently used in the field of surface active agents (surfactants). It provides harmonized English, French and Russian terminology and groups entries by functional and structural classification. Prepared by ISO/TC 91, the standard replaces the earlier ISO/R 862-1971 and includes Corrigendum 1:1993.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Establishes clear, internationally consistent definitions for surfactants and related concepts; intended as a reference vocabulary rather than a test or performance specification.
- Product designation: Definitions such as surface active agent, detergent, soap, and related naming conventions.
- Special properties: Terms describing surfactant behavior - e.g., anionic, cationic, structural properties, and interfacial activity.
- System classifications:
- Continuous systems (general physical and interface properties: liquid–gas, liquid–liquid, liquid–solid)
- Dispersed systems (colloidal and dispersed-phase properties, rheology)
- Intermolecular actions (surfactant–solvent and surfactant–surface interactions)
- Manufacture and raw materials: Vocabulary covering soap production, synthetic surfactant manufacture and detergent formulations.
- Applications: Standardized terms for key end‑uses including washing, wetting, foaming, emulsification, flotation, textile auxiliaries, dry‑cleaning, paper, leather and petroleum industry uses.
- Annexes:
- Annex A - scientific terms directly related to surface phenomena and surfactant preparation.
- Annex B - general terms non‑specific to surfactants but widely used in the field.
Applications and Who Uses It
EN ISO 862 is practical for:
- R&D chemists and formulation scientists standardizing technical language in surfactant research and product development.
- Manufacturers of soaps, detergents, wetting agents and textile auxiliaries for consistent labeling and specifications.
- Quality, regulatory and procurement teams referencing harmonized terms in specifications, safety data sheets and contracts.
- Standards writers, translators and technical editors preparing multilingual documentation and ensuring consistent terminology across markets.
- Academia and testing laboratories using a shared vocabulary when reporting results or comparing literature.
Related Standards
- Published under ISO/TC 91 (Surface active agents) and referenced as ISO 862-1984 (E/F/R) with Corrigendum 1:1993. It supersedes ISO/R 862-1971. For performance, test methods and safety requirements, consult other ISO/CEN standards addressing analytical methods, product testing and classification.
Keywords: EN ISO 862, ISO 862, surface active agents, surfactants vocabulary, surfactant terminology, detergent vocabulary, trilingual standard, textile surfactants, dry cleaning terminology.
