ISO 21087-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21087:2019 — Gas analysis — Analytical methods for hydrogen fuel — Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications for road vehicles. This International Standard specifies a validation protocol for analytical methods used to verify the quality of gaseous hydrogen at hydrogen distribution bases and hydrogen refuelling stations for road vehicles using PEM fuel cells, including recommendations for uncertainty budgets, sample integrity and reporting of results.

Abstract

ISO 21087:2019 defines how laboratories should validate analytical methods used to measure impurities in hydrogen supplied for PEM fuel cell road vehicles. It lists suitable analytical techniques mapped to hydrogen grade D (as referenced in ISO 14687), gives guidance on preserving sample integrity during collection and transport, outlines performance characteristics to be assessed in method validation, and recommends how to calculate and report an uncertainty budget for amount fractions. The standard explicitly excludes requirements for on-line (real‑time) monitoring systems.

General information

• Status: Published (current international standard; stage: to be reviewed/revised under ISO procedures).
• Publication date: 26 June 2019 (Edition 1, 2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: Primary ICS 71.100.20 (Gases for industrial application).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2019).
• Number of pages: 17 pages (PDF/print).

Scope

ISO 21087:2019 applies to laboratory analysis performed after sampling of gaseous hydrogen at distribution facilities and refuelling stations supplying PEM fuel cell road vehicles. The standard provides a protocol for validating analytical methods for the impurities listed for hydrogen grade D (ISO 14687), recommendations for calculating uncertainty of amount fractions, and guidance to maintain sample integrity and prepare reports. Online monitoring system requirements are not covered.

Key topics and requirements

• Method validation protocol: defining fit‑for‑purpose criteria and validation steps for analytical methods used to measure hydrogen impurities.
• Performance characteristics: assessment of accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection/quantification, repeatability/reproducibility and robustness for each method.
• Uncertainty budgeting: recommendations for calculating combined uncertainty of amount fractions reported for impurities.
• List of suitable analytical techniques: guidance on techniques appropriate for each impurity specified for hydrogen grade D (as referenced to ISO 14687).
• Sampling integrity and handling: recommendations to avoid contamination or loss of analytes between sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Reporting requirements: required information in analytical reports to ensure traceability and comparability of results (method description, validation data, uncertainty statement, sample provenance).
• Exclusions: does not address on‑line/continuous monitoring system requirements.

Typical use and users

Primary users are testing and calibration laboratories performing post‑sampling analysis of hydrogen; hydrogen distribution and refuelling station operators implementing quality assurance; fuel cell and vehicle manufacturers that rely on verified hydrogen impurity data; regulators and certification bodies auditing hydrogen fuel quality programs; and instrument vendors developing or qualifying analytical methods for trace impurities in hydrogen.

Related standards

ISO 21087:2019 is closely linked to hydrogen fuel quality and refuelling standards, including ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel product specification / impurity limits) and the ISO 19880 series (fuelling station fuel quality control and sampling practice). ISO 19880‑9 (sampling for fuel quality analysis) and ISO 19880‑8 (fuel quality control) are complementary for station sampling and QA workflows; analytical methods validated per ISO 21087 support conformity assessment against ISO 14687 specifications.

Keywords

Hydrogen fuel; gas analysis; PEM fuel cell; fuel quality; method validation; uncertainty budget; sampling integrity; hydrogen refuelling station; impurities; ISO 14687; ISO 19880.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21087:2019 is an ISO International Standard that defines a validation protocol for analytical methods used to verify the chemical quality of gaseous hydrogen supplied to PEM fuel cell road vehicles (laboratory analysis after sampling).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers method validation steps and performance characteristics, recommended analytical techniques for impurities listed for hydrogen grade D, calculation of uncertainty budgets for amount fractions, sample handling recommendations to maintain integrity, and reporting requirements. It does not cover on‑line monitoring systems.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Testing laboratories, hydrogen distribution/refuelling station operators, vehicle and fuel‑cell manufacturers, regulators, conformity assessment bodies and analytical instrument vendors.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 21087:2019 was published in 2019 and is published as the first edition; ISO indicates the document will be subject to periodic review and revision under ISO procedures (stage notes indicate review activity). Users should check national or ISO catalogues for any subsequent amendments or revision work in progress.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of hydrogen‑fuel and fuelling‑station standards developed under ISO/TC 197 and ISO/TC 158 (gas analysis). It complements ISO 14687 (fuel product specification) and the ISO 19880 series (hydrogen fuelling station quality control and sampling).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hydrogen fuel, gas analysis, PEM fuel cell, method validation, impurities, uncertainty budget, sampling, refuelling station, ISO 14687, ISO 19880.