IEC 62321-12-2023 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 62321-12:2023 — Determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products - Part 12: Simultaneous determination – Polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and phthalates in polymers by gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry. This part specifies a reference test method for the simultaneous extraction and quantification of selected brominated flame retardants (PBBs, PBDEs) and four phthalates (DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP) in polymer materials used in electrotechnical products, using ultrasonic‑assisted extraction followed by GC‑MS.

Abstract

IEC 62321‑12:2023 defines a validated procedure to extract target analytes from polymer matrices using ultrasonic‑assisted extraction and to determine them by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‑MS). The method is reported as a reference procedure for simultaneous measurement of polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and four phthalates (di‑isobutyl phthalate DIBP, di‑n‑butyl phthalate DBP, benzylbutyl phthalate BBP, and di‑(2‑ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP) over a reported quantitative range (nominally about 25 mg/kg to 2 000 mg/kg) and has been evaluated on common polymer types (PP, PVC, ABS, ACM, PS, PU and PE).

General information

• Status: International standard (horizontal publication, IEC Guide 108 status).
• Publication date: 10 March 2023.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 13.020.01, 29.100.01, 01.110.
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2023).
• Number of pages: 75 (base IEC publication); note that national/adopted versions (EN/BSI translations or national publications) may show different pagination.

Scope

This document provides a reference test method for the simultaneous determination of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and four specified phthalates (DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP) in polymer materials from electrotechnical products. It specifies sample preparation by ultrasonic‑assisted extraction, analytical separation and detection by GC‑MS, calibration and quality‑control provisions, and reports the validated measurement range and the polymer types on which the method was evaluated. The method is intended as a verification/quantification procedure where simultaneous determination of these analytes in polymers is required.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytes covered: selected PBB congeners, selected PBDE congeners, and four phthalates — DIBP, DBP, BBP and DEHP.
• Sample matrices: polymeric materials commonly used in electrotechnical products (examples validated: PP, PVC, ABS, ACM, PS, PU, PE).
• Sample preparation: ultrasonic‑assisted extraction protocol for simultaneous extraction of flame retardants and phthalates.
• Analytical technique: gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC‑MS) as the reference measurement technique for quantification.
• Quantitative range: method evaluated for concentrations approximately from 25 mg/kg up to 2 000 mg/kg (as reported by the standard).
• Quality control: requirements for calibration, use of internal standards, blanks, and verification to ensure method accuracy and traceability.
• Applicability: intended for laboratories performing compliance, regulatory or product‑conformance testing that require simultaneous measurement of these substance groups in polymers.

Typical use and users

Primary users include accredited analytical laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, environmental and materials testing laboratories, OEMs and suppliers performing restricted‑substance testing, and technical specialists responsible for product compliance and material verification. The method is used when simultaneous confirmation/quantification of the listed flame retardants and phthalates in polymer components is required for product assessment, research, or regulatory support.

Related standards

IEC 62321‑12 is one part of the IEC 62321 series of test methods for determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products. Other parts of the series cover general guidance (62321‑1), mechanical sample preparation (62321‑2), various screening and verification techniques (62321‑3‑1, 3‑2, 3‑3, 3‑4), phthalates and brominated substances by different techniques (62321‑6, 62321‑8, 62321‑9, 62321‑11, etc.), and methods for metals and other regulated substances. The series is maintained by IEC TC 111 and is commonly used together to support substance‑restriction testing workflows.

Keywords

IEC 62321, polymers, GC‑MS, ultrasonic‑assisted extraction, PBB, PBDE, phthalates, DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, restricted substances, electrotechnical products, reference test method.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62321‑12:2023 is Part 12 of the IEC 62321 series; it is a reference test method for the simultaneous determination of certain brominated flame retardants and four phthalates in polymer materials using ultrasonic‑assisted extraction and GC‑MS.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation (ultrasonic extraction), analytical separation and detection by GC‑MS, calibration and QC procedures, and performance/validation information for quantifying PBBs, PBDEs and DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP in a range of polymer matrices and at concentrations roughly from 25 mg/kg to 2 000 mg/kg.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited chemical testing laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, manufacturers and suppliers performing restricted‑substance verification, regulatory authorities for product testing, and technical specialists involved in materials compliance and environmental testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62321‑12:2023 is the current published edition (edition 1.0, published 10 March 2023). As a horizontal IEC publication it has a published stability date indicated by IEC; users should check for any amendments or national adoptions that may update presentation or pagination.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 62321 series (Determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products), which contains multiple parts addressing screening and verification methods for different substance classes and matrices. The series is maintained by IEC TC 111.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are: PBB, PBDE, phthalates, DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, polymers, ultrasonic‑assisted extraction, GC‑MS, IEC 62321, restricted substances, electrotechnical products.