IEC 62321-6-2015 PDF

Full title and description

Determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products - Part 6: Polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in polymers by gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS). Specifies a normative GC‑MS method and informative alternative techniques (IAMS and HPLC) for determination and quantification of PBB and PBDE in polymeric materials used in electrical and electronic products.

Abstract

IEC 62321‑6:2015 provides laboratory procedures, instrumentation requirements, quality assurance, precision data and test reporting requirements for measuring polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in polymers of electrotechnical products. The document makes the GC‑MS technique normative and also describes ion attachment mass spectrometry (IAMS) and high‑pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as informative alternatives. It is intended as a horizontal environmental test standard supporting regulatory and conformity assessment activities (for example RoHS‑related substance control).

General information

• Status: Published / Active (1st edition)
• Publication date: 5 June 2015
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• ICS / categories: 13.020.01, 43.040.10
• Edition / version: 1.0 (First edition)
• Number of pages: 116

Scope

This part of IEC 62321 specifies procedures for the determination of PBB and PBDE in polymers used in electrical and electronic products. It covers sampling, sample preparation, reagents, apparatus, the normative GC‑MS procedure for extraction and analysis, calculation of concentrations, precision data, quality assurance and control, and test reporting. Two additional informative techniques (IAMS and HPLC) are described in annexes as alternative approaches. IEC 62321‑6:2015 is a structural update within the IEC 62321 series and a partial replacement of earlier text in IEC 62321:2008.

Key topics and requirements

• Normative GC‑MS analytical method for extraction, separation and quantification of PBB and PBDE congeners in polymer matrices.
• Informative descriptions of ion attachment mass spectrometry (IAMS) and high‑pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques as alternative approaches.
• Requirements for reagents, calibration standards, internal standards and preparation of calibration curves.
• Sampling and sample preparation procedures specific to polymeric components of electrotechnical products.
• Instrumental parameters, chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometric detection settings needed to achieve stated limits of detection and quantification.
• Precision and reproducibility data, and recommended quality assurance/quality control measures (blanks, spikes, reference materials).
• Guidance on calculation of PBB/PBDE concentrations and presentation of results in test reports.
• Annex material: IAMS technique description, IAMS instrument diagram, and HPLC method description (informative).

Typical use and users

Used by chemical and materials testing laboratories, in‑house compliance and quality teams at electronics manufacturers, component suppliers, conformity assessment bodies, regulatory authorities and environmental consultants. Typical applications include RoHS and restricted‑substances compliance testing, product stewardship, supplier screening, failure/root‑cause investigations where brominated flame retardant content must be measured or verified.

Related standards

IEC 62321‑6 is part of the IEC 62321 series on determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products. Related parts include IEC 62321‑1 (introduction and overview), IEC 62321‑2 (sample preparation), IEC 62321‑3‑1 and 3‑2 (screening methods), IEC 62321‑3‑3/3‑4 (additional screening/thermal desorption variants), IEC 62321‑4 (mercury), IEC 62321‑5 (Cd, Pb, Cr), IEC 62321‑7‑1 and 7‑2 (specific brominated/other substances), and IEC 62321‑8. The standard is routinely used alongside regulatory frameworks addressing hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (for example RoHS implementations and analogous national requirements).

Keywords

PBB; PBDE; brominated flame retardants; GC‑MS; IAMS; HPLC; polymers; RoHS; restricted substances; electrotechnical products; analytical method; test method; chemical analysis; quality assurance.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62321‑6:2015 is an international test standard that specifies methods to determine polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in polymer materials from electrical and electronic products, with GC‑MS as the normative technique.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling and sample preparation for polymeric components, the normative GC‑MS analytical procedure (extraction, separation and mass spectrometric detection), calculation of concentrations, precision and QA/QC requirements, plus informative annexes describing IAMS and HPLC alternatives.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited testing laboratories, OEMs and suppliers performing compliance testing, regulatory and conformity bodies, product safety and environmental compliance teams, and consultants working on restricted‑substances programs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62321‑6:2015 is the first edition published in June 2015. Users should check with their national standards body or the IEC webstore for any later amendments or confirmations, but the 2015 edition remains the published first edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It belongs to the IEC 62321 series (multiple parts) which collectively address determination of regulated and restricted substances in electrotechnical products; other parts cover sample preparation, screening techniques and methods for other regulated substances.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: PBB, PBDE, GC‑MS, polymers, brominated flame retardants, RoHS, analytical method, IAMS, HPLC, compliance testing.