ISO 19817-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 19817:2017 — Essential oil of thyme [Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.], thymol type. This international standard specifies the characteristics and quality-assessment criteria for thymol-type thyme essential oil used in commerce and laboratory control.

Abstract

ISO 19817:2017 defines the physical properties, chromatographic profile expectations and associated test method references for the thymol type of thyme essential oil (from Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis), to facilitate consistent quality assessment for production, trade and analytical laboratories.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed).
• Publication date: 21 November 2017 (Edition 1, 2017); last reviewed/confirmed in 2023.
• Publisher: ISO — International Organization for Standardization.
• ICS / categories: 71.100.60 — Essential oils.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 7 (ISO published document PDF length).

Scope

This document specifies characteristics of the essential oil of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.), thymol type, obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops. It is intended to facilitate the assessment of quality for trade, production control and laboratory testing by defining required physical properties, a normative chromatographic profile and references to applicable test methods and related guidance standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and botanical source: thymol-type oils from Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis.
• Physical properties: typical ranges for relative density, refractive index and optical rotation are specified (test methods referenced to ISO standards such as ISO 279, ISO 280 and ISO 592).
• Chromatographic profile (normative): gas chromatographic component ranges and a required profile for key constituents (e.g., thymol, p‑cymene, γ‑terpinene, linalool, carvacrol) are given and used as acceptance criteria for the thymol type.
• Analytical and test-method references: GC profile guidance and methods referenced to ISO chromatographic and sampling standards (ISO 11024 series, ISO 212 for sampling, and related ISO/TS documents for handling, packaging and labelling).
• Packaging, labelling and storage recommendations referenced to ISO/TS guidance; sampling and minimum sample sizes for testing noted.

Typical use and users

Used by essential-oil producers, refiners and packagers, quality-control and analytical laboratories, ingredient purchasers in the flavour, fragrance, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and regulatory or conformity-assessment bodies to verify identity, composition and quality of thymol-type thyme oil.

Related standards

Replaces ISO 14715:2010 (oil of thyme containing thymol, Spanish type). Normative and informative references include ISO 11024 (chromatographic profiles), ISO 212 (sampling), ISO 279 (density), ISO 280 (refractive index), ISO 592 (optical rotation), ISO/TS 210 and ISO/TS 211 (packaging, storage, labelling) and other ISO/TC 54 publications on essential-oil characterization.

Keywords

thyme essential oil; thymol type; Thymus vulgaris; Thymus zygis; essential oils; chromatographic profile; GC; refractive index; optical rotation; density; ISO 19817; quality assessment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 19817:2017 is an ISO international standard that specifies the characteristics and quality-assessment criteria for thymol-type thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definition of the thymol type, required physical properties, a normative gas-chromatographic profile (component ranges and limits), sampling references and related recommendations for packaging, labelling and storage to support consistent quality evaluation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Essential-oil manufacturers and traders, analytical laboratories, purchasers in flavour/fragrance/cosmetic/pharma sectors, and regulators or conformity-assessment bodies concerned with product identity and quality.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — published 21 November 2017 (Edition 1) and confirmed on review in 2023. It replaces ISO 14715:2010 for thymol-type thyme oils.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of ISO/TC 54’s body of essential-oil standards and is linked by normative references to ISO series and ISO/TS guidance documents covering chromatographic profiling, sampling, packaging, storage and labelling of essential oils.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thyme essential oil, thymol, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis, chromatographic profile, essential oils, quality assessment, ISO 19817.