Overview - ISO 4716:2013 (Vetiver essential oil)
ISO 4716:2013 specifies physicochemical and chromatographic characteristics used to assess the quality of vetiver essential oil (Chrysopogon zizanioides, syn. Vetiveria zizanioides) produced in Reunion Island, China, Haiti, Indonesia, Madagascar, Brazil and Comoros. The standard defines appearance, odour, quantitative test limits and analytical methods to facilitate consistent quality control and trade of vetiver oil.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and origins: Applies to vetiver oil from Reunion Island, China, Haiti, Indonesia, Madagascar, Brazil and Comoros. “Bourbon type” covers Reunion, Comoros and Madagascar.
- Physical characteristics
- Appearance: viscous liquid
- Colour: yellowish-brown to reddish-brown
- Odour: characteristic woody, earthy
- Analytical parameters (specified at 20 °C)
- Relative density (d20) - origin-dependent minimum/maximum ranges
- Refractive index (n20) - origin-dependent ranges
- Optical rotation (at 20 °C on a 10% solution) - positive values with origin-specific ranges
- Miscibility in ethanol 80% - max 2 volumes of ethanol needed for 1 volume oil (slight opalescence allowed)
- Acid value - origin-dependent limits
- Flashpoint - information provided in Annex B (for transport/safety)
- Chromatographic profile
- Gas chromatography required per ISO 11024 guidance
- Normative identification and proportion ranges for marker compounds (β‑vetivenene, β‑vetivone, khusimol, α‑vetivone, isovalencenol)
- Due to viscosity, dilution with 1,8‑cineole to 50% mass fraction and use of a polar (polyethylene glycol) column is recommended; integration both with and without 1,8‑cineole
- Sampling and test methods
Applications and who uses ISO 4716:2013
- Quality control laboratories in fragrance, cosmetics and aromatherapy industries use the standard to verify vetiver oil authenticity and consistency.
- Producers and distillers use it to characterize origin-specific oil profiles and to meet buyer specifications.
- Buyers, traders and certification bodies use the standard for acceptance testing and trade compliance.
- Regulatory, transport and insurance stakeholders rely on flashpoint and labelling/storage guidance for safe handling.
- Analytical chemists reference the chromatographic profile and methods for routine GC analysis.
Related standards
Normative cross-references include ISO/TR 210, ISO/TR 211, ISO 212, ISO 279, ISO 280, ISO 592, ISO 875, ISO 1242 and ISO 11024 - all supporting sampling, testing, packaging, labelling and chromatographic analysis for essential oils.
Keywords: ISO 4716:2013, vetiver essential oil, Chrysopogon zizanioides, quality assessment, chromatographic profile, relative density, refractive index, acid value, gas chromatography, essential oils standards.