Overview
ISO 9841:2013 - Essential oil of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L. ssp. officinalis) - specifies the key characteristics and test methods used to assess the quality of hyssop essential oil. The standard defines physical properties, a normative gas‑chromatographic profile, sampling minimums and referencing of established ISO test methods to ensure consistent quality control and product traceability.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Facilitates assessment of the quality of essential oil of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L. ssp. officinalis).
- Appearance, colour, odour: Clear, mobile liquid; pale yellow to brown‑yellow; characteristic odour.
- Physical constants:
- Relative density at 20 °C: 0.920 – 0.950
- Refractive index at 20 °C: 1.4750 – 1.4860
- Optical rotation at 20 °C: –25° to –10°
- Acid value: ≤ 2.0
- Chromatographic profile (normative): Gas chromatography required. Table 1 in the standard lists representative components and their required percentage ranges (e.g., β‑pinene 7.0–20.0%, isopinocamphone 25.0–45.0%, pinocamphone 8.0–25%, etc.). The chromatographic profile is a normative requirement for identification and quality assessment.
- Flashpoint: Informative mean value provided: +59 °C (value obtained with specified equipment; Annex B).
- Sampling: Per ISO 212; minimum test sample volume: 50 ml.
- Test methods: References to ISO test methods for density (ISO 279), refractive index (ISO 280), optical rotation (ISO 592), acid value (ISO 1242), and chromatographic profiling (ISO 11024).
- Packaging & labelling: Requirements and guidance referenced to ISO/TR 210 and ISO/TR 211.
Applications and users
ISO 9841:2013 is used for:
- Quality control and specification setting by essential oil producers and distillers.
- Analytical laboratories performing gas chromatography and physico‑chemical testing.
- Buyers, traders and brokers requiring certified product specifications.
- Cosmetics, fragrance, aromatherapy and pharmaceutical manufacturers verifying raw material identity and purity.
- Transport, insurance and safety officers referencing flashpoint information for handling and shipment.
- Regulatory and conformity assessment bodies assessing compliance and labelling.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 9841:2013, essential oil of hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis, chromatographic profile, gas chromatography, relative density, refractive index, optical rotation, acid value, flashpoint, sampling, quality control.