EN ISO 12219 Interior Air of Road Vehicles

The "EN ISO 12219 Interior Air of Road Vehicles" standard, which is a European standard and subsequently published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), consists of the following subsections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN ISO 12219-1 Interior air of road vehicles - Part 1: Whole vehicle test chamber - Specification and method for the determination of volatile organic compounds in cabin interiors” describes the whole vehicle test chamber, vapour sampling setup and operating conditions for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyl compounds in vehicle cabin air.

According to this standard, the following three measurements are performed:

• During simulation of ambient conditions without air exchange at standard conditions of 23-25 ​​degrees for volatile organic compounds and carbonyl compounds (ambient mode)
• Only for formaldehyde measurement at high temperatures (parking mode)
• For volatile organic compounds and carbonyl compounds (driving mode), simulating driving after the vehicle has been parked in the sun at high temperatures.

To simulate average solar irradiance, a constant irradiance is used throughout the vehicle test chamber. The VOC method is applicable to the measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs in concentration ranges from micrograms to a few milligrams per cubic meter. Using the principles outlined in this method, some semi-volatile organic compounds can also be analyzed.

Compatible compounds are compounds that can be captured and released from sorbent tubes as described in the ISO 16000-6 standard and include VOCs with volatility between n-C6 and n-C16.

The sampling and analysis procedure for formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds is performed by collecting air into cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and then analyzing it by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection by ultraviolet absorption. Formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds can be measured in concentrations ranging from approximately 1 µg/m3 to 1 mg/m3. This method is applicable to passenger cars.

This standard provides guidance on:

• Transport and storage of test tools until test start
• Conditioning of the test vehicle's environment, the test vehicle itself, and the entire vehicle test chamber
• Conditioning the test vehicle before measurements
• Simulation of ambient weather conditions (ambient mode)
• Formaldehyde sampling at high temperatures (parking mode)
• Driving simulation after the test vehicle is parked in the sun (driving mode)

The test method specified in this standard includes a procedure for screening for VOCs, formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds using sampling bags. This standard provides third-party testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with a cost-effective approach to:

• Evaluation and screening of prototype, low-diffusion materials or products during development
• Comparing diffusions from products within a specific range (e.g. different colors or patterns).

This standard specifies the design, construction, performance, evaluation and use of sampling bags for testing vapor-phase organic emissions from vehicle interior components.

This test method is a procedure for calculating sample bag values ​​for VOCs, formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds that may be emitted from vehicle interior components. One or more test samples placed in a sample bag are heated to a specified temperature, after which a portion of the gas in the sample bag is collected to measure the test concentrations. By comparing the test concentrations with the corresponding blank concentrations, the sample bag values ​​for VOCs, formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds emitted from a test sample can be calculated.

• The standard “EN ISO 12219-3 Part 3: Screening method for the determination of volatile organic compound emissions from vehicle interior parts and materials - Microscale chamber method” describes a rapid, qualitative and semi-quantitative screening method for organic compounds (volatile and some semi-volatile) in the vapor phase released from vehicle upholstery materials under simulated real-life conditions using microscale test chambers.

This method is designed for the evaluation of new vehicle interior trim components, but is in principle also applicable to used vehicle components. Target analytes include VOCs and volatile carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde. The analytical procedure specified for VOCs is ISO 16000-6, and for formaldehyde and certain other light carbonyl compounds is ISO 16000-3. The application specified in this standard complements existing standards.

This standard provides third-party testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with a cost-effective approach to:

• Monitoring and screening of VOC emissions as part of routine quality control
• Monitoring product uniformity or conformity between official certification tests
• Comparing emissions from products within a range (e.g. different colours or patterns)
• Evaluation of prototype, low-emission materials or products during development.

Small chambers are designed to provide a transfer function to vehicle-level emissions. This method is designed for the evaluation of new vehicle interior trim components, but can in principle also be applied to used vehicle components.

Target compounds include VOCs and volatile carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde. The analytical procedure specified for VOCs is ISO 16000-6, and for formaldehyde and certain other light carbonyl compounds is ISO 16000-3. This standard complements ASTM D5116 and VDA 276 and provides third-party testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with an approach to:

• To determine the impact of actual usage conditions on specific VOC emission data.
• To compare emissions from various assemblies for specific VOC emissions
• Assess and rank specific assemblies for specific VOC emissions data
• Provide specific VOC emission data to develop and validate a correlation between material-level methods and the vehicle-level method
• To evaluate prototype, “low-emission” assemblies during development.

Chamber emission testing aims to determine the characteristic emission level of the unit component installed in the vehicle. It also specifies the emission test chamber, test sample preparation, connection of vapor sampling devices, and test conditions. This method is applicable to new vehicle interior unit components designed for vehicles and can also be used for vehicles removed from the vehicle interior or used.

A range of multi-unit components may be applied depending on the test purpose. If confirmatory information on unit component emissions between this method and the small chamber method (ISO 12219-4 standard) is required, a dynamic mode operation of the emission chamber may be applied. The analytical procedure specified for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (ISO 16000-6 standard) is valid for the determination of VOCs in concentrations ranging from less than µg/m3 to a few mg/m3. This method is also valid for the measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs with volatilities ranging from n-C6 to n-C16. Some highly volatile compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds may also be analyzed.

This standard complements existing standards and provides third-party testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with an approach to:

• To compare emissions from various unit components (subassemblies) with VOC emissions from corresponding completed assemblies measured in other tests
• Evaluate and categorize specific unit components based on VOC emission data
• Compare and correlate emissions from unit components with VOC emissions data obtained in other tests for the various materials used to make the unit component
• Evaluate prototype, low-emission unit components during development.

This standard can be implemented as an optional addendum to ISO 12219-4 , enabling VOC, volatile carbonyl, and semi-volatile organic compound testing to be completed within one day.

This standard was introduced to provide insight into the emission behavior and emission potential of selected vehicle interior components and materials exposed to higher temperatures. Traditionally, 100 degrees Celsius is set as the maximum temperature.

The test is conducted in small emissions test chambers (small chambers). These chambers are designed to provide a transfer function for vehicle-level emissions. This method is designed for evaluating new vehicle interior trim components, but in principle, it can also be applied to used vehicle components.

The analytical procedure specified for semi-volatile organic compounds and semi-volatile carbonyls is ISO 16000-6. This standard complements existing standards and provides third-party testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with an approach to:

• To determine the impact of actual usage conditions on specific VOC and semi-volatile organic compound emission data.
• To compare emissions from various assemblies in terms of specific VOC and semi-volatile organic compound emissions
• Assess and rank specific assemblies for specific VOC and semi-volatile organic compound emissions data
• Provide specific VOC and semi-volatile organic compound emission data to develop and validate a correlation between component level methods and in-vehicle air quality
• Evaluating prototype, low-emission assemblies during development.

The method described can be performed as a high temperature test only or in combination with the determination of VOCs at 65 degrees in a single run as described in the ISO 12219-4 standard.

• The standard "EN ISO 12219-7 Part 7: Odor determination by odor measurements in the interior air of road vehicles and in the test chamber air of trim components" describes a standardized and objective process for analyzing and determining the odor behavior of components, semi-finished products, and materials installed in the interior of road vehicles. Odor determination is performed using samples taken from the interior air of road vehicles or the air of an emissions test chamber.

This standard describes an olfactory screening method based on different olfactory assessment scales, which are described in the annexes. Other olfactory assessments, such as those in ISO 16000-28, are also possible but are not the focus of this document.

Odor emissions from interior upholstery and trim components of road vehicles are measured using a sensory odor panel. Odor sampling from material parts or the entire vehicle cabin can be performed using the sampling bag method described in this standard. Odor detection can be performed simultaneously with chemical emission measurements in accordance with ISO 12219-1 and ISO 12219-4. This standard provides an odor screening method based on different scales for odor assessment described in the annexes.

• The standard "EN ISO 12219-8 Part 8: Handling and packaging of materials and components for emission testing" describes the selection, preparation, conditioning, packaging, labeling, transportation, and storage of materials and components, including, but not limited to, volatile organic compound (VOC) testing, fogging testing, and odor testing. It pays particular attention to materials susceptible to contamination or rapid evaporation of emissions to ensure repeatable and accurate test results.
• The standard "EN ISO 12219-9 Part 9: Determination of volatile organic compound emissions from vehicle interior components - Big bag method" describes a big bag sampling method for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and other carbonyl compounds emitted from vehicle interior components into the air inside road vehicles. This method is designed for the evaluation of large new vehicle interior components and complete assemblies.

This is a screening method for routinely comparing similar automotive components under similar test conditions. Assessing VOC emissions from vehicle interior components is an important element of vehicle indoor air quality. This standard complements existing standards and provides testing laboratories and the manufacturing industry with a cost-effective assessment of vehicle interior components. This method is only applicable to newly manufactured vehicle components. This method is applicable to all types of vehicles and vehicle products used as components in vehicle interiors.

• The standard “EN ISO 12219-10 Part 10: Whole vehicle test chamber - Specification and methods for the determination of volatile organic compounds in cabin interiors - Trucks and buses” describes the whole vehicle test chamber, the vapour sampling setup and the operating conditions for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyl compounds in vehicle cabin air.

According to this standard, the following three measurements are performed:

• During simulation of ambient conditions at 23 degrees and without air exchange for volatile organic compounds and carbonyl compounds (ambient mode)
• Only for formaldehyde measurement at high temperatures (parking mode)
• For volatile organic compounds and carbonyl compounds (driving mode), simulating driving after the vehicle has been parked in the sun at high temperatures.

To simulate average solar irradiance, constant irradiance is used throughout the entire vehicle test chamber. The VOC method is applicable for measuring non-polar and slightly polar VOCs in a concentration range from micrograms to a few milligrams per cubic meter. Using the principles described in this method, some semi-volatile organic compounds can also be analyzed. Compatible compounds include VOCs with volatilities between n-C6 and n-C16 that can be captured and released from sorbent tubes as described in the ISO 16000-6 standard.

This method is applicable to trucks and buses, as defined in the ISO 3833 standard. This standard describes:

• Transport and storage of the test vehicle until the start of the test.
• Conditioning of the test vehicle's environment, the test vehicle itself, and the entire vehicle test chamber.
• Conditioning the test vehicle before measurements.
• Simulation of ambient weather conditions (ambient mode).
• Formaldehyde sampling at high temperatures (parking mode).
• Driving simulation after the test vehicle was parked in the sun (driving mode).

Materials are characterized for the type and quantity of organic substances that can be gasified. For this purpose, two semi-quantitative sum values ​​are determined, allowing for the estimation of the proportion of volatile organic compounds (VOC value) and the proportion of condensable substances (low-volatile fogging compound value). Furthermore, individual emission substances are determined. During analysis, samples are thermally extracted, emissions are separated by gas chromatography, and detected by mass spectrometry.

The test method presented in this standard provides values ​​valid only for the conditions described in this standard. The results obtained with this method are not suitable for further prediction of the health effects of emitted substances and should not be used as a basis for results that might be found in the interior of a stationary vehicle while driving or in driving-like conditions.

• The standard “EN ISO 12219-12 Part 12: Test methods for the determination of the fogging properties of upholstery materials made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane for the interior of automobiles” describes test methods aimed at determining the fogging properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane textiles used as trim materials in the interior of motor vehicles.

These methods are applicable to the liquid, paste, powder, or solid raw materials from which such trim materials are based or from which they are produced. The methods are also applicable to other materials and finished products. The procedures are applicable to the measurement of fogging condensation on glass surfaces within the limits of the test conditions.

These tests do not or cannot accurately measure:

• If the surface tension of the condensate is low and this causes premature coalescence into a thin transparent film
• Condensation is present in such large quantities that the droplets coalesce to form a heavy, oily/transparent film (this heavy film will cause inaccurate readings)

In such cases, the gravimetric method is used.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, employs a team of experienced professionals and a broad infrastructure to conduct testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN ISO 12219 "Road Vehicle Interior Air" standard.