EN 12766 Petroleum Products and Used Oils - Determination of PCBs and Related Products

A European standard “EN 12766 Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related products The standard consists of the following subsections published under the same title:

• The standard "EN 12766-1 Part 1: Separation and determination of selected PCB compounds by gas chromatography (GC) using an electron capture detector (ECD)" describes a method for determining the concentration of up to 12 individual or identified, undissolved minor polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in petroleum products and related materials by means of a specific gas chromatographic separation procedure. The gas chromatographic separation is applicable to the different quantification procedures described in EN 12766-2.

This standard applies to virgin, used, and processed (e.g., dechlorinated) petroleum products, including synthetic lubricating oils, and to petroleum products and synthetic lubricating oils appropriately recovered from other materials (e.g., waste materials). The nominal application range depends on the process; the lower limit per single congener is approximately 0,2 mg/kg.

This standard does not apply to insulating liquids for which a different method (EN 61619) is available. Depending on current regulations, measurement of total or individual PCB components may be required. EN 61619 can be used as an alternative method for determining total PCBs using the cleaning step described in this standard.

In principle, a sample preparation (cleanup) procedure is used to remove most impurities likely to affect stability. The cleanup procedure is selected based on the sample type. PCB congeners are determined by gas chromatography using a high-efficiency narrow-bore capillary column, an electron capture detector, and an internal standard.

• “EN 12766-2 The standard, "Part 2: Calculation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Content," describes two calculation procedures for PCB content (Method A and Method B). The basis for this calculation is taken from the chromatographic results of EN 12766-1, which describes all experimental procedures required for the specific analysis of virgin, used, and processed (i.e., dechlorinated) petroleum products, including synthetic lubricating oils and vegetable oil blends. This method is also applicable to petroleum products and synthetic lubricating oils appropriately recovered from other materials, such as waste materials. Both methods have distinct strengths and weaknesses that should be considered. The correct application of either Method A or Method B should be carefully evaluated before using it in a specific application.

When using Method A, special care must be taken to avoid interference from non-PCB substances that may appear in the chromatogram. Therefore, Method A can be used primarily for the analysis of used and unused insulating oils. It is recommended that Method A not be used for products other than those mentioned above without taking special precautions. Method A may produce two alternative sets of results. Therefore, care must be taken to correctly interpret these results.

Method B uses the sum of the six most abundant congeners in nearly all technical PCB materials as an intermediate result, thus minimizing potential interference from other (co-eluting) non-PCB substances. To obtain the PCB content, the subtotal of the six congeners must be multiplied by a multiplication factor. Method B is suitable for the analysis of liquids derived from used and waste materials, particularly those of unknown origin, and for samples with low PCB content.

• The standard “EN 12766-3 Part 3: Determination and quantification of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) content by gas chromatography (GC) using electron capture detector (ECD)” describes a test method for the determination of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) and polychlorinated benzyl toluenes (PCBT) in petroleum products and related materials by means of a specific gas chromatographic separation procedure.

This standard applies to virgin, used and processed (e.g. dechlorinated) petroleum products, including synthetic lubricating oils, petroleum products suitably recovered from other materials (e.g. waste materials), and blends of synthetic lubricating oils and vegetable oils.

This standard was developed as an extension of EN 12766-1 and EN 12766-2 to provide a method for determining total PCB content in accordance with EU directive 96/59/EC. Total PCB content is calculated by summing the PCB content determined according to EN 12766-2 and the PCTs and PCBTs according to this standard.

The three classes of materials measured in this standard may be quantified if they are present at concentrations higher than those given in the table titled “Quantification concentrations” within the standard.

Actual field conditions may result in more limited or improved application ranges, depending on the concentrations within the three different classes. It is the user's responsibility to demonstrate that analysis was performed within a valid calibrated concentration range.

The EN 12766 standards, which specify testing methods for petroleum products and used oils and cover a wide range of tests for properties such as physical properties, chemical composition and performance measures, are vital for several reasons:

• Quality control and consistency:
  • Testing consistency: These standards ensure consistent and reliable testing of petroleum products and used oils across laboratories and industries. This consistency helps maintain product quality and reliability, which is important for both manufacturers and consumers.
  • Product compliance: For companies producing petroleum products, these standards verify that their products meet specific regulatory or market-driven quality requirements. They ensure that products perform as expected in their intended applications.
• Environmental protection:
  • Pollution control: Used oil, in particular, can be hazardous if not handled properly. These standards help determine the level of harmful substances in oil, allowing industries to ensure they are not releasing pollutants into the environment. They also help assess whether the oil can be recycled or needs to be disposed of safely.
  • Sustainability: Standards for petroleum products and used oils are crucial to encourage the reuse or recycling of oils, reduce waste, and minimize the negative environmental impacts of improper disposal.
• Health and safety:
  • Worker safety: Used oils and some petroleum products can pose health hazards if they contain harmful chemicals or have deteriorated to the point of posing a risk to workers. These standards help assess the potential risks in these oils and ensure safety protocols are followed during handling, storage, and disposal.
  • Engine protection: Standards for products such as motor oils or industrial lubricants ensure that oils meet the viscosity, oxidation stability and other properties necessary to protect machinery and engine components, reducing the risk of failure or degradation.
• Legal compliance:
  • Regulatory Compliance: In many regions, including Europe, laws and regulations require petroleum products to meet certain standards. These standards help companies comply with these regulations and avoid fines or legal problems.
  • Harmonization: Because these standards have been adopted across various European countries, they create uniformity in the testing and classification of petroleum products across the continent. This makes it easier for businesses to trade across borders and creates a level playing field in the marketplace.

In short, EN 12766 standards play a crucial role in ensuring that petroleum products and used oils are safe, effective, environmentally friendly, and legally compliant. They are important for producers, consumers, regulators, and the environment.

Our organization, which has been supporting businesses across all sectors for years through a wide range of testing, measurement, analysis, and evaluation activities, has a strong team of employees who closely follow global developments in science and technology and are constantly improving themselves. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 12766 Petroleum products and used oils - Determination of PCBs and related products standard.