What is ISO 18218‑2 - Determination of ethoxylated alkylphenols about?
ISO 18218‑2 is a series of international standards on leather that discusses the best procedures and specifications required for the determination of ethoxylated alkylphenols.
ISO 18218‑2 specifies a method for determining alkylphenols (nonylphenol and octylphenol) and alkylphenol ethoxylates (nonylphenol ethoxylate and octylphenol ethoxylate) in leather and process auxiliaries. The analysis is based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis of the alkylphenol ethoxylate is made by cleaving the alkylphenol ethoxylate and measuring the released alkylphenol.
NOTE: ISO 18218-1 and ISO 18218‑2 use different solvents for the extraction of the ethoxylated alkylphenols from leather. Consequently, the two analytical methods are expected to give similar trends but not necessarily the same absolute result for the ethoxylated alkylphenol content in leather.
Who is ISO 18218‑2 - Determination of ethoxylated alkylphenols for?
ISO 18218‑2 on the determination of ethoxylated alkylphenols is relevant to:
- Leather manufacturer
- Research centers and laboratories
Why should you use ISO 18218‑2 - Determination of ethoxylated alkylphenols?
Nonylphenol ethoxylate belongs to the non-ionic surfactants. The biodegradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate releases the persistent pollutant branched nonylphenol. Nonylphenol is a hormonal acting substance that is toxic for waterborne organisms and many other organisms. For this reason, the release of nonylphenol ethoxylate into the environment shall be avoided.
ISO 18218‑2 provides guidance on apparatus and materials, chemicals, sampling, and sample preparation, calibration, calculation, test report.
ISO 18218‑2 specifies a procedure for analyzing the alkylphenol. The ethoxylated alkylphenol is cleaved to form the alkylphenol, which is identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipment. This method provided by ISO 18218‑2 helps you to indirectly determine the alkylphenol ethoxylate content in leather and process auxiliaries. With obedience and compliance to ISO 18218‑2, you can efficiently determine alkylphenols (nonylphenol and octylphenol) and alkylphenol ethoxylates (nonylphenol ethoxylate and octylphenol ethoxylate) in leather and process auxiliaries. ISO 18218‑2 provides you with comprehensive information useful throughout the process of testing.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 18218‑2:2019 supersedes BS EN ISO 18218‑2:2015, which is withdrawn.
BS EN ISO 18218‑2:2019 cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18218-2:2015), which has been technically revised as follows:
- Chemicals have been added
- Sampling and sample preparation have been technically revised
- 8.1 has been revised by including a reference to 6.14

