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Determination of Phthalates According to EN 16521

Phthalates represent a broad class of substances, chemically defined as esters of phthalic acid. These esters have been widely used in various consumer products due to their plasticizing properties. Their primary application is as plasticizers in polymer materials.

However, some phthalates are classified as endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxicants. As a result, their use is restricted or banned in certain products, such as toys, cosmetics, and food-contact materials.

VUOS laboratory offers fast and reliable determination of 16 selected phthalates in accordance with EN 16521, using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). The following compounds are included:

Abbreviation:

Compound:

Abbreviation:

Compound:

DMP

Dimethyl phthalate

DHP

Di-n-hexyl phthalate

DEP

Diethyl phthalate

BBP

Butyl benzyl phthalate

DIBP

Diisobutyl phthalate

DBEP

Bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate

DBP

Dibutyl phthalate

DCHP

Dicyclohexyl phthalate

DMEP

Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate

DEHP

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

DMPP

Bis(4-methyl-2-pentyl) phthalate

DPP

Diphenyl phthalate

DEEP

Bis(2-ethoxyethyl) phthalate

DNOP

Di-n-octyl phthalate

DAP

Diamyl phthalate

DNP

Di-n-nonyl phthalate

The EN 16521 method is primarily intended for simpler cosmetic formulations. However, analysis can also be performed on more complex matrices when appropriate sample preparation is applied. We use a gas chromatograph (GC-2030 Nexis) coupled with a mass spektrometry detector (GCMS-QP2050), equipped with an integrated headspace sampler (HX-20 NX).