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).