Back to News Section Home

ISO Develops Standard Based on Radiocarbon Dating Techniques

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing an air quality standard that involves radiocarbon sampling and measurement. This standard, ISO/NP 13833, is exclusive for stationary combustion emission sources.

ISO/NP 13833, which has been under development since July 2009, is used when determining the speciation of biogenic and fossil-derived carbon dioxide emissions. The ISO Technical Committee 146/SC 1 is developing the standard with Mr. Ente J. Sneek of the Netherlands at the helm. Mr. Sneek’s term as the committee’s chairperson will end at the end of 2010.

The ISO/NP 13833 is not the first industrial application of radiocarbon dating. The two other standards known to use radiocarbon dating techniques are ASTM D6866 and CEN 15747. ASTM D6866 is able to determine the renewable content of most materials by measuring the amount of carbon 14 present. It can be used for carbon dioxide emissions, waste fuels, biofuels, bioplastics, and other biopolymers. CEN 15747 is exclusive for solid recovered fuels and is only used in Europe.

Source: ISO 13833 Web page