TS EN 17399

TS EN 17399 is a vocabulary standard for terms used in the field of algae and algae products. It treats algae as a functional group that includes microalgae, macroalgae, cyanobacteria and Labyrinthulomycetes, which gives the subject a broader technical frame than a simple biological label. The result is a shared language for discussing products, properties and functions connected with algae-based materials.

How the terminology is organised

Vocabulary standards do not set performance thresholds or testing requirements; their role is to make sure concepts are used consistently. That matters here because algae and algae products appear in several technical contexts, including food, feed, biobased products, raw materials and environmental applications. Clear terminology helps separate a function, a product category and a property so that the same material is not described in incompatible ways across different sectors.

Why the functional-group view matters

In general technical use, algae may be discussed as biomass sources, organisms, ingredients or process inputs, depending on the application. Microalgae and macroalgae are often associated with biomass production and extraction, while including cyanobacteria and Labyrinthulomycetes shows how the standard frames the broader biological and industrial landscape around algae-related terminology. The standard’s value lies in making that conceptual frame consistent for users who need precise, shared definitions.

In short, TS EN 17399 is a reference vocabulary for algae and algae products. It focuses on terminology alignment rather than test methods, numerical limits or product approval criteria.