TS EN IEC 62321-3-4

TS EN IEC 62321-3-4 is a test standard focused on screening specific phthalates in polymers used in electrotechnical products. It addresses procedures for detecting di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In practical terms, it helps users understand how phthalate screening is approached for polymer-based parts and components in electrical and electronic applications.

Technical framework of the screening methods

The normative part of the document describes HPLC-UV, TLC and TD-MS techniques. These methods rely on different analytical principles: HPLC-UV uses chromatographic separation with ultraviolet detection, TLC provides a simpler separation-and-comparison approach, and TD-MS combines thermal desorption with mass spectrometric identification for screening purposes. In general technical practice, such methods are used for rapid preliminary assessment of additives or unwanted compounds in polymer materials.

Scope boundaries and supporting content

The scope is limited to polymers, rather than to metals, ceramics or general product inspection, and it is directed specifically at electrotechnical products. FT-IR is included in the informative annexes, which means it is presented as supplementary context rather than as the main normative test method in this document. Phthalates are widely known as plasticising additives, so reliable screening is useful in material selection, incoming inspection and broader quality-control workflows.