National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 21109:2025.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee AW/40, Tobacco and tobacco products.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 May 2025.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 126, Tobacco and tobacco products.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

Nicotine pouches are oral products that contain nicotine, a plant-based fibre base, and flavourings, but no tobacco leaf, stem or dust. The pH value of a nicotine pouch is required for calculating the amount of unprotonated nicotine (free-base nicotine) from the total nicotine content. For this reason, the accurate determination of pH is an important analytical measurement for product characterization.

In 2021, the CORESTA Tobacco and Tobacco Analytes Sub-Group (TTPA) conducted a large international collaborative study involving 16 laboratories and this study was used as the basis for this method.^[¹^],[²^] Results from this study were evaluated in basic conformance with ISO 5725‑2 to calculate repeatability and reproducibility values.

1 Scope

This document specifies a method for the determination of pH of nicotine pouches.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Principle

5 Apparatus

5.1

5.2 Orbital shaker or magnetic stirrer.

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

6 Reagents

6.1

6.2

7 Procedure

7.1 Test environment

7.2 Preparation of labware

7.3 Calibration of pH meter

7.4 Sample preparation and analysis

8 Repeatability and reproducibility

9 Test report

Bibliography

BS ISO 21109:2025

Nicotine pouches. Test method for pH

Current

Published:

31 May 2025

1 Scope