What is ISO 16000?
ISO 16000 is a multi-part ISO series of reference methods for indoor air: sampling strategy, laboratory determination of specific pollutants and emission testing of building products.
Who uses it
Indoor air laboratories, building product manufacturers, consultants and certification programs cite ISO 16000 parts when a result has to stand up to scrutiny, for example in a complaint investigation or a product emission label. Because each test samples air and analyzes it in a laboratory, results describe a short window, not a continuous record.
Parts most often cited
Titles as listed by ISO:
- Part 1 (2004): general aspects of sampling strategy
- Part 3 (2022): formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds by active sampling
- Part 6 (2021): VVOC, VOC and SVOC by active sampling on sorbent tubes, thermal desorption and gas chromatography
- Part 11 (2024): sampling, storage and preparation of building product specimens for VOC emission testing
Using continuous VOC data to time reference sampling
Sensors and ISO 16000 methods answer different questions. Aqueduct tracks a VOC index per zone continuously, which shows when concentrations rise, for instance a nightly climb during cleaning, and which zones are affected. That tells a laboratory when and where to sample, rather than booking a test on a quiet day.