Government Chemist
The Environment Directorate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has prepared a document which covers the characterisation of Substances of Unknown or Variable Composition (UVCB), with specific reference to solvents which are mixtures of hydrocarbons mainly derived from petroleum-based feedstock. These mixtures are widely traded, and the ability to identify the substance(s) present is therefore important.
This document is valuable for organisations, including laboratories, seeking to characterise and describe such solvent mixtures. It explains how to classify various hydrocarbons which may be found in solvent mixtures, and references those analytical procedures which are appropriate for determining the detailed composition of UVCB solvent mixtures.