ISO 12966-4:2026

This document specifies a method for the determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) derived by transesterification or esterification from fats, oils, and fatty acids by capillary gas chromatography (GLC). FAMEs from C4 to C24 can be separated using this document including saturated FAMEs, cis- and trans-monounsaturated FAMEs, and cis- and trans-polyunsaturated FAMEs.

This document is applicable to crude, refined, partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated fats, oils and fatty acids derived from animal and vegetable sources, and fats extracted from foodstuff.

This document does not apply to milk and milk products (or fat coming from milk and milk products) or products supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

This document does not apply to di-, tri-, polymerized, hydroxylated and oxidized fatty acids, and fats and oils.

A method for the determination of the composition of FAMEs expressed by area % in liquid vegetable oils is proposed in AnnexE.