ISO 4720-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 4720-2018 — Essential oils — Nomenclature. This International Standard provides an authoritative list of botanical (scientific) names of plants used for the production of essential oils together with the corresponding common names of those essential oils; an alphabetical index of common names is included.

Abstract

The standard lists accepted botanical names and the standardized common names for essential oils to ensure consistent naming in trade, testing, labelling and technical documentation. It is intended as a nomenclature/vocabulary reference for industry, laboratories and regulators working with essential oils and aromatic raw materials.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; to be reviewed/revised under ISO review cycle).
• Publication date: August 2018 (published as edition 4, 2018-08).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.040.71 (Chemical technology — Vocabularies), 71.100.60 (Essential oils).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2018).
• Number of pages: 21 pages (ISO published document).

Scope

ISO 4720:2018 gives a consolidated list of botanical names for plants used to produce essential oils and the associated common names of those oils. The scope is limited to nomenclature (naming/term harmonization) rather than analytical methods, purity criteria or specification limits. An alphabetical index of common names is provided for quick reference.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized botanical (Latin) names for plants used as sources of essential oils.
• Standardized common names (English/French where applicable) for essential oils to harmonize labeling and trade terminology.
• Alphabetical index of common names for rapid lookup.
• Reference vocabulary for regulatory, commercial and laboratory documentation — does not set quality or analytical requirements.

Typical use and users

Used by essential-oil producers, perfumers, flavor and fragrance houses, analytical and testing laboratories, standards writers, regulatory bodies, customs and trade professionals, botanical taxonomists and procurement teams to ensure consistent naming, avoid ambiguity in contracts and labels, and support harmonized reporting and documentation.

Related standards

Standards relevant to aromatic raw materials and specific essential oils produced by ISO/TC 54 are commonly used alongside ISO 4720; examples include ISO 9235 (Aromatic natural raw materials — Vocabulary, updated edition), and product-specific standards such as ISO 3515 (Oil of lavender) and sector-specific essential-oil specifications (for example standards covering tea tree oil have been maintained under ISO 4730 and later editions). Where a product specification or analytical method is needed, consult the relevant ISO product-specific standard.

Keywords

essential oils, nomenclature, botanical names, common names, aromatic raw materials, vocabulary, ISO 4720, ISO/TC 54, labelling, trade terminology

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 4720:2018 is an ISO International Standard that defines and consolidates the botanical (Latin) names of plants used for essential-oil production and the corresponding common names of those essential oils.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers nomenclature only — standardized plant botanical names, standardized common names for essential oils, and an alphabetical index of common oil names. It does not specify quality limits, analytical methods or safety requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Producers, traders, perfumers, flavor houses, testing laboratories, regulators and standards writers use it to ensure consistent naming and avoid ambiguity in specifications, labels and contracts.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 4720:2018 is the current published edition (edition 4, 2018). The ISO record shows the document is subject to normal ISO review/revision cycles and a committee draft (ISO/CD 4720) has been recorded as the next step in its revision process. Users should confirm the latest status when planning regulatory or contractual work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a nomenclature/reference vocabulary within the suite of ISO standards for aromatic raw materials and essential oils developed by ISO/TC 54. It complements vocabulary and product standards (for example ISO 9235 for aromatic raw materials vocabulary and various ISO product standards for individual oils).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: essential oils; botanical names; common names; nomenclature; vocabulary; ISO 4720; aromatic raw materials; labelling; trade terminology.