ISO 16000-6:2011 specifies a method for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air and in air sampled for the determination of the emission of VOCs from building products or materials and other products used in indoor environments using test chambers and test cells. The method uses Tenax TAÒ sorbent with subsequent thermal desorption and gas chromatographic analysis employing a capillary column or columns and a flame ionization detector and/or a mass spectrometric detector.

The method is applicable to the measurement of non-polar and slightly polar VOCs at concentrations ranging from sub-micrograms per cubic metre to several milligrams per cubic metre. Using the principles specified in this method, an annex describes how some very volatile compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds can also be analysed.