3.1 Rosin is an important product of the centuries old Naval Stores industry, now known as the Pine Chemical industry, and is produced and consumed in many countries throughout the world. Consequently, reliable methods of sampling and grading rosin are necessary. The test methods based on the use of the USDA Official Standards described herein, were developed many years ago for the sampling and grading of rosin and are similar to those included in the Naval Stores Act.3

3.2 Although these test methods based on the use of the USDA Official Standards are still applicable, many additional test methods are now used to grade rosin. In particular, the color of rosin is now more commonly reported using the Gardner color scale rather than the USDA Official Standards. In addition, Test Methods E28, D465, and D5974 are widely used to assess the quality of rosin in addition to the color grading methods described in this standard. The Naval Stores Act of 1923 established the methods for grading rosin and authorized the “Official Naval Stores Standard of the United States”. Based upon a request from the chairman of the ASTM D01.34 Pine Chemicals and Hydrocarbon Resins subcommittee requesting that the Gardner color scale be used for grading the color of rosin, a letter from the Food and Drug Administration was received and is archived in Pine Chemicals Association4 files. It documents a no-objection response to the request to use the Gardner color scale as a standard for grading rosin and rosin derivatives. The no-objection response was conditioned on having a reliable correlation between the USRG Scale (the “Official Naval Stores Standard of the United States”) and the Gardner Color Scale. A correlation study of color measurements on the Gardner Color Scale and the USRG Scale was carried out by scientists at Tintometer, Inc, Amesbury, England. The results of the correlation were submitted to the Food and Drug Administration as supporting evidence for the use of the Gardner Color Scale in measuring or grading the color of rosin and rosin derivatives.

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for sampling and determining the grade of rosin delivered in commercial bags, barrels, drums or in molten form. Although developed for rosin, these methods can also be used for the grading of modified rosins and rosin based resins.

Note 1: All rosin sold in interstate commerce must be described by reference to the U. S. Standards for rosin, and is therefore subject to grading prior to such sale. The grading procedure described in these test methods is used for checking grades or regrading after the rosin has moved from the primary markets to distributing or consuming points.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.