The Product Technology Study Group is concerned with the study of processes and procedures relating to tobacco processing and manufacturing facilities and with the description of tobacco and tobacco products in terms of physical properties, chemical properties and quality. Study Group activities include development of analytical methods for the determination of product properties, monitoring of engineering techniques and developments in tobacco processing, product manufacturing and environmental protection.
The Product Technology Study Group comprises the following Sub-Groups and Task Forces:
· Sub-Group Agrochemicals Analysis (1972)
Objectives:
To perform regular proficiency testing of Multi-Residue Methods for the analysis of pesticide residues on tobacco.
To produce a technical guideline for improving analytical methodology of the Multi-Residue Method.
· Sub-Group Routine Analytical Chemistry (1985)
Objectives:
To develop and update CORESTA Recommended Methods as requested by the Scientific Commission.
To check on an annual basis the CORESTA monitor test piece by conducting collaborative experiments.
· Sub-Group Environmental Protection in Production (1995)
Objectives:
To review and develop methodologies for the measurement and control of tobacco processing facility environmental impacts.
To exchange information on key emerging environmental issues.
To highlight elements of CORESTA activities relative to environmental issues.
· Sub-Group Monitoring and Maintenance of Physical Test Methods (2005)
Objectives:
To maintain existing CORESTA Recommended Methods (CRMs), pertinent to physical test methods related to cigarettes and cigarette components.
To organise and conduct annual collaborative studies in order to assure interlaboratory consistencies.
To develop user guidelines for the application of methods for physical measurements.
To identify the need for new methods or for methods to be harmonized.
To propose new Task Forces if required.
To use the results of the proficiency test for participating laboratories for continual improvement.
· Sub-Group Cigar Smoking Methods (2006)
Objectives :
To develop and update CORESTA Recommended Methods as requested by the Scientific Commission by investigating the technical problems associated with the mechanical smoking of cigars.
To conduct periodical collaborative studies in order to improve repeatability and reproducibility in different cigar sizes and types.
To establish confidence intervals for the smoke yields of all different cigar sizes.
To develop a method for the determination of carbon monoxide in cigar smoke.
· Task Force Low Ignition Propensity (LIP) (2004)
Objectives :
Identify and investigate points in the
ASTM E2187-04 method that
might be better specified in order to reduce the method variability, such
as:
- Substrate properties such as basis weight and permeability.
- Curling of substrate on storage.
- Position of items in the LIP box (ring, ashtray, etc.).
- Airflow control in and around the box.
- End point determination.
| Agronomy Study Group | Phytopathology Study Group | Smoke Science Group |
Any requests for further information and/or convenors' contact details should be addressed to the CORESTA Secretariat (see Contacts).