ISO Standard 15592-3 has been developed to determine nicotine free dry particulate matter ('tar') and nicotine in mainstream smoke of fine-cut tobacco smoking articles (FCSAs). Regular use of a reference material is recommended to assess if the analytical process is in control.

A first ESTA Monitor Tobacco ('EMT') blend was manufactured in 2004, following a large collaborative study with commercially available products performed between 2004 and 2006 where the major aim was to investigate fundamental questions in relation to repeatability and reproducibility and subsequent yield tolerances.

Since then, ESTA (European Smoking Tobacco Association) has offered interested laboratories the opportunity to participate in regularly conducted collaborative studies on ISO fine-cut tobacco smoke analysis using an EMT blend together with wrappers as specified by Annex B of the ISO Standard.

The purpose of these studies is to initially establish 'tar' and nicotine yields of the respective EMT blend and to provide a regular overview on repeatability and reproducibility.

Since they are carried out on an annual basis, the studies offer participants a means of proving their competence in ISO smoke analysis of fine-cut tobacco as required by ISO 17025.

Currently the third EMT blend ('EMT03') is in use and has been studied since 2009. Although the measurement of carbon monoxide ('CO') in mainstream smoke of fine-cut tobacco is not part of ISO 15592-3, this parameter has been included into the annual ESTA study since 2007.

Organisation of the annual EMT studies is supported by the ESTA Products Working Group - Technical Task Force and conducted in a fully anonymous way. Statistical evaluation is done in accordance with ISO 5725. In addition to the study reports provided to each participant, ESTA organises a meeting after each study for laboratory managers to exchange experience and address technical points of relevance observed during the study.

Participation in the EMT studies varies between 12 and 19 and includes laboratories from the tobacco industry, governmental institutes as well as privately-based independent laboratories.

The poster shows results of the 2011 study and also provides a comparison of results to those obtained in previous studies. Furthermore, the poster describes practical experience made with the EMT.